11 Outer Space Crafts for Kids That Are Totally Out of This World Fun
Who else has a kiddo obsessed with rockets, planets, and asking, “how far is the moon?” Same here! There’s just something magical about outer space that gets all of us pumped to create, imagine, and maybe make a little mess in the process as we dive into our outer space unit .
We love outer space crafts and other fun space crafts because they let us play, learn, and bond—with a little glitter and glue along the way.
Whether it’s a rainy weekend or just another Tuesday when everyone needs a break from screens, diving into a pile of space-themed craft supplies never gets old. Ready to get crafty and blast off together?
1) Foil-Covered Styrofoam Planet Models
This one is super simple and actually pretty cute, especially when we add colorful paper rockets to our craft . We grab some Styrofoam balls, wrap them in shiny aluminum foil, and—boom—they magically become planets!
Let the kids squish and crinkle the foil around the balls. They love that part, and honestly, so do we.
If we’re feeling extra, we color on the foil with markers to make each “planet” unique. For more inspo, check out these solar system crafts with Styrofoam and foil.
2) Black Paper Crayon Galaxy Drawings
Let’s be real—black paper and crayons are magic together when it’s time for some galaxy vibes. We just let the kids go wild drawing planets, stars, and maybe a sneaky alien or two.
The colors pop like crazy on black paper. Messy hands? Totally part of the fun.
If we want to level up, we’ve seen folks add details with white pastel crayons or glue for those perfect star rings.
3) Coffee Filter Planet Suncatchers
Grab those coffee filters, friends, because we’re off to make space look fabulous! We just need markers, water, and a little patience for things to dry (hard, right?).
We color our filters to match our favorite planets. Then we spritz them with water and watch the colors blend for a magical spacey vibe.
When they dry, we hang them in the window, and suddenly, our living room is giving off major solar system energy. Check out this idea at this coffee filter planets project!
4) Paper Plate UFOs with Googly Eyes
Who doesn’t want a wiggly-eyed alien zooming around their living room? We grab paper plates, get the older kids painting them silver or neon green, and then stick on googly eyes everywhere!
Cutting out little circles for alien heads is totally optional, but trust us, the more googly eyes, the better. Want a step-by-step? Check out this cute and easy paper plate UFO craft.
5) Pom-Pom Painted Moons
We grab some pom-poms, dip them in paint, and dab away to make a moon that’s perfectly bumpy—just like the real deal. No fancy paintbrushes needed!
This is totally doable for littles and big kids alike. It’s not too messy, either—unless someone really goes wild with the pom-poms.
Check out more on this easy project with full steps at this cute moon craft idea.
6) Cardboard Tube Rockets
Let’s grab those empty toilet paper rolls—don’t pretend you don’t have a stash, we all do. This craft is simple, fast, and perfect for when our kids say, “I’m bored” for the 35th time today.
We wrap the tubes in colored paper, add triangles for the tip, and draw little windows. You can check out easy steps to make cardboard tube rockets with the kids.
No rocket science degree required—just some glue, giggles, and a little creativity!
7) Torn Paper Space Tear Art
Sometimes we just need an easy win. Torn paper space tear art is such a chill project—no scissors, no perfection needed.
Just grab some colored paper, tear it up, and start creating your own galaxy. We love that little hands, especially from preschoolers, can build planets, stars, and rockets.
Plus, it’s a sneaky way to work on those fine motor skills! For more inspo, check out some torn paper planets ideas.
8) Marbled Planet Art with Paint
Who else loves a good mess? This marbled planet art is basically an excuse for us and our littles to play with shaving cream and paint—no judging here!
We cut out some circles, swirl paint into shaving cream, and press the paper down. The reveal is SO satisfying.
Every planet comes out different and totally awesome. Want to see some inspo? Check out this super simple how-to for marbled planets. Let’s get messy and make our solar system!
9) Galactic Mobiles with Stars and Planets
Who didn’t want their own galaxy as a kid? We can make one with just some paper, string, and a dash of kid creativity.
Cut out the planets and stars (they don’t have to be perfect, trust us). There’s a simple space mobile guide over at NASA’s Space Place for kids—so easy, we can all handle it, even on zero sleep!
Check it out for inspiration at Make a Galactic Mobile.
10) Edible Asteroids (Rock Candy)
Sometimes we just need a craft you can eat! We love making edible asteroids with rock candy and a little imagination, perfect for a space themed birthday party .
We grab some candy rocks, mix them up in bowls, and let the kids “discover” and munch their own tasty meteorites. It’s messy, sticky, and totally worth it for all the giggles.
If you’re looking for inspiration, check out this super easy edible rocks activity. No judgment if we sneak a few pieces for ourselves, too!
11) Rocket Ship Origami Bookmarks
Who doesn’t lose their page at least twice during story time? We can totally fix that with these super cute rocket ship origami bookmarks.
All it takes is paper, scissors, and glue—and maybe a snack break. We fold, stick on some details, and boom—now we have rockets flying through our favorite books.
You can find step-by-step directions for rocket bookmarks at ArtsyCraftsyMom’s rocket corner bookmark guide. Let’s blast off, book lovers!
Benefits Of Outer Space Crafts For Kids
When we dive into space crafts, we’re mixing learning with some serious fun. We’ve seen how these DIY adventures can build real-life skills and spark new interests that go way beyond craft time.
Encouraging Creativity And Imagination
Outer space crafts are our kids’ tickets to thinking outside the box (or the atmosphere!). One minute we’re gluing stars on cardboard.
The next, we’re dreaming up new planets or designing spaceships from random kitchen junk. It’s not just about making things look pretty.
Kids invent their own alien species, imagine life on Saturn, or decide which colors belong in their galaxy, inspired by the phases of the moon . We love that these out-of-this-world projects let little minds run wild.
These crafts give kids space (pun totally intended) to express themselves in fresh ways, while also incorporating math skill . Art and craft activities like these actually help kids develop their creativity.
That sneaks into other parts of life—building problem-solving muscles and helping with schoolwork, too. Every crayon swirl and glued button makes their art feel more “them,” not a cookie-cutter copy.
We can’t get enough of their wild creations and the stories they tell! There are zero limits here, and honestly, that’s the real magic.
Building Teamwork And Confidence
So many of us know the struggle of sibling squabbles or shy kiddos. That’s why space crafts are amazing—they give everyone a common goal: build the coolest rocket or invent the silliest alien.
Kids trade ideas, take turns, and—let’s be real—learn how to handle glitter spills as a team. Cheering each other on and solving creative “emergencies” (like the time we lost a googly eye) helps build friendships and trust.
We’ve seen even the quietest children light up when their spaceship is front and center on the table. Every finished craft gives them a boost—they know they created something awesome!
This kind of win goes beyond art time and pops up next time they try something new. Pro tip: Showing off those cosmic creations on the fridge or sharing a picture with friends adds an extra layer of pride.
Go ahead and celebrate those out-of-this-world wins with an easy craft —we all need that little confidence rocket sometimes!
Making Space Crafts Fun (Not Frustrating!)
We all want our space crafts to be a fun activity for our kids without turning the kitchen table into a hot mess or an argument factory. Sometimes, a little planning and creativity go a long way in keeping things cute and stress-free.
Mess-Reducing Tips For Crafting With Kids
Let’s be real—kids and glue are a wild combo! We’ve learned to keep wipes and paper towels right at arm’s reach.
We love using washable craft supplies when we can. If glitter’s involved (why do we do this to ourselves?!), a baking sheet is our BFF for catching the sparkly stuff.
Disposable tablecloths or even old newspaper make clean-up so much easier. We always set out only as many supplies as we need for the step we’re on.
No need for chaos to break out before we even finish the rocket’s nose cone! Sometimes, we set up a “mess zone” and a “clean zone.”
Glue and cutting stay in one spot, assembly happens in another. And let the kids help with the clean-up—putting on music and making it a two-minute race turns it into less of a battle.
Upcycling Household Items For Space Projects
We don’t always have fancy supplies on hand. That’s cool, because upcycling household stuff not only saves money—it also helps kids spot the magic hiding in everyday things, especially in a rocket ship craft !
Old toilet paper rolls make perfect little paper roll rockets or even mini telescopes. Honestly, I can’t look at a roll the same way anymore.
Empty cereal boxes or egg cartons? Those turn into moon bases and alien spaceships before you know it.
We just grab some tape, paint, or foil wrappers and let the ideas fly. The possibilities are wild.
Here’s a quick list to raid your recyclables:
- Toilet paper rolls: Rockets & telescopes
- Cereal boxes: Launch control panels
- Plastic bottle caps: UFOs, planet bases
- Foil wrappers: Shiny satellites or stars
We’re turning trash into treasure. And honestly, it feels good to keep the fun going without all the plastic guilt.
