Are you looking for exciting ways to introduce your toddler to the wonders of space? Teaching kids about astronomy, planets, rockets, and more at a young age fosters curiosity, imagination, and a lifelong love of science and exploration. This beginner’s guide covers the best space activities for toddlers to help parents tap into their child’s fascination with the final frontier.
Why Space Activities are Beneficial for Toddler Development
Exposing toddlers to space themes has many benefits:
- Develops an interest in science and nature
- Sparks curiosity and imagination
- Teaches basic educational concepts like shapes, colors, numbers, and letters
- Improves hand-eye coordination through interactive play
- Helps vocabulary building by introducing new words
- Promotes bonding through fun learning activities
When you explore space together, toddlers also gain a sense of wonder about the universe we live in. The celestial objects and principles of space are complex, but parents can keep activities simple, playful, and hands-on. Tap into your toddler’s natural fascination with the night sky, planets, stars, and more using these tips!
Best Space Themes and Topics for Toddlers
Here are some of the most popular space themes and topics to cover when introducing toddlers to astronomy and space:
The Solar System
The planets and sun are great starting points for space discovery. Activities can focus on:
- Names of the planets and order from the sun
- Exploring characteristics of each planet (rings, red color, number of moons etc)
- Drawing an edible model of the solar system with fruit or cookies
Stars and Constellations
The night sky sparks wonder and imagination.
- Reading books about stars like “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star”
- Making DIY star charts and telescopes
- Identifying simple constellations like the Big Dipper
The Moon
Earth’s moon is the most relatable celestial body for kids. Activities can include:
- Reading fictional stories involving the moon or moon landing
- Creating moon sandboxes with flour or kinetic sand
- Doing moon phase crafts with Oreo cookies
Aliens and Space Travel
Kids love to imagine life in outer space. Inspire their creativity with:
- Fun alien masks or puppets for pretend play
- Building spaceships and rockets from blocks or cardboard boxes
- Playing games about packing supplies for a space mission
Astronauts
Toddlers look up to astronauts as explorers and heroes. Bring them to life through:
- Reading books about real-life astronauts and their adventures
- Imaginative play pretending to be astronauts on a mission
- Simple astronaut costumes made from cardboard boxes or tubes
Best Hands-On Space Activities for Toddlers (18-36 Months)
Once you’ve picked a space theme, here are specific activity ideas to engage your toddler:
1. DIY Space Sensory Bin
Fill a plastic bin or box with space-themed sensory materials like:
- Black beans, rice, or kinetic sand
- Plastic astronauts and spaceships
- Foil or Styrofoam balls for planets
- Flashlights or glow sticks for exploring
Encourage pretend play as your toddler moves the items around and makes up adventures. Sensory play develops motor skills and imagination.
2. Edible Planets
Create each planet out of kid-friendly foods using a cookie cutter or fruit halves:
- Blueberries for Earth
- Orange slices for Mars
- Green grapes with toothpicks for Saturn
As you make each one, discuss fun facts and let them munch on their “planets” after!
3. Paper Plate Astronauts
Using paper plates and art supplies, turn your tot into a space explorer with this craft:
- Cut the rim off a paper plate for the head
- Add googly eyes, foil arms, and decorations
- Draw helmets or astronaut suits with markers
- Attach elastic string to “wear” their creation
They’ll have fun parading around as an astronaut afterward!
4. Moon and Stars Glow Bottles
Make a beautiful DIY night sky scene by:
- Filling empty water bottles 3⁄4 with oil, then adding blue glitter glue
- Adding glitter star sequins and a mini glow stick moon
- Capping tightly and watching the glitter swirl when shaken
The glowing, galactic glitter effect is gorgeous and mesmerizing for kids.
5. Space-Themed Obstacle Course
Set up an easy obstacle course with outer space twists:
- Crawl through “asteroid fields” made of balloons or pillows
- Walk the “moon” balance beam line
- Jump into the space “rocket ship” hula hoop
- Crawl through an “astronaut tunnel” made from an appliance box
Your little astronaut will have a blast going through the stellar obstacles!
6. Alien Dance Party
Let imaginations soar by turning on upbeat music and having an intergalactic dance party!
- Make simple alien headbands or masks beforehand
- Do silly alien dances like the “funky chicken”
- Freeze dance when the music stops
Laughter and learning go hand in hand with this activity.
Fun Space Science Experiments for Toddlers
Beyond crafts and sensory play, engaging science experiments help toddlers grasp basic concepts like cause and effect, gravity, magnetism, and more. Try these beginner-friendly activities:
Gravity Straw Rockets
- Cut a drinking straw at an angle and slide on a pompom “rocket nose”
- Blow through the straw to propel the rocket up, then watch it fall back down
- Demo the pull of gravity and how angle affects flight path
Balloon Astronaut
- Blow up a balloon and draw a silly alien face
- Rub the balloon on hair or wool to build static electricity
- Stick the charged balloon to a wall and watch your astronaut “float” due to static cling
Magic Milk Galaxy
- Add a few drops of food coloring to a shallow dish of milk
- Place a drop of dish soap in the center and watch colors swirl and burst like a galaxy
- Mixing soap and milk creates the carbon dioxide gas that makes the colors dance
Floating Astronaut
- Fill a clear plastic cup with water almost to the top
- Drop in a plastic toy astronaut figure and watch it appear to float in zero gravity!
With some simple household items, you can introduce basic physics in a fun, memorable way.
Best Space Books for Toddlers
Reading books together builds vocabulary and kicks off great discussions about space concepts. Some top reads include:
Fiction:
- Mousetronaut by Mark Kelly – Story of a mouse astronaut’s space adventure
- Astronaut Handbook by Meghan McCarthy – Whimsical guide about how to become an astronaut
- Baby Astronaut by Adam Gamble – Rhyming book about a baby who explores space
Nonfiction:
- Hello, World! Solar System by Jill McDonald – Colorful overview of planets
- National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Space – Photos and facts about planets and space
- The Moon Book by Gail Gibbons – Introduction to moon phases and features
Interactive:
- TouchThinkLearn: Space – Tactile book with textures to find
Look for titles by well-known brands like National Geographic Kids, DK Books and Scholastic for high-quality science introductions. Visit the library regularly to find new space-themed stories to share.
Best Space Movies and Shows for Toddlers
When kids need a screen break, opt for space-themed viewing that engages their imagination and sparks discussion. Great picks include:
- Wall-E – Pixar film about a robot who discovers wonders of space
- Astroblast! – Silly space adventures on a space station
- Ready Jet Go! – Animated science adventures from PBS Kids
- Rocket’s Island – Netflix series about alien friends on a space island
For realistic depictions, documentaries like America’s Space Heroes and 8 Days: To the Moon and Back use real NASA footage. Watch together and chat about what you see on screen.
Creative Space Room Decor Ideas
Surround your toddler with stellar decor that reinforces space themes:
- Paint a galaxy mural – Use shades of blue, purple and black to create a swirling night sky
- DIY solar system – Hang painted paper planets from the ceiling on fishing line
- Glow in the dark star decals – Turn off the lights so decorative star constellations glow
- Space shuttle bed – Make the bed look like a rocket ship using cardboard boxes
Use glow-in-the-dark paints and materials to give their room a truly galactic ambiance.
Fun Toddler Space Birthday Party Ideas
For your little astronaut’s big day, throw a space-tastic party with:
Invitations – Mail rocket ship cards to guests with space puns like “We’re over the moon excited for Ellie’s birthday!”
Games – Have fun with Space Piñata, Moon Rock Hunt, Laser Maze, and Alien Limbo.
Treats – Make star and planet cookies or cupcakes. Label a space punch “Martian Water” and solar system fruit skewers.
Decor – Create a space backdrop using sheets of black, silver, and purple paper dotted with glow-in-the-dark stars.
Goodie Bags – Fill with space-themed items like astronaut ice cream, space putty, and star glasses.
The out-of-this-world theme is sure to delight your stellar birthday boy or girl!
Continue Fueling Their Passion for Space
Introducing toddlers to astronomy, planetary science and space exploration is not only educational, but also inspires wonder about the beauty of our universe.
Use this guide to get started with simple space activities tailored for your toddler’s age, abilities and interests. As their knowledge expands, add more hands-on learning, experiments, and challenging concepts to keep fueling their fascination.
The universe is filled with an infinite amount to discover. With your encouragement, even the smallest astronauts can reach for the stars!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best space books for toddlers?
Some top space-themed books for toddlers include interactive titles like TouchThinkLearn: Space, fiction stories like Mousetronaut by Mark Kelly, and nonfiction books like National Geographic’s Little Kids First Big Book of Space. Look for titles from leading children’s publishers like Scholastic and DK Books. Visit the library often to find new space-themed books to engage your toddler’s imagination.
How can I make space-themed snacks?
Some creative space-themed snacks for toddlers include making edible planets out of fruit halves and cookie cutters, star and moon-shaped sandwiches, yogurt dip cups labeled “alien fuel,” and fun space puns like “astro-nuts” trail mix. Use cookie cutters and food picks to make space shapes. Bring snacks to life with imaginative names.
What are good space-themed toys for toddlers?
Great space-themed toy ideas include buildable rocket ships or space stations, astronaut action figures and dolls, toy telescopes and binoculars for stargazing, puzzles of the solar system or famous spacecraft, and bath toys like squirt guns labeled “moon blasters.” Look for toys that inspire pretend play and teach space concepts.
Should I decorate my toddler’s room with a space theme?
Using space-themed decor in your toddler’s room is a great way to surround them with stellar styles they love. Hang planets, rockets and glowing galactic decals. Paint a space mural with moons and stars. Make DIY decorations like paper UFOs or cardboard astronauts on sticks. Use glow-in-the-dark paint or blacklight accessories to give their space a true out-of-this-world look.
What makes a great space-themed birthday party for a toddler?
For an epic space-themed toddler birthday party, send galactic invitations to guests telling them to “get ready to blast off!” Have fun with alien masks or astronaut costumes. Play games like an asteroid obstacle course or a freeze dance party. Serve star cookies and space punch “alien fuel.” Decorate with DIY planets and rockets. Fill goodie bags with space putty, astronaut ice cream, and glow-in-the-dark stars!