5 Space Crafts for Kids

Get ready for some outer space fun with these five space crafts for kids!

FIVE SPACE CRAFTS FOR KIDS

From stars to moons and everything in between, outer space fascinates most children at some point in their lives. Encourage their love of learning with these slightly messy but oh-so-fun crafts that are both fun and educational.

The Best Space Crafts for Kids

This article contains affiliate links to things that you might like.

Button Solar System

If you have a tin of left-over, mismatched buttons, you’ll love putting them to good use in the button solar system.

Materials

Ideal for children over the age of three, this craft requires:

  • eight buttons of various sizes
  • craft sticks or yarn*
  • a two-inch wooden circle
  • yellow paint
  • black paint
  • paintbrushes
  • glue

*If you choose to use yarn, have a sturdy piece of cardboard or stiff construction paper.

Directions

  • The wooden circle represents the sun, around which all planets orbit. Paint the circle yellow.
  • If using yarn, glue the newly painted circle to the center of the cardboard.
  • Paint eight craft sticks black. The craft sticks will hold the buttons (which represent the planets).
  • After the paint dries, glue a button to the end of each craft stick. Break the craft sticks at varying lengths, as short or as long as your child would like, keeping in mind that each stick will be the distance from the planets to the sun.
  • If using yarn, stretch pieces of varying length from the button outward.
  • Glue the ends to the cardboard.
  • Place the buttons on the outermost ends of the yarn.
  • Allow the project to dry before displaying your child’s representation of the solar system.

Starry Night Flashlight

If your child loves glow-in-the-dark stars above her head as she sleeps, she will love the starry night flashlight! This flashlight modification craft makes a great space craft for kids!

It’s ideal for children over the age of four, but younger children will still enjoy playing with the finished project.

Materials

Before you begin, you will need:

Directions

  • Measure and cut the contact paper or vinyl to fit the flashlight or lantern of your choice. (When choosing between contact paper and vinyl, consider that vinyl is easier to peel off, whereas contact paper can create a permanent toy.)
  • When you have the pieces cut out that will cover the light source, help your child punch star shapes into it. So, punch holes in the contact paper or vinyl that you cut out previously. Allow your child to create as many stars as she wants, provided the shapes don’t overlap and distort.
  • Fit the contact paper around the light source and adhere it to the device.
  • Turn off the overhead lights and flip on the flashlight. Your kids will be enchanted with the stars that appear on the wall or the ceiling above!
FIVE SPACE CRAFTS FOR KIDS

Milk Carton Cap Alien

Whether your child’s favorite character is E.T. or Marvin the Martian, creating an alien all their own may inspire further fascination with the extraterrestrial!

This craft is best for children three years of age and older.

Materials

Before you begin, you will need:

  • one milk carton cap per child
  • green paint
  • a paint brush
  • a black marker
  • three wiggly eyes per alien
  • glue

Directions

  • Paint the milk caps green. Allow the face of the alien to dry.
  • Help your child glue three wiggly eyes onto the cap. You can suggest a triangular shape or allow your child to create his own formation.
  • Use the black marker to give the alien a mouth. A smile or a scary mouth both work for this fun space craft for kids!
  • As a bonus, use craft pins and glue to turn this craft into a wearable masterpiece.

Hubble Space Telescope Model

Like toddlers running around your house, the Hubble Telescope travels around the world at amazing speeds. Orbiting at 28,000 kilometers per hour, this telescope travels 12 times as fast as a supersonic airliner. Pause your little one in his orbit by encouraging children three years of age and older to create their own Hubble Telescopes.

Materials

Before you begin, collect:

  • one empty toilet paper roll per child. (You may also use an empty paper towel roll if cut down in size.)
  • one craft stick per child
  • tin foil
  • brown construction paper
  • glue
  • kid-appropriate scissors
  • string

Directions

  • Help your child cut slits on opposite sides of the toilet paper roll that extend about two-thirds of the way through the cardboard.
  • Slide the craft stick into the slits, allowing an even amount on both sides of the toilet paper roll.
  • Use pieces of tinfoil to completely cover the cardboard. The tinfoil will also help hold the craft stick in place. If needed, secure the stick with a little drop of glue.
  • Cut two 4” x 4” squares per child from the brown construction paper. Fold each in half, gluing the craft stick between the edges of the construction paper.
  • Allow the craft to dry before your child takes it on an orbit around the house.
  • Using the string tied into a loop, you can hang the next Earth-orbiting telescope from the ceiling.
FIVE SPACE CRAFTS FOR KIDS

Plaster of Paris Moon Craters

Although the moon moves further from the Earth each year, its fascination factor grows among children. Bring a part of the moon to your house by helping your child create Plaster of Paris moon craters.

This craft can get a little messy and is best for children over the age of three.

Materials

Before you begin, you will need:

  • Plaster of Paris
  • bubble wrap
  • grey paint
  • a paintbrush

Directions

  • Spread the bubble wrap out on the kitchen table.
  • Help your child cover the bubble wrap in Plaster of Paris. Having a damp rag handy will help you easily clean messy fingers.
  • Allow the Plaster of Paris to dry.
  • Once dry, peel it from the bubble wrap.
  • Paint the mold grey.
  • Once the paint is dry, your child will have her very own moon crater.
  • If you have a large enough piece of bubble wrap, your child will have a crater mold he can walk on, making him the next man to walk on the moon.

Beyond Space Crafts for Kids

Space is fascinating to many children. Bring their dreams to life with these five space crafts for kids. If you’re ready to turn your house into Outer Space, try making all of these crafts. The new scenery may prompt more educational questions about space.

To answer some of those questions after you make the space crafts for kids, use these fun facts about the solar system to help:

You May Also Like…

Share with your friends!

You May Also Like...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.