Space. The final frontier. For many 6 year old boys, space represents adventure, exploration, and mystery. As parents and educators, we want to encourage this fascination with the cosmos and feed their imagination. One great way to do that is through space-themed toys and activities.
In this beginner’s guide, we’ll explore some of the best space toys and STEM learning kits to help your 6 year old boy blast off into outer space and reach for the stars!
Why Space Toys Are Important for Kids
Space toys provide a range of benefits for 6 year old boys:
- Promote imagination and creativity: As they roleplay missions to Mars or build model rockets, space toys allow kids to dream and explore imaginatively.
- Teach STEM concepts: Many space toys incorporate science, technology, engineering, and math, helping kids grasp concepts like astronomy, physics, and engineering.
- Encourage problem-solving: Space toys often involve assembling parts, following instructions, and troubleshooting issues, building critical thinking skills.
- Inspire a love of space and science: Using telescopes, real NASA gear, and space-themed kits fosters curiosity about the universe.
- Develop fine motor skills: Piecing together Lego sets, coloring books, puzzles, and models improves hand-eye coordination.
- Sparking wonder: Gazing at the stars, planets, and celestial objects fills kids with awe and wonder about the cosmos.
With the right space toys, you can instill a lifelong passion for science and discovery!
Types of Space Toys for 6 Year Old Boys
There is a vast array of space toys out there to appeal to any 6 year old boy’s interests. Here are some of the most popular categories:
Model Rocket Kits
Model rocket kits allow kids to build their own working rocket that can be launched hundreds of feet in the air. Fun and educational, rocket kits teach STEM skills.
- Estes Model Rockets: Iconic rocket company with many starter kits for ages 6+ like the Alpha III.
- Thames & Kosmos Rocket and Spacecraft Building Kits: Great selection of rocket kits to assemble, from beginner unpowered gliders to advanced motorized rockets.
- Quest Aerospace Model Rockets: Quality plastic model rocket kits to build, decorate, and launch into the sky. Great for learning STEM principles.
Lego Sets
From Mars rovers to iconic spaceships, Lego makes fantastic, detailed space-themed sets to build.
- Women of NASA Lego set: Inspiring 231-piece set with minifigures of pioneering women astronauts and engineers.
- Lego City Space Mars Research Shuttle: Fun playset featuring a shuttle, rover, and Mars landscape.
- Lego Creator 3-in-1 Space Shuttle: Build a space shuttle, Moon base, or space rover with 625 pieces.
Space Board Games
Make game night an out-of-this-world adventure with fun space-themed board and card games.
- Out of This World: Fast-paced game about exploring the solar system, collecting space treasures, and returning home.
- Space Race: An Interplanetary Adventure Board Game: Exciting family board game racing through space to collect planets.
- Solarquest: Classic space strategy board game with 170 plastic pieces including spaceships and aliens.
Space Puzzles
Puzzles build fine motor skills and spatial awareness while engaging kids’ love of astronomy.
- Melissa & Doug Glow in The Dark Constellation Puzzle: Connect the starry night sky with 48 sparkling puzzle pieces.
- Ravensburger Mission to Mars 54 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle: Put together a colorful Mars landscape.
- Educa 60 Piece Solar System Puzzle: Interconnecting jigsaw puzzle teaches planets and facts.
Space Books
From facts to fiction, books open up the entire universe to explore.
- Space Encyclopedia for Kids: Filled with incredible photos and fascinating facts about space.
- The Planets: A visual tour of our solar system with rich illustrations.
- 5,000 Awesome Facts about Everything: Includes a whole chapter on space full of cool trivia.
- Space Boy: Whimsical picture book about a boy who dreams of going to space.
- A Big Mooncake for Little Star: Charming story of a young girl and her celestial adventures.
And so many more! Reading together inspires their imagination.
Space Costumes & Clothes
Blast off into vivid imagination by dressing up in space costumes and space-themed clothes.
- Aeromax Jr. Astronaut Suit: Kids can pretend to walk on the Moon in this bright orange NASA jumpsuit with mission patches and an embroidered NASA cap. Machine washable too!
- Melissa & Doug Astronaut Role Play Costume Set: Comes with a white jumpsuit, oxygen tank, and astronaut helmet.
- American Treasure Space Explorer Backpack: This reusable backpack looks just like a real NASA spacesuit.
- Foldable Space Helmet: Fun paper straw helmet folds flat for easy storage. Decorate it at home!
- Space Socks: From rocket ships to constellations, space-themed socks appeal to any space kid.
- Space T-Shirts: Find cool shirts with planets, astronauts, rockets, and more to show off space pride.
The Educational Value of Space Toys
Along with sparking the imagination, many space toys provide rich educational benefits by teaching core STEM principles.
STEM Building Kits
Hands-on building kits allow kids to construct space stations, sputniks, rovers and more while grasping concepts like aeronautics, robotics, electronics, and mechanics.
Popular kits include:
- STEM 12-in-1 Education Solar Robot Kit (gears, LEDs, solar panel)
- OWI 14-in-1 Solar Robot Kit (build robots that draw, race, and more!)
- National Geographic Break Open Geodes (crack open calcium carbonate and crystal geodes)
- 4M Kidz Labs DIY Solar System Planetarium (build a glowing model of the solar system)
Telescopes
For kids fascinated by space, telescopes open up night skies by allowing them to gaze at planets, stars, and other celestial objects.
- CogoToy Kids Telescope: Compact beginner telescope perfect for viewing the moon, Jupiter’s moons, and Saturn’s rings.
- Celestron AstroMaster 114 Telescope: Powerful telescope with easy setup perfect for spotting craters on the Moon, Jupiter’s cloud bands, and distant nebulae.
- ** Orion FunScope:** Affordable reflector telescope on a tripod with 2 included eyepieces. Great views of the Moon and bright planets.
Using an actual telescope inspires an enduring interest in astronomy and science!
Educational Toys
Look for toys marked as STEM or STREAM (adding art and math) which are designed to teach science concepts while playing.
- Learning Resources STEM Robot Mouse (teaches coding with directional pieces)
- backyardbrains.com DIY Neuroscience Kit (learn how neurons work with an included squid)
- Scientific Explorer Mind Blowing Science Kit (fizzy chemical reactions with 20+ activities)
DIY Space Projects
Simple homemade space activities teach principles like gravity, propulsion, and more.
- Balloon rockets: Blow up balloons and let them fly to see propulsion in action.
- Film canister rocket launchers: Explore Newton’s Laws by constructing a rocket from a film canister.
- Paper airplane constellations: Make planes shaped like Orion or Ursa Major and fly them around a dark room.
- Banana astronauts: Wrap a peeled banana in foil like a space suit and see how bananas make good natural astronauts!
With these DIY projects, kids learn by doing.
Outfitting Their Space
From decor to storage, add space themes throughout your 6 year old boy’s space to fully immerse them in space fun.
Bedding
Rocket ships, planets, and astronauts can inspire space dreams when featured on:
- Sheets
- Comforter
- Duvet cover
- Pillowcases
- Blankets
Wall Decor
Surround them in stars, planets, spaceships and more with:
- Canvas wall prints
- Wall decals
- Wallpaper murals
- Galaxy projectors
- Glow-in-the-dark stars
- Framed posters
Lighting
Illuminate their space with:
- Night lights
- Floor lamps
- Ceiling light fixtures
- String lights
Storage
Corral toys in space containers like:
- Toy chests
- Storage bins
- Backpacks
- Lunch boxes
Other Accents
- Area rugs
- Curtains
- Mobiles
- Bookends
- Door décor
- Drawer pulls
From the moment they wake up to lights out at night, surround your space child with intergalactic inspiration.
Top Space Toys and Kits
With so many options, here are some of the top-rated and bestselling space toys and kits:
Educational Space Toys
- Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 Electronics Exploration Kit – Introduces electronics and circuitry with 30+ snap-together parts to build 101 projects like a flying saucer and more. $24.99
- National Geographic Mega Rocket and Spacecraft Set – Construction bricks for building a Mars rover, space shuttle, satellites and more. Includes rocket launcher. $29.99
- OWI 14-in-1 Solar Robot Kit – Build 14 robots powered by the sun that draw, walk, and race. Hands-on STEM learning. $21.95
Spacecraft Models
- Estes Alpha III Model Rocket Kit – Beginner model rocket that soars up to 1,200 feet. Fun STEM rocketry. $18.99
- LEGO City Mars Research Shuttle – Feature-packed Mars space shuttle playset. $99.99
- Revell Voyager Spacecraft Model Kit – Challenging scale model of the real NASA Voyager probe. Detailed 124 pieces. $29.88
Telescopes
- Celestron AstroMaster 114 Telescope – Well-made Newtonian reflector telescope perfect for viewing craters on the Moon, Jupiter’s bands, Saturn’s rings, and more celestial objects. $299.95
- Celestron PowerSeeker 127EQ Telescope – Quality beginner telescope with an equatorial mount, perfect for burgeoning astronomy fans. $199.95
- Meade Instruments Infinity 60 AZ Refractor Telescope – Compact and portable refractor ideal for kids to easily view nebulas, galaxies, clusters, and the Moon. $119.99
STEM Kits
- Backyard Brains Neuron SpikerBox – Teaches neuroscience by capturing tiny electrical signals in invertebrate neurons. Cool STEM project. $99.99
- Kiwico Solar System Planetarium – Build a to-scale planetary system that glows in the dark. Includes rocket capsule toy. $24.95
- 4M Tin Can Robot – Build a walking robot from a soda can and activate it with a magnet. Fun engineering! $15.95
- Omano JuniorScope Microscope Kit – Kid-friendly microscope with prepared slides, tools, and activity journal to explore the microscopic world. $39.99
- Scientific Explorer Magic Science Kit – Learn fascinating chemical reactions from color-changing potions to bubbling brews. 100+ dazzling experiments. $19.99
Rocket Kits
- Estes Alpha III Model Rocket Kit – Great beginner rocket for ages 10 and up. Soars up to 1,200 feet for an awesome view. $18.99
- Quest Aerospace Force Copter Rocket – Build and launch a rocket with spinning foam blades for a flying copter effect. $13.99
- Model Rockets Dual Deploy Space Shuttle – Fun 2-stage rocket kit that ejects parachutes and glides back down after blastoff. $69.95
Astronaut Costumes
- Aeromax Jr. Astronaut Suit – Realistic orange astronaut jumpsuit with NASA patches and emblem cap. Machine washable. $44.95
- Disguise Astronaut Costume Set – Bright white jumpsuit with NASA patches, light-up helmet, and oxygen tank backpack for ages 4-6. $39.99
- Melissa and Doug Astronaut Roleplay Costume Set – Sturdy washable polyester astronaut costume with helmet and oxygen tank. $49.99
Gifts & Stocking Stuffers
- 4M Build Your Own Solar Robot Kit – Assemble a light-powered walking bot with plastic cups, straws, and paperclips. Eco-friendly STEM toy. $7.95
- Green Toys Rocket Launch Set – Launch mini rockets across the room with this 15-piece reusable playset made from recycled materials. $14.99
- Original Space Ice Cream – Freeze-dried Neapolitan astronaut ice cream packaged in a souvenir space food tin. $5.95
- American Treasure Space Explorer Reusable Backpack – Backpack with attached NASA-style spacesuit for pretend play. $19.99
- Professor Maxwell’s VR Universe Book – Put on included cardboard VR goggles and view space through 35 virtual reality pages. Interactive fun! $14.99
Frequently Asked Questions
How do space toys promote STEM learning?
From assembling model rockets and programming robots to looking at real planetary surfaces through a microscope or telescope, space toys encourage hands-on learning of science, math, engineering and technology concepts through play.
What skills do space toys teach?
Space toys build a range of skills including imagination, creativity, problem-solving, spatial awareness, observational skills, reasoning, fine motor control, engineering principles and more.
How can I get my 6 year old interested in space and science?
Spark their natural curiosity through space books, toys, activities, and games. Let them dress up as an astronaut, decorate their room with space themes, visit a planetarium, and gaze at the stars together. Share your own excitement and curiosity!
What makes a good beginner telescope for a 6 year old?
Look for a basic reflector or refractor telescope with low magnification, a sturdy tripod, simple controls and setup, smooth movement, and included eyepieces. Start with views of the Moon and bright planets like Jupiter.
Are space toys just for boys?
Absolutely not! While this guide focuses on boys, space toys and STEM activities benefit girls too. Encourage all kids to explore space and science, regardless of their gender.
With the perfect space toys, your 6 year old boy’s imagination and curiosity will blast off! Use this guide to find stellar space toys that combine fun and learning for an out-of-this-world playtime experience.
How do space toys promote STEM learning?
From assembling model rockets and programming robots to looking at real planetary surfaces through a microscope or telescope, space toys encourage hands-on learning of science, math, engineering and technology concepts through play.
What skills do space toys teach?
Space toys build a range of skills including imagination, creativity, problem-solving, spatial awareness, observational skills, reasoning, fine motor control, engineering principles and more.
How can I get my 6 year old interested in space and science?
Spark their natural curiosity through space books, toys, activities, and games. Let them dress up as an astronaut, decorate their room with space themes, visit a planetarium, and gaze at the stars together. Share your own excitement and curiosity!
What makes a good beginner telescope for a 6 year old?
Look for a basic reflector or refractor telescope with low magnification, a sturdy tripod, simple controls and setup, smooth movement, and included eyepieces. Start with views of the Moon and bright planets like Jupiter.
Are space toys just for boys?
Absolutely not! While this guide focuses on boys, space toys and STEM activities benefit girls too. Encourage all kids to explore space and science, regardless of their gender.