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Space Theme

By Karen Cox | Affiliate Disclosure | Filed Under: Outer Space Theme

Pre-K & Preschool theme ideas for learning about space: planets, stars, astronauts.

Space Activities Preschool Pre-K

Find more Space Activities for Pre-K

Books


Outer Space Books for Children

Check here for a complete list of Books about Space

Space Large Motor Games

Moonwalk

We listen to slow music and pretend we were on the moon, moving in slow motion.

Counting Backward

We erase numbers 10-1 from the board as the class counts backward. We pretend to be space shuttles. The children squat on the floor and count backwards to blastoff. Everyone jumps up as high as they can.

Space Fine Motor Activities

Alien Play Dough

Mix wiggle eyes into the play dough for children to find.

Alien Play Dough

Space Art Activities

Coffee Filter Planets

The children paint a coffee filter with watercolors, and glue it onto black paper.

Planet Art

Planet Earth Art

Children cut a circle out of white construction paper, cover the circle with blue tissue paper, and paint over it with liquid starch to make it stick. They tear pieces of green construction paper and glue them on the circle for the land.

Earth Day Art
Earth Day Art

Space Literacy Activities

Name Rocket

Children write each letter of their name on squares of paper, glue the letters in order on paper, and decorate it to look like a rocket.

Name Rockets

Story Retelling

This is an activity that goes with any theme. Choose a book that goes with the theme, and have the children retell the story.
Read the blog post here for details: story retelling

Space Math Activities

Star Sizes

Each child has a small, medium and large sheet of black paper, and small, medium and large paper stars. They sort the stars by size and glue them on the three papers.

Star Size Sorting

Number Constellations

Children are given a piece of construction paper with a number written on it in black ink. Children place the paper on the carpet and poke small holes along the numeral with a toothpick. When they finished, they hold the paper up to the light, and it looks like stars are shining through in the shape of the number. This activity can also be done with letters.

Number Constellations

Space Grid Game

Children use a grid game board with ten wooden stars spray-painted gold. They roll a die and count out that amount of stars to put on the grid. The object of the game is to fill the grid. Children can play alone or with other players. This game was made with stickers bought at Michaels.

Space Grid Game

Space Grid Game (Printable)

Here’s another version of a grid game that you can print rather than make with stickers. You could still use the same stars for the counters, or use glass flat marbles, or foam star shapes. This printable can be found on the More Grid Games page.

Space Grid Game Printable

Space Science Activities

Constellation Viewers

The children color a paper towel tube with markers. We cover the end with a circle of black paper, attach it with a rubber band, and poke holes in the paper with a toothpick. When the viewer is held up to the light it looks like stars are shining through.

Constellation Viewer

Moonscapes

First we look at photos of the moon and talk about its surface (color, craters, mountains, etc.) Then we make a model moonscape. The children spread Crayola Model Magic onto a paper plate. They use toothpicks for carving and small rocks (“asteroids”) to crash into the dough to make craters. We paint them gray and add a mini American cupcake flag (can be found at Hobby Lobby and other stores).

Clay Moonscapes for Pre-K

Day and Night

On one half of the paper, children draw things they would see in the sky at night (stars, moon, etc). On the other half, they draw things they would see in the sky in the day (sun, clouds, etc).

drawing of things in day and things at night

More

Rhymes

Nursery rhymes that go well with a Space Theme:

  • Star Light, Star Bright

Look for a printable poster of this rhyme on the Nursery Rhymes Page.

Songs

  • Countdown to Blastoff, by Jack Hartmann on the “Math All Around Me” CD
  • Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, by Jack Hartmann on the “Rhymin’ to the Beat Vol. 1” CD
  • Starlight, Starbright, by Jack Hartmann on the “Rhymin’ to the Beat Vol. 2” CD
  • Chu Ech On, “Multicultural Rhythm Stick Fun” CD, by Kimbo
  • The Planets, by Gustav Holst

Links

  • Space Activities @ Growing in Pre-K
  • Space @ Enchanted Learning
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About Karen Cox

Karen is the founder of PreKinders.com. She also works as a full-time Pre-K teacher in Georgia. Read more...

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Welcome!

Glad you're here! You'll find hands-on learning activities, themes, and printables for Pre-K, Preschool, and Kindergarten kids. I'm Karen Cox, a Pre-K teacher in Georgia. I have taught 4-5 year olds for 20+ years! Read More…

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Join here to get weekly emails with free printables and activities for Pre-K!
We collect, use, and process your data according to our Privacy Policy.
Don't worry - we never sell or share email addresses!