Space. The final frontier. For many kids, outer space represents adventure, exploration, and unlimited imagination. When it comes to the best space toys for 7 year olds, the options are vast and exciting. Whether your child dreams of piloting a rocket ship to Mars, discovering new galaxies, or just floating around in zero gravity, there are plenty of stellar space toys to make those dreams come true.
In this beginner’s guide, we’ll explore the most popular and educational space toys to consider for your 7 year old. From model rockets and remote control vehicles to science kits and telescopes, these toys will launch your kid’s passion for space while keeping them engaged and entertained for hours. Let’s blast off into the ultimate list of out-of-this-world space toys!
Why Space Toys are Great for 7 Year Olds
Space toys are some of the most stimulating and educational toys you can provide for 7 year olds. Here are some of the key benefits:
- Sparks imagination – Space toys encourage kids to imagine and roleplay adventures in space, whether pretending to be an astronaut, building a lunar colony, or flying through the solar system. This boosts creativity and imagination.
- Hands-on learning – From model rocket building to alien digging kits, space toys let kids actively learn through hands-on play. This reinforces STEM skills.
- Sense of wonder – Gazing through a telescope, kids experience the awe and wonder of space first-hand by seeing planets, stars, and more up close. This magical experience sticks with them.
- Future skills – Space toys can get kids interested in science, astronomy, engineering, and technology careers. This passion can last a lifetime.
With the right space toys, you can spark a lifelong love of space in your 7 year old.
Top Space Toys for 7 Year Olds
Model Rocket Kits
Building and launching model rocket kits is a rite of passage for generations of space enthusiasts. Model rockets allow 7 year olds to experience the thrill and science of real rocketry in miniaturized form.
Some of the best model rocket kits for beginners include:
- Estes Alpha Rocket Kit – This ready-to-assemble kit has a small plastic rocket with pre-colored fins that stands about 1 foot tall. It uses an Estes engine and launch pad for easy liftoff.
- Estes Flash Rocket Kit – Kids will love this 16-inch tall rocket with an eight-fin Cluster Beam configuration. The ignition system provides a realistic rocket launch experience.
- Mongoose Alpha Starter Set – With an 18-inch rocket and everything you need to assemble, paint, and fly it, this offers hours of creative fun.
Supervise launches carefully for best results. Model rocketry teaches kids physics, aerodynamics, and engineering principles while providing safe DIY thrills.
Telescopes
For kids fascinated by outer space, a telescope opens up close encounters with heavenly bodies like the Moon, planets, stars, and more. Affordable beginner telescopes for 7 year olds include:
- Educational Insights Nancy B’s Science Club Telescope – This high-quality beginner telescope comes with a guidebook to help kids learn to navigate the night sky.
- Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ – Offering ample aperture and powerful magnification in an easy-to-use design, this telescope brings stellar views of space to eager young astronomers.
- Meade Instruments Infinity 60 AZ Refractor Telescope – Perfect for viewing the rings of Saturn, craters of the Moon, and other celestial sights, this lightweight and portable pick is ideal for kids.
With adult supervision, a telescope enables kids to study the cosmos, understand concepts like orbiting planets and spinning galaxies, and gain first-hand scientific observation skills.
Astronaut Costumes and Roleplay Accessories
Every kid dreams of suiting up like a real astronaut and blasting off into space. Astronaut dress-up costumes and space explorer roleplay accessories allow 7 year olds to act out their interstellar fantasies. Fun space toys in this category include:
- Melissa & Doug Astronaut Role Play Costume – This brightly colored costume includes a white jumpsuit with NASA patches, helmet with visor, and oxygen tank backpack for exploring the cosmos in style.
- Playmobil Space Shuttle and Launch Pad – Kids can prepare a mission launch sequence complete with shuttle, fueling station, mission control, and astronauts. Add other Playmobil figures for endless roleplay fun.
- Exploration Space Explorer Learning Set – This STEM learning set comes with an astronaut action figure, space rover, picks, core sample tube, and more to dig for extraterrestrial “artifacts”.
Roleplaying as astronauts, space travelers, and intergalactic explorers inspires kids’ imaginations and gives them a taste of space adventure.
{{< image src=”space-kid.jpg” alt=”Child dressing up as an astronaut” caption=”Astronaut costumes allow kids to act out space adventures (Image source: Envato Elements)”>}}
Remote Control Vehicles
Roaring around the house or backyard in a remote-controlled space vehicle combines fun and imagination. RC space toys that provide zippy action for 7 year olds include:
- Galileo Educational Toy Space Shuttle – This realistic 1:100 scale replica of the famous space shuttle features motorized wheels, moving parts, headlights, and remote control operation.
- Kid Galaxy Morphibians Intergalactic Remote Control Car – Morphing from ground vehicle rover mode to rocket mode, this cool transforming RC racer zooms over all kinds of terrain.
- Rollplay 6V PlasmaBeam LED Light Up Rover – With working headlights, light-up wheels, and easy-to-use controls, kids can navigate their own lunar landscapes with this RC moon buggy.
Zooming through craters and around planets in remote controlled space vehicles combines motor skills, eye-hand coordination, and open-ended play for active kids.
Robot Toys
From funny robotic companions to programmable bots, interactive robot toys with space themes fascinate 7 year olds. Top futuristic robot toys include:
- Fisher Price Think & Learn Teach N’ Tag Movi – This friendly robotic alien responds to motion, lights, sounds, and programming input through 50+ interactive games and activities.
- Lego Boost Creative Toolbox Building and Coding Kit – Young makers can build five multifunctional bots including a Mars rover and then program them using an intuitive app.
- Learning Resources Botley 2.0 Programmable Robot Activity Set – Kids code Botley to navigate obstacles, follow paths, self-navigate, and express emotions for screen-free STEM learning.
As well as being seriously cool toys, interactive robots help reinforce early coding skills, problem solving, and critical thinking in kids.
Science Kits
Hands-on science kits that explore astronomy, rocketry, and interstellar topics make terrific STEM learning toys for curious 7 year olds. Top educational picks include:
- National Geographic Break Open 10 Geodes Kit – Budding rock hounds can chisel open 10 real geodes packed with sparkly crystals found in outer space and underground.
- Scientific Explorer My First Mind-Blowing Science Kit – This 20-piece set lets kids conduct classic experiments like making a sunset in a test tube, creating erupting colors, and building a working telescope.
- Thames and Kosmos Experiment with Rocket Launchers – Using a real pump rocket launcher, kids can launch up to 30 feet to learn about trajectory, propulsion, and other principles of physics.
With adult help, DIY science kits provide an enriching educational experience and set the foundation for a future in STEM fields.
{{< image src=”science-kit.jpg” alt=”Child using a science kit” caption=”Science kits let kids learn astronomy and physics concepts hands-on. (Image source: Envato Elements)”>}}
Glow in The Dark Toys
What’s cooler than space toys that glow? For kids fascinated by glowing gases in nebulae, supernovas, and other cosmic phenomena, these glow-in-the-dark toys add oodles of fun:
- Green Science Solar System Glow in The Dark Set – This 17-piece set includes glow planets, galactic moons, comets, astronaut, and alien figures for imaginary play.
- Playmags 100-Piece 3D Magnetic Tiles Building Set – Kids can build rockets, space stations, and more then watch them glow for stellar construction play.
- Dan&Darci 11-Pack Spinning Tops with LED Lights – These color-changing spinning tops flash 12 different LED light shows for mesmerizing solo or group play.
When the lights go out, glow in the dark space toys create a magical universe for kids to explore.
Outer Space Books
Curling up with a good book is a great way for space-loving kids to expand their knowledge. Some stellar space books for 7 year olds include:
- The Planets by Simon Basher – This clever book personifies each planet with unique characters kids will love. Rhyming facts provide info on the solar system.
- Mission to Pluto by Mary Kay Carson – Part of the Scientists in the Field series, this book goes behind-the-scenes to tell the epic story of the New Horizons mission.
- Max Goes to the Space Station by Jeffrey Bennett – Max the dog visits the International Space Station, explaining astronomy concepts along the way.
Pairing space toys with fascinating books enhances learning and helps strengthen kids’ interests. Check your local library for more outer space reads.
{{< image src=”space-book.jpg” alt=”Child reading a book about space” caption=”Space books spark kids’ curiosity about astronomy. (Image source: Envato Elements)”>}}
Gifts Sets and Bundles
For a well-rounded collection of space toys, choose a gift set or bundle. Popular space-themed gift sets include:
- Space Explorer Set – This 11-piece set includes astronaut dress-up accessories, space scene playmat, glow in the dark stickers, and an out of this world book.
- National Geographic Mega Space Exploration Set – Kids get over 1,000 pieces for astronomy adventures including a telescope, planetarium, AR viewer, and more STEM fun.
- Playmobil Mars Research Station Playset – This sizable playset comes with a station, vehicles, helicopter drone, astronauts, robot, and life support systems for living on Mars.
Gift sets provide great bang for your buck and everything kids need for endless space play and learning.
Choosing the Best Space Toys for Your 7 Year Old
With so many types of stellar space toys out there, it can be tricky to choose. Here are some helpful tips for picking the best space toys for your 7 year old:
- Go for their interests – Opt for space toys that appeal to their fascinations – whether that’s rocket building, astronomy, or pretend play.
- Consider their development – Look for toys like science kits or programmable bots that challenge their abilities and support growth.
- Think screen-free – Toys that engage their hands, minds, and creativity are ideal. Limit screen time.
- Focus on fun – Space toys should be entertaining above all else. Look for things they’ll excitedly play with for months or years.
- Emphasize education – While fun is key, toys that teach STEM skills give an added bonus.
Getting the right mix of enjoyment, stimulation, and learning powers their passion for space. For a child obsessed with the cosmos, the right space toy can make their dreams of exploring the universe come true.
Final Thoughts
At age 7, a child’s imagination and curiosity know no bounds. With the right space toys, you can send their creativity into orbit and spark a lifelong interest in astronomy, space science, and engineering. Whether they aspire to be an astronaut, robotics engineer, astrophysicist, or the first human on Mars, stellar space toys provide the launch pad for out-of-this-world adventures.
From unboxing their first model rocket kit to staying up late under the stars with their first telescope, special space toys create memories that will rocket kids to amazing places. The final frontier awaits. Explore it together and enjoy the wonders.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best space toys for 7 year old boys?
Some of the most popular space toys for 7 year old boys include model rocket kits, remote control vehicles like space rovers or shuttles, buildable robot toys, hands-on science kits for performing space experiments, and telescopes for exploring the night sky. Activating their desire to build, discover, and explore will send their space adventures into hyperdrive.
What are the best space toys for 7 year old girls?
From astronaut dress-up costumes and space-themed playsets to glittering glow in the dark toys, gifts like books about the solar system or real women astronauts, and science kits tailored for girls’ interests, there are loads of stellar space toys to suit 7 year old girls. Spark their science and engineering skills while encouraging imagination.
Where can I buy space toys for 7 year olds?
Space toys for 7 year olds can be found at major retailers like Amazon, Target, and Walmart. Specialty toy and hobby stores like Toys R Us and HobbyTown USA also carry great selections. For the biggest selections, look for toys and kits from top brands like Playmobil, Legos, Fisher Price, Melissa and Doug, Estes, and Educational Insights.
What makes space toys educational for kids?
From models to science kits, space toys use hands-on play to teach core STEM concepts like engineering, physics, astronomy, coding, chemistry, and more. They also boost skills like critical thinking, imagination, dexterity, and problem-solving. Kids learn better when they’re having fun!
How can I make DIY space toys on a budget?
With some household materials, you can make stellar DIY space toys like a handmade cardboard rocket or spaceship, aluminum foil alien space hats, a paper plate UFO with LED lights, outer space slime or putty, and a galaxy jar filled with glitter. Get creative and enjoy making DIY toys as a family.