World Space Week 2024: Quick and Fun Space-Themed Activities for Children at Home
From October 4th to 10th, we’re celebrating World Space Week 2024, and this year’s theme is “Space & Climate Change.” It’s the perfect opportunity to get your children excited about space exploration while learning a little about climate science, too.
For each day of Space Week, we’ve got a new space-themed activity lined up – quick, easy-to-set-up STEM projects that will capture your child’s imagination and curiosity! No need to worry if you’re not familiar with these topics, we’ve included simple explanations to help you confidently talk about space and climate change with your children.
If you’re looking for more space-themed fun, don’t miss our other blogs: Space Activities for Children – FREE Printable Space Activity Pack and Space-Themed Activities – Ideas to Make Their Space-Day Out of This World! and of course play space games on Busy Things!
So, let’s countdown and blast off into 7 days of fun-filled, easy ways to explore the wonders of space and climate change together!
- Day 1: Rocket Quest – Balloon Rockets Science Experiment
- Day 2: Cosmic Craft – DIY Constellations
- Day 3: Space Recyclers – Build a Rocket from Recycled Materials
- Day 4: Solar Explorer – Make a Solar-Powered Oven
- Day 5: Earth from Above – Paint Your Planet
- Day 6: Astronaut Fitness Challenge – Space Walk Obstacle Course
- Day 7: Stargazing and Chat About Climate
Day 1: Rocket Quest – Balloon Rockets Science Experiment
Blast Off into Space!
Start your space adventure with a fun and easy “Rocket Quest”! Today, we’ll be creating our very own balloon rockets. This activity is not only a blast but also a great way to introduce your child to how rockets and satellites work.
What You’ll Need:
- A balloon
- A piece of string
- A straw
- Tape
How to Launch a Balloon Rocket:
- Thread the string through the straw and tie the string between two points—like across two chairs or a door frame.
- Inflate the balloon but don’t tie it. Tape the balloon to the straw.
- Let go of the balloon and watch as it zooms along the string like a real rocket!
Watch this Space Experiment in Action: Balloon Rocket Science Experiment for Kids
A Fun Space Fact to Share: “Rockets and satellites help us learn about our planet and space. Just like our balloon rocket zooms along the string, real rockets take satellites into space to keep an eye on things like our climate, the weather, and even how much ice is melting in the Arctic. This helps scientists track changes on Earth.”
Where to Learn More: For more cool space and climate facts, check out NASA’s Climate Kids—it’s packed with simple and exciting info for curious minds!
Activity Time: 10-15 minutes
Parent Pro-tip: Use this quick-to-setup space activity as an opportunity to discuss how real rockets work and introduce some basic physics concepts. Explain to your child how rockets use fuel to create thrust (just like the air in the balloon) and how the shape of the rocket affects its flight (you could experiment with different-shaped balloons to test this).
Day 2: Cosmic Craft – DIY Star Constellations
Create Your Own Starry Night!
Ready to explore the night sky from your own home? Today’s “Cosmic Craft” transforms your space into a mini planetarium with DIY star constellations. This fun and creative activity combines art with science, making it a stellar way for your child to learn about the stars!
What You’ll Need:
- Black paper
- A torch
- A toothpick
How to Create a Constellation:
- Use the toothpick to punch holes in the black paper, creating the shapes of famous constellations like Orion’s Belt or The Plough (you can discover more about constellations and find them in the night sky using apps or star maps).
- Tape the black paper over the torch.
- Turn off the lights and shine the “starry” torch onto the walls or ceiling to see your constellations come to life!
A Starry Insight for Kids: “Constellations are groups of stars that form patterns or shapes in the night sky. Just like our torch shows the constellations on the walls, real satellites and telescopes in space help scientists see the stars and planets in the sky. They also monitor Earth’s atmosphere, helping us understand weather patterns and pollution levels.”
Where to Learn More: Watch this video to learn about the types of constellations, their names, and how to find them in and explore NASA’s Solar System Exploration for Kids.
Activity Time: 10-20 minutes
Parent Pro-tip: Perfect for winding down before bedtime, this space craft is simple and soothing – a great way to end the day!
Day 3: Space Recyclers – Build a Rocket from Recycled Materials
Blast Off with Recycled Rockets!
Today’s “Space Recyclers” adventure turns household items into a fantastic rocket! This eco-friendly craft is not only fun but also a way to teach children about space technology and the importance of recycling.
What You’ll Need:
- A toilet paper roll
- Paint
- Tin foil
- Scrap paper
How to Build a space rocket:
- Wrap the toilet paper roll in tin foil to give it a sleek, metallic look.
- Add paper wings to the roll and paint or decorate it as you like.
- Let your child’s creativity shine as they make their rocket ready for launch!
A Cosmic Conversation Starter: “Just like we’re reusing materials to build our rocket, scientists are working hard to clean up space debris from old satellites and rockets. Keeping space clean is super important for protecting new satellites and future missions. Plus, recycling helps us take care of our own planet too!”
Where to Learn More: Learn more about space junk and how it’s managed on Newsround article.
Busy Things Space Rocket: Design a spacecraft on Busy Things.
Activity Time: 20-30 minutes
Parent Pro-tip: Encourage your child to get creative with their rocket design and think about what their rocket needs for space travel. Ask questions like, “What tools or gadgets might an astronaut need?” or “How can we make sure our rocket is ready for lift-off?” This craft not only fosters creativity but also introduces basic concepts of aeronautics in a fun and engaging way.
Day 4: Solar Explorer – Make a Solar-Powered Oven
Cook with Sunshine!
Prepare for a delicious and educational “Solar Explorer” project! Build a simple solar-powered oven and cook up a tasty snack. This activity is a fantastic way to discover solar energy and its impact on climate change.
What You’ll Need:
- A cardboard box
- tin foil
- cling film
- Black paper
How to Build a solar oven:
- Line the inside of the cardboard box with tin foil to reflect sunlight.
- Place black paper inside the box to absorb heat.
- Cover the box with cling film to create a greenhouse effect.
- Place the box in direct sunlight and try cooking a snack like nachos or marshmallows and chocolate.
Watch an example of a Solar Oven in Action on YouTube: Solar Oven Tutorial
A Solar Snippet to Share: “Solar energy from the sun can power homes, cars, and even space stations! By harnessing the sun’s energy, we can cut down on pollution and help fight climate change. Just like our solar oven uses sunlight to cook, solar panels use sunlight to generate electricity.”
Where to Learn More: You can dive deeper into solar energy here.
Activity Time: 30-40 minutes
Parent Pro-tip: If the weather isn’t sunny enough for your solar oven, try baking planet cookies instead. Keep the energy theme going by discussing how the oven uses energy and the different forms of energy that could be used to power it – just like how the sun’s energy can be harnessed for cooking in sunny conditions!
Day 5: Earth from Above – Paint Your Planet
Discover Earth from Space!
Today’s “Earth from Above” activity lets your child paint our beautiful planet just like satellites see it from space. This creative project is perfect for learning about Earth observation and the vital role satellites play in understanding climate change.
What You’ll Need:
- Blue, green and white paints
- Paper
- Markers
How to Create an Earth Painting:
- Help your child paint Earth using blue for oceans, green for land, and white for ice and clouds
- Encourage them to be imaginative and add their own details, like mountains, forests and their favourite landmarks.
A Cosmic Conversation Starter: “Satellites in space take pictures of Earth to help scientists track changes, like how much ice is melting or how forests are disappearing. By seeing Earth from space, we can understand climate change better and take steps to protect our planet.”
Where to Learn More: Check out the European Space Agency’s Earth Observation Portal for fascinating insights into how satellites monitor our world.
Activity Time: 15-20 minutes
Parent Pro-tip: Use a world atlas to explore Earth’s layout and find your home. It’s a fun way to connect your child’s artwork with real-world geography!
Day 6: Astronaut Fitness Challenge – Space Walk Obstacle Course
Get Moving with a Space Walk Obstacle Course!
Time to get physical with a “Space Walk Obstacle Course”! This activity simulates a spacewalk and helps your child stay active while learning about space, astronaut fitness, and the challenges of working in space.
What You’ll Need:
- Pillows
- String
- Chairs
How to Set Up a Space-Themed Obstacle Course:
- Create an obstacle course using pillows as “moon rocks,” string as “laser beams,” and chairs as “space stations.”
- Have your child navigate the course, simulating a spacewalk!
A Fun Space Fact to Share: “Astronauts need to stay fit because working in space requires them to be strong and healthy. In space, there’s no gravity to help with movement, so they have to be extra fit to handle the physical challenges of floating and working in their space suits. This fitness helps them stay agile and perform tasks like repairing equipment or conducting experiments.””
Where to Learn More: Search for Astronaut interviews such as this one with Tim Peake to learn more about what life in space is like.
Activity Time: 20-30 minutes
Parent Pro-tip: This is a great way for kids to burn off energy and have fun. Challenge them to move like they’re in zero gravity – how would their movements change? Add some space-themed music to enhance the experience or play a game of musical space bumps while navigating the moon rock pillows!
Day 7: Stargazing and Chat About Climate
Wrap Up World Space Week with Stargazing
End World Space Week 2024 with a relaxing stargazing session. This “Stargazing and Chat” activity lets you spend quality time together while learning about the universe and our planet’s climate.
What You’ll Need:
- Blankets
- Hot chocolate (optional)
- Stargazing app or map (optional)
How to Stargaze:
- Lay out blankets in your garden or by a window.
- Grab some hot chocolate and gaze up at the stars together.
- See if you can spot any constellations and look out for shooting stars! Discuss how scientists use telescopes and satellites to study both space and our climate.
Watch this video for stargazing tips for beginners.
A Stellar insight: “As you look up at the stars, remember that scientists use powerful telescopes and satellites to explore space and learn about Earth’s climate. They monitor things like cloud cover and storms from space to understand how our climate is changing.”
Where to Learn More: For more on sky watching visit NASA and NASA’s Climate Kids.
Activity Time: 20-30 minutes
Parent Pro-tip: Stargazing is a peaceful, reflective way to end the week. Use this quiet time to discuss the week’s activities and what you’ve learned. Consider using a stargazing app to identify constellations together
Download Your Free Space Activity Pack!
Ready for More Space Fun?
If your little astronaut is still eager for more adventures, claim your Free Space Activity Pack! It’s packed with printable space-themed puzzles, crafts, and STEM challenges that will keep the excitement of space exploration going.
Do check out fun Space themed activities – ideas to really make their space-day! blog too!
Explore More Space-Themed activities on Busy Things!
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