Space. The final frontier. Since the beginning of human existence, we’ve gazed up at the cosmos in awe and wonder. Children especially love the mystery and excitement of outer space. Around age 4, many kids became fascinated with astronomy, rockets, planets, astronauts, and all things galactic.
Capitalize on your preschooler’s interest in the universe with stellar space-themed toys that educate and entertain. From model rockets to robot astronauts, we’ve got the lowdown on the top space toys to foster your little one’s imagination and early science skills. Houston, we have liftoff!
Types of Space Toys for Budding Astronauts
Rocket Ships
Blast off into imaginary worlds with model rocket ships. These STEM toys allow kids to recreate space missions from the comfort of their bedroom.
- Plastic models – Sturdy pretend play rockets ready for launch and landing. Great for whooshing around the house.
- Wooden models – Heirloom quality handcrafted rockets to spark creative adventures.
- Remote control – Experience the thrill of flight with RC rockets operated by a wireless controller.
Astronauts
Inspire your child to aim for the stars with astronaut figures for playtime.
- Action figures – Poseable astronaut dolls ready for moon landings and spacewalks.
- Plush toys – Cuddly stuffed animals dressed in spacesuits to join in the quest for the cosmos.
- Dress up costumes – Let your kid’s imagination soar with roleplaying astronaut outfit and accessories.
Space Shuttles
Recreate NASA space shuttle missions with these stellar toys.
- Playsets – Detailed space shuttle toys allow kids to pretend to be mission control directing takeoff and landing.
- Building sets – Assemble a space shuttle complete with rocket boosters and an external fuel tank using interlocking plastic bricks.
- Launchpads – Blaze a trail of pretend smoke as your shuttle takes off from a toy launch pad complete with a countdown sequence.
Planets and Solar System
Foster a love of astronomy with toys that bring the mysteries of the solar system to life.
- Glow-in-the-dark – Illuminated planets and moon globes that shine a cosmic bedtime light source.
- Mobiles – Suspended model planets provide out-of-this-world visual stimulation for infants.
- 3D puzzles – Crystal puzzle pieces snap together to build your own solar system model.
Educational Benefits of Space Toys
Along with fueling fun, many space-themed toys offer vital perks for developing minds.
Encouraging Curiosity and Exploration
Toys that inspire galactic make-believe naturally spark kids’ sense of wonder and discovery. From piloting toy rockets to sending astronaut toys on missions, their budding imaginations will blast off.
Developing Spatial Skills and Motor Skills
Assembling 3D solar system puzzles and building detailed LEGO space shuttles bolsters spatial reasoning, an important skill for STEM success. Grasping, launching, and maneuvering toy rockets also hones fine motor dexterity.
Learning About Space and Science
While playtime with space toys is purely for fun, kids soak up tons of stellar science facts along the way. From planet names to orbits to gravity, space toys reinforce astronomy concepts.
Fostering Creativity and Imagination
Free play with toys that spark stories involving space travel, alien encounters, and interplanetary exploration unleashes preschoolers’ creative thinking. Their pretend adventures know no limits.
Safety First! Key Considerations for Space Toys
While blasting off with space toys, keep safety top of mind with this stellar guidance:
Age-Appropriate Toys
Carefully read labels indicating recommended ages. Toys with small or detachable parts pose choking hazards for kids under 3 years old.
Non-Toxic Materials
Avoid toys made from lead and other harmful chemicals. Look for reputable brands that follow toy safety standards.
Battery Safety
For electronics requiring batteries, only allow kids to use new alkaline batteries installed correctly. Supervise battery changes.
Choking Hazards
Avoid any small parts, strings or cords longer than 7 inches and thin plastic film that could pose choking risks for little astronauts.
Top 10 Outer Space Toys for 4 Year Olds
Ready to explore uncharted toy territory? Here are 10 stellar space toys ideal for fostering your 4 year old’s cosmic curiosity.
1. Melissa & Doug Wooden Solar System Floor Puzzle
This 48-piece wooden jigsaw puzzle is assembled into a 4-foot wide-scale model of the solar system. The sturdy pieces feature each planet’s relative size and order from the sun. As kids assemble the planets, they grasp distances and orbits.
Age Range: 3 years and up
Pros
- Fun puzzle play develops spatial skills
- Large-scale visualizes the solar system
- Identifies planet names and sequences
Cons
- Assembly requires parental guidance
- Planet surfaces lack realistic detail
Price: $24.99
2. PLAYMOBIL Space Rocket with Launch Site
This detailed PLAYMOBIL set allows kids to pretend to be astronauts prepping a rocket for blastoff. It includes two astronaut figures, a rocket with removable booster rockets, and a launch pad with moving launch arms.
Age Range: 4 years and up
Pros
- Realistic details ignite the imagination
- Playmobil figures are durable
- Parts combine in many ways for open-ended play
Cons
- Lots of small parts require supervision
- Some assembly is needed
Price: $19.99
3. 4M Water Rocket Construction Kit
Kids can build their own rocket with this unique STEM toy and then launch it over 100 feet into the air using water power. All materials are included to assemble a 9-inch tall rocket attached to a launch pad.
Age Range: 6 years and up
Pros
- Sparks interest in aerospace engineering
- Fosters hands-on learning
- Reusable rockets can be launched over and over
Cons
- Requires adult supervision for assembly and launching
- Only for outdoor use
Price: $29.99
4. Firefly Light-Up Galaxy Explorer Spaceship
This colorful plastic rocket lights up and plays space sounds and phrases when kids press the buttons. The transparent top gives a glimpse of the “alien” inside. An open cockpit allows astronaut figures to pilot the ship.
Age Range: 3 years and up
Pros
- Engages imagination with lights and sounds
- Durable for light pretend play
- Friendly alien design
Cons
- Requires 2 AA batteries (included)
- Surface scratches easily
Price: $19.99
5. Ravensburger Solar System Puzzle
This 100-piece jigsaw puzzle creates a stunning image of celestial bodies in space when assembled. The glossy pieces present colorful planets ready to spark a child’s interest in astronomy basics.
Age Range: 4 years and up
Pros
- Beautiful imagery captures a child’s curiosity
- 100 pieces ideal for fine motor skills
- The completed size is large 2 x 2 feet
Cons
- Younger kids need help assembling
- Pieces are quite small
Price: $13.29
6. Educational Insights Design & Drill: Space Rover
Kids can blast through imaginative play by designing and then using a power drill (with plastic drill bits) to assemble a space rover. With 190 plastic bolts and an electric drill, creative fun will be out of this world.
Age Range: 3 years and up
Pros
- Sparks STEM creativity and active play
- Colorful bolts are sized for little hands
- Encourages problem-solving skills
Cons
- Adult supervision is required for drill use
- Fairly simplistic design options
Price: $24.99
7. Glow in the Dark Planets and Stars
Inspire dreams of the cosmos with these hand-painted resin space orbs that create a magical night sky when the lights go out. Includes planets, astronauts, rockets, and aliens. Just expose orbs to light then turn out the lights for a stellar glow.
Age Range: 3 years and up
Pros
- Glow in the dark effect delights kids
- Realistic planets and rockets
- Fosters an interest in space
Cons
- The glow effect diminishes over time
- Small parts are choking hazards
Price: $24.95
8. CASDON Little Helper’s Space Rocket Toddler Playset
With chunky rockets, an astronaut figure, and accessories, this playset allows toddlers to act out intergalactic adventures. The plastic rocket detaches for launch and landing play. For ages 18 months and up.
Age Range: 18 months and up
Pros
- Chunky design safe for toddlers
- Cute astronaut figure
- Detachable parts for pretend play
Cons
- Limited styling and realism
- Durability might be low
Price: $39.99
9. Osmo Little Genius Starter Kit
This award-winning STEM toy uses an iPad and physical accessories to engage preschoolers in hands-on playful learning. Space-themed Osmo games teach early physics, problem-solving, and more through games with space rockets.
Age Range: 3-5 years
Pros
- Blends digital play with physical interaction
- Teaches STEM topics through games
- Engaging even for non-readers
Cons
- Requires iPad and setup
- Can be distracting without adult engagement
Price: $79.99
10. Coogam Wooden Solar System Building Set
Kids construct a tactile model of the solar system with 79 painted wooden blocks representing each planet and components like orbits, asteroids, satellites, astronauts and more. Fosters STEM learning.
Age Range: 3 years and up
Pros
- Hands-on educational model
- Wooden components are durable
- Fosters spatial reasoning skills
Cons
- Small parts are choking hazards
- Minimal instructions; adult assistance needed
Price: $32.99
Blast Off into Outer Space with DIY Toys
Don’t just buy space toys – make them! Homemade galactic toys let kids help with hands-on creating while gearing up for space adventures.
Rocket Ships
- Assemble empty boxes, tubes, bottles, and other recycled materials into original rockets. Let kids color and decorate their designs.
- Make rocket sculptures using clay or playdough. Kids can mold engines, fins, noses, windows, and more.
Astronaut Costumes
- Create outer space explorer gear like a foil helmet, duct tape gauntlets, or a backpack with an oxygen tank.
- Upcycle big appliance boxes into the cockpit of a space shuttle. Provide stars, buttons, and switches to decorate the control panel.
- Craft a cape from black construction paper dotted with silver foil stars. Add a space mission shield.
Space Sensory Play
- For stellar tactile fun, fill bags with hair gel, glitter, and googly eyes to create “alien slime.”
- Mix shaving cream with blue and purple food coloring then hide space-themed plastic toys inside for kids to excavate.
- Create an edible Milky Way by layering pudding, crushed cookies, and gummies in a clear cup. Provide spoons for sampling.
More Space Adventures to Explore
Starry Nights
Gazing at the real night sky is the perfect pairing for space toys. Check sky charts for clear nights to view planets and constellations. Bring along space books and a flashlight or red light to read stories under the stars.
Planetarium Field Trip
Many local science museums and zoos offer planetarium shows that visually surround audiences with the cosmos using projection technology. These immersive programs on black hole mysteries and solar systems often delight preschoolers.
Storytime From the Stratosphere
Read storybooks featuring astronaut characters, space travel adventures or facts about planets and solar systems. Extend the learning by acting out stories or making up new outer space plots.
Arts and Crafts in Zero Gravity
Make rocket ships from empty toilet paper tubes. Turn cereal boxes into astronauts or aliens using paint and collage materials. Host a zero-gravity art class by taping paper under tables and letting kids create space art from underneath.
Space Games For Future Astronauts
Cosmic Board Games
Cooperative board games present missions to complete, like rescuing astronauts or collecting space samples. Roll dice to move through the Milky Way while learning strategy skills.
Interstellar Puzzles
Puzzles featuring space themes challenge visual-spatial skills as kids assemble images of planets, rockets, and astronauts. For beginners, choose large-piece formats with knobs.
Orbiting Orb Video Games
Early learning video games with outer space themes build focus, problem-solving, and hand-eye coordination through missions involving spaceship piloting, solar system navigation, and alien encounters.
Stellar Space Books for Kids
Storybook Space Adventurers
- Max Goes to the Moon by Jeffrey Bennett
- Mousetronaut by Mark Kelly
- The Way to the Stars by Kjersti Annesdatter Skomsvold
- Commander Toad book series by Jane Yolen
Nonfiction Space Explorers
- National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Space
- Space Encyclopedia by David A. Aguilar
- Astronaut Handbook by Meghan McCarthy
- The Planets by Nirmala Nataraj
Galactically Great Activity Books
- Space Coloring Book for Kids by Jupiter Kids
- Space Activity Book for Kids Ages 4-8 by Woo! Jr.
- Space Scavenger Hunt Activity Book by Fascinating Facts Press
Space Movies That Are Out Of This World
Rocketeer Animated Movies
- Wall-E -lonely robot’s space adventures
- Mars Needs Moms – boy helps alien mom return home
- Escape to Witch Mountain – siblings with powers escape to the mountain
Live-Action Interstellar Hits
- Apollo 13 -ill-fated NASA moon mission
- Hidden Figures – true story of brilliant female NASA mathematicians
- The Martian – astronaut stranded on Mars strives to survive
Space-Themed TV Series
- Ready, Jet, Go! – animated preschool adventures through the solar system
- Star Trek: Prodigy – sci-fi franchise’s first kids animated series
- Space Racers – a preschool cartoon about space academy students
Space Sounds Set to Music
Cosmic Songs
- “The Planets” classical suite by Gustav Holst
- “Walking on the Moon” by The Police
- “Rocket Man” by Elton John
- “Across the Universe” by The Beatles
Stellar Playlists
- Space Songs for Kids on Spotify
- Kids Dance Party Space Mix on Apple Music
- Lullabies to Sleep Among the Stars on Pandora
Educational Space Tunes
- Jim Gill’s To the Moon and Back Kids’ Space Songs
- StoryBots Outer Space Songs for Kids
- Here Comes Science by They Might Be Giants
Fuel Up With Space Snacks
Before blastoff, fuel your astronauts’ tummies with stellar space snacks.
Craters and Comets
- Half a banana topped with chocolate chips as “asteroids”
- Scoop vanilla yogurt into a bowl and top with blueberries as “comet trails”
- Cheese cut into star shapes or rolled into “moon rocks”
Light Years Ahead Lunches
- Peanut butter and jelly nebula nebulas – swirl together peanut butter and jelly
- Pita pockets with planet-shaped veggie slices and sun-dried tomato suns
- Yogurt parfaits layered with crushed cookies as “moon dust”
Intergalactic Sweets
- Cosmic brownies with candy-coated chocolate galaxy sprinkles
- Ice cream “spaceships” made from ice cream cone tops filled with ice cream balls
- Sugar cookie rockets iced to blast off with colorful galactic trails
Blast Off to Infinity and Beyond With a Space Birthday Party
Planning an out-of-this-world outer space birthday? Use these ideas to create stellar space fun.
Decorations
- Suspend model planets and rockets from the ceiling
- Drape surfaces with black paper dotted with aluminum foil stars
- Set up a NASA space center sign and space shuttle entrance
Games and Activities
- Give blindfolded kids astronaut gloves to complete tactile challenges
- Play pin the flag on the moon and musical moon rocks
- Blast off film canister rockets by mixing baking soda and vinegar
Food and Snacks
- Make a rocket ship cake with candies and clouds for exhaust
- Serve yogurt astronaut parfaits with cookie crumbs as moon dust
- Create an alien green punch with lime sherbet
Favors
- Give away astronaut ice cream, space stickers, plastic medals, ET finger puppets and more.
- Package favors in rocketship goody bags.
Final Countdown: Why Space Toys Are Out of This World
As we’ve explored, stellar space toys offer much more than just fun for 4 year olds. These galactic playthings provide vital benefits like:
- Fueling curious minds and hungry imaginations
- Developing
FAQs
What are the best space toys for fostering STEM skills?
Toys like model rocket building sets, solar system puzzles, and programming robots teach early engineering, science, and math skills. Look for toys labeled as STEM or educational with age specifics.
What are the safest space toys for my young child?
Focus on toys from reputable brands made from non-toxic materials with no small parts. For electronics, only use new alkaline batteries installed correctly. Avoid long cords and choking hazards. Review age labels and supervise play.
Where can I find space-themed sensory toys for toddlers?
Look for space toys with lights, sounds, and textures to stimulate developing senses. Examples are soft rocket plushes, musical mobiles with twinkling planets, push-button books with space sounds, and glow-in-the-dark aliens.
Are space video games helpful or harmful for preschoolers?
Look for educational apps and games rated E for Everyone with space adventures that build skills. Monitor playtime and discuss concepts like planets and gravity. Limit screen time to 30-60 minutes daily.
What are creative ways to make DIY space toys cheaply?
Upcycle cardboard tubes and boxes into rockets and spaceships. Use playdough or clay for modeling astronauts and aliens. Craft tin foil helmets and flashlight ray guns using tape. The sky’s the limit!
Should I give space toys equally to girls and boys?
Absolutely! Space exploration toys appeal to all kids. Ensure your child’s interests, not gender, guide the toys you provide to empower both girls and boys to reach for the stars.
What space books or movies best complement space toy play?
Pair toys with classic fictional space stories like The Little Prince, nonfiction books about real missions, or family-friendly films like Wall-E. Discuss facts and imaginative adventures.