Is your child fascinated by the wonders of space? We know how tricky it can be to find fun, educational activities that spark their interest.
But what if we told you there’s a way to bring the solar system into your home?
We’ve assembled 33 exciting solar system craft ideas to captivate your kids and teach them about space.
From planet mobiles to rocket ships, these hands-on projects will fuel their imagination and boost their knowledge.
Ready to embark on a cosmic adventure with your little astronauts? Let’s explore these out-of-this-world crafts that will excite your kids over the moon!
Fun Solar System Craft Ideas for Kids
1. Planet Mobile
Material Required: Foam balls, paint, string, wooden dowel.
How to Craft:
- Paint the foam balls in the colors of each planet.
- Once dry, poke a hole in the top of each ball.
- Cut strings of varying lengths and tie them to the balls.
- Attach the other end of the strings to a wooden dowel.
- Hang the mobile from the ceiling.
2. Galaxy Jar
Material Required: Jar, water, glitter, food coloring, cotton balls.
How to Craft:
- Fill the jar halfway with water.
- Add a few drops of food coloring and mix.
- Add glitter for stars.
- Layer cotton balls on top to create a nebula effect.
- Seal the jar and shake gently.
3. Solar System Model
Material Required: Various-sized balls (or fruits), paint, cardboard base.
How to Craft:
- Paint the balls to represent each planet.
- Arrange the balls on a cardboard base according to their distance from the sun.
- Use sticks or strings to elevate some planets.
- Label each planet with names.
4. Lunar Phases Wheel
Material Required: Paper plates, markers, scissors, brad fasteners.
How to Craft:
- Cut one plate into a wheel and the other into a moon shape.
- Draw the phases of the moon on the wheel.
- Attach the moon shape to the center with a brad.
- Rotate to view different phases.
5. Rocket Launch Experiment
Material Required: Baking soda, vinegar, plastic bottle, cork.
How to Craft:
- Fill the bottle with vinegar.
- Add baking soda in a tissue paper and quickly seal with a cork.
- Step back and watch the rocket launch!
- Repeat as desired.
6. Comet Craft
Material Required: Cotton balls, glitter, string, cardboard.
How to Craft:
- Form a comet shape using cotton balls.
- Attach string to the back to hang.
- Cover with glitter for a sparkling effect.
- Display as a mobile.
7. Planetary Masks
Material Required: Cardstock, scissors, elastic string, markers.
How to Craft:
- Cut out mask shapes from cardstock.
- Decorate each mask to represent a different planet.
- Punch holes on either side of the mask.
- Tie an elastic string to the holes for wearing.
8. Starry Night Painting
Material Required: Canvas, glow-in-the-dark paint, brushes.
How to Craft:
- Paint a night sky on the canvas using dark colors.
- Add stars using a brush or sponge.
- Once dry, paint over the stars with glow-in-the-dark paint.
- Allow to dry completely before displaying.
9. Asteroid Belt Necklace
Material Required: Small rocks or beads, string.
How to Craft:
- Thread small rocks or beads onto a string.
- Create a pattern if desired.
- Tie the ends to create a necklace.
- Wear or gift the necklace.
10. Star Finder
Material Required: Cardboard, compass, markers.
How to Craft:
- Create a circular cardboard base.
- Mark constellations on the circle.
- Attach a compass in the center.
- Use it to find stars in the night sky.
11. Space Scene Collage
Material Required: Magazines, scissors, glue, poster board.
How to Craft:
- Cut out images related to space from magazines.
- Arrange them on poster board.
- Glue the pictures down.
- Add captions or facts about each element.
12. Cosmic Coloring Pages
Material Required: Paper, markers, crayons.
How to Craft:
- Draw various space scenes on paper.
- Leave sections uncolored for coloring fun.
- Distribute to friends or family for coloring.
- Share your finished pages!
13. DIY Planetarium
Material Required: Cardboard, flashlight, scissors.
How to Craft:
- Cut a hole in the cardboard to fit a flashlight.
- Create star shapes to attach around the hole.
- Darken the room and shine the flashlight to see the stars.
- Experiment with different star shapes.
14. Alien Handprints
Material Required: Paint, paper, googly eyes.
How to Craft:
- Dip hands in paint and press onto paper.
- Use paint to add alien features.
- Glue googly eyes to enhance the design.
- Allow to dry and display.
15. Planetary Shadow Box
Material Required: Shadow box frame, cardstock, LED lights.
How to Craft:
- Cut out shapes of planets from cardstock.
- Attach LED lights inside the shadow box.
- Arrange planets in a 3D setup.
- Seal the box and display.
16. Nebula Painting
Material Required: Canvas, sponges, acrylic paint.
How to Craft:
- Use sponges to apply various colors onto the canvas.
- Blend colors to create a nebula effect.
- Allow to dry and display your cosmic artwork.
- Experiment with different colors.
17. Space Play Dough
Material Required: Flour, salt, water, food coloring.
How to Craft:
- Mix flour, salt, and water to form dough.
- Divide into portions and color with food coloring.
- Shape into planets and stars.
- Use for creative play or crafting.
18. Planet Bingo
Material Required: Bingo cards, markers, tokens.
How to Craft:
- Create bingo cards with planets and space objects.
- Distribute cards and markers to players.
- Call out space terms for players to mark.
- The first to get a bingo wins!
19. Star Wands
Material Required: Craft sticks, paper, glue, glitter.
How to Craft:
- Cut star shapes from paper and decorate them with glitter.
- Glue the stars to the tops of craft sticks.
- Allow to dry completely.
- Use them for imaginative play or decorations.
20. Alien Sock Puppets
Material Required: Old socks, googly eyes, fabric scraps.
How to Craft:
- Decorate socks with fabric scraps and googly eyes.
- Add any other embellishments for alien features.
- Use them for storytelling or puppet shows.
- Create a whole alien family!
21. Rock Planet Diorama
Material Required: Shoebox, clay, paint, miniature figures.
How to Craft:
- Paint the interior of the shoe box as the background.
- Use clay to form rocky planet surfaces.
- Add miniature figures or space scenes.
- Place the lid back on to display.
22. Colorful Solar System Posters
Material Required: Poster board, markers, printouts.
How to Craft:
- Research and gather images of the solar system.
- Arrange and glue images onto poster board.
- Write facts about each planet.
- Hang the poster for display.
23. DIY Telescope
Material Required: Cardboard tubes, magnifying glass, tape.
How to Craft:
- Tape two cardboard tubes together to extend the length.
- Attach a magnifying glass to one end using tape.
- Decorate the telescope with paint or stickers.
- Use it to observe the night sky.
24. Planet Pinwheels
Material Required: Colored paper, scissors, straws, and pins.
How to Craft:
- Cut out circles from colored paper.
- Create pinwheel shapes by cutting slits toward the center.
- Attach the center with a pin to a straw.
- Blow to see them spin.
25. Starry Night Sky Jar
Material Required: Jar, black paper, glitter, LED tea light.
How to Craft:
- Cut black paper into star shapes and stick them inside the jar.
- Add glitter for a starry effect.
- Place an LED tea light at the bottom of the jar.
- Seal the jar and enjoy the glowing effect.
26. Space-Themed Scrapbook
Material Required: Scrapbook, printed space images, stickers.
How to Craft:
- Gather images and stickers related to space.
- Arrange them creatively in the scrapbook.
- Write captions or facts about each image.
- Decorate the pages as desired.
27. Solar System Wheel
Material Required: Paper plates, scissors, markers, brad fasteners.
How to Craft:
- Cut one paper plate into a smaller circle for the sun.
- Use another plate to create a rotating wheel with planets drawn on it.
- Attach the sun and wheel with a Brad fastener.
- Spin to learn about each planet.
28. Solar System Garland
Material Required: Colored paper, string, scissors, tape.
How to Craft:
- Cut out circles from colored paper to represent each planet.
- Decorate each circle with details about the planet.
- Tape the planets to a string, spacing them out evenly.
- Hang the garland as decoration.
29. Planet T-Shirts
Material Required: Plain T-shirts, fabric paint, and brushes.
How to Craft:
- Use fabric paint to create designs of planets on the T-shirts.
- Allow the paint to dry completely according to instructions.
- Wear or gift the T-shirts to friends or family.
30. Sun Catchers
Material Required: Clear plastic sheets, tissue paper, scissors, glue.
How to Craft:
- Cut clear plastic sheets into shapes of planets and the sun.
- Glue pieces of tissue paper onto the plastic to create color.
- Hang them in windows to catch the sunlight.
- Enjoy the colorful display.
31. Cosmic Rocks
Material Required: Rocks, acrylic paint, and paintbrushes.
How to Craft:
- Collect small rocks and clean them.
- Use acrylic paint to decorate them as planets or stars.
- Allow the paint to dry.
- Display your cosmic rocks in a garden or on a shelf.
32. Mini Solar System in a Bottle
Material Required: Small plastic balls, clear bottle, glue, paint.
How to Craft:
- Paint small plastic balls to represent each planet.
- Once dry, glue them inside a clear bottle in order.
- Seal the bottle and label it.
- Display it as a miniature solar system.
33. Asteroid Belt Craft
Material Required: Small pebbles, paint, cardboard base.
How to Craft:
- Paint small pebbles to resemble asteroids.
- Arrange them on a cardboard base to form an asteroid belt.
- Label the belt and display it.
- Use it as part of a larger solar system project.
Conclusion
We hope these 35 solar system craft ideas have sparked your child’s imagination and love for space. Each project offers a unique way to explore the cosmos from home, from creating colorful planets to building model rockets.
Remember, the goal isn’t just to make pretty crafts and encourage learning and curiosity about our universe. As you work on these projects together, you teach your kids about space and foster creativity, problem-solving skills, and quality family time.
So, grab your craft supplies and get ready for liftoff! Who knows? Your little one might just become the next great astronomer or space explorer. The universe is vast, and so is your child’s potential.
Happy crafting, space cadets!