Helping children learn about space is an inspiring way to get them into learning. Having a passion for a wider world and beyond can teach many skills and interests.
So if you’d like to help your child learn about space in a relevant way for their age, here are some tips.
When children think about space, they might imagine the vacuum of outer space where planets and stars reside.
But space is actually all around us! It is the distance between objects, like how far apart your hands are when you clap them together. It can also refer to how big or small something is.
For example, a toy car takes up less space than a real car.
Learning about space helps children understand the world around them.
It also fosters an interest in science, math, and engineering. All of these are essential skills for children to learn.
There are many ways to help children learn about space. Here are some tips to encourage their interest.
Space Books
There are many great space books for children of all ages. These can help introduce the concepts of space in an age-appropriate way.
Even simple books about stars and planets can help to introduce some of the basic concepts.
Some favorites include:
- The Magic School Bus Lost in the Solar System by Joanna Cole
- Astro Girl by Ken Wilson-Max
- One Small Step by Robert Munsch
Space Crafting Activities
Crafting activities are a great way to help children learn about space concepts. This could include making a mobile of the solar system, painting planets, or creating a collage of space images.
There are many great space crafting ideas, such as:
- Making a solar system hanging mobile
- Crafting planets using balloons and papier-mâché
- Using different materials and textures to create a space collage
Hang Up Pictures
One way to get children more interested in space is to hang up pictures of space around the home.
Whether you find space art by a unique artist or hang up a powerful piece of photography, these are all visual reminders of space, and are great discussion points too.
Space Science Experiments
Children are often fascinated by science experiments. And there are many great space science experiments that can help children learn about the concepts of space.
These are usually really fun, but also incorporate some aspects of math and science subjects too.
A few fun space science experiments include:
- Making a homemade lava lamp to simulate the solar system
- Building a DIY sundial to track the movement of the sun
- Creating a homemade comet using baking soda and vinegar
Take a Trip to a Planetarium
If you have a planetarium nearby, plan a trip! This is a great way to learn about the stars and planets, and see them up close.
Many planetariums also offer shows and other educational presentations. This is a great way to become immersed in the idea of space.
Visit a Space Museum
There are many great space museums across the world. If you have one nearby, plan a visit! This is a great way to learn about space history and see some amazing space artifacts.
Even if you don’t live nearby, many space museums have fantastic online resources you can use to help teach your children about space.
Some of the most popular space museums around the world include:
- The Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C.
- The Adler Planetarium in Chicago, Illinois
- The Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington
- The Space Center Houston in Texas
- The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida
- STAR Wars: Identities in Montreal, Canada
- The National Space Centre in Leicester, United Kingdom
- The Beijing Planetarium in Beijing, China
Get A Telescope
One of the best ways to get kids interested in space is to get them their own telescope. This way, they can explore the night sky on their own.
Be sure to help them set it up and get started, but then let them take the lead in their astronomical observations.
There are many great telescopes for kids on the market. And many of them are quite affordable too.
Space Games
There are many great space-themed games that can help kids learn about space concepts. These can be educational and fun at the same time.
Many of these games are available online, or you can find them at your local toy store.
Some great space games for kids include:
- Orion’s Belt: A game about the constellations
- Solar System Switch-Up: A game about the planets
- Moon Phases: A game about the moon
- Asteroid Belt: A game about asteroids
- Deep Space: A game about the distant stars
- Star Gazer: A game about the night sky
- Space Race: A game about space exploration
Space Movies
There are many great space movies that can help kids learn about space. These can be educational and entertaining at the same time.
Many of these movies are available on DVD, or you can find them through online streaming services.
Some great space movies for kids include:
- The Magic School Bus Lost in Space
- The Little Prince
- A Wrinkle in Time
- Interstellar
- The Martian
- Gravity
- Hidden
Lay Under The Stars
Last but not least, go out into the yard, find a spot to lay down, and simply look up at the stars.
This is a great way to relax and appreciate the night sky. It’s also a great way to point out constellations and discuss the different planets visible in the sky.
It’s a wonderful way to spend time as a family and helps everyone relax together too.