Cool Craft Ideas with a Space Theme

Let’s get creative!

Please note: students may need adult supervision for some areas of these craft ideas.

Solar Space Rockets

This craft idea is super fun and hands-on and gets your students creating their very own rockets.

What you’ll need:

  • Empty juice bottle (remove the lid)
  • Coloured paper
  • PVA glue/Sellotape
  • Foam paper (any colour)
  • Decorations (stickers, glitter, beads etc.)

 

Method

  1. Firstly, cover the bottle with the coloured paper and secure with sellotape. Alternatively, the bottle could be covered in PVA glue and the paper layered over the top.
  2. Once the paper is covering the bottle, cut out four triangles from the foam paper and glue them at the base of the rocket, so each one is stuck at a quarter of the circle.
  3. Now the rocket is intact, it’s time to decorate it! You could add some foam stars, a bit of sparkle or even draw some planets to make the rocket super space-themed. Tip! Why not add some glow-in-the-dark paint to the rockets to play with under a dark light? Super fun!

 

Intergalactic Galaxy in a Jar

We think both you and your students will love this craft idea! It’s easy to make and also can be used as a calming jar, as the colours you can create are stunning,

What you’ll need:

  • Clean Mason jar with lid or something similar
  • Water
  • Glitter
  • Blue, purple and pink acrylic paint (or any other three colours)  
  • Cotton wool balls

 

Method

  1. To begin with, fill the jar  1/3rd full of water.
  2. Add several drops of the first paint to the water, put the lid back on the jar and shake it to mix the paint and water together.
  3. Then add a bit of glitter, which will act as the stars in the galaxy.
  4. Stretch out the cotton wool balls and add them to the water until the bottom is filled with cotton wool (you could use a stick or a long object to push them down further).
  5. Fill another 1/3rd of the jar with water and add several drops of another colour paint and repeat steps 2-4, so the colours start to mix in with each other.
  6. Finally repeat the steps 2-4 once again, pop the lid on and give the liquid a shake, so the colours all blend together and create an awesome galaxy effect – perfect!

 

Source: https://www.momdot.com/diy-nebula-jar-instructions/

Nova Moon Rocks

These erupting moon rocks are fun to create and we’re sure your students will enjoy making them, as it is a perfect sensory material.

Firstly, you’ll need to make the moon dough…

What you’ll need:

  • Two cups of baking soda
  • ¼ jug of water
  • Black and silver glitter
  • Black watercolour paint (liquid) or black food colouring
  • Small bowl
  • Squeezy bottle
  • Large tray or container

 

Method

  1. First of all, add the baking soda to a bowl and start slowly adding the water (you may not need all of the water, as you’ll only need to use as much as is needed to make the baking soda stick together). If too much water is added, it will make the baking soda dissolve, so adult supervision is best advised at this stage.
  2. Then slowly add the paint (liquid watercolour is preferable, as it washes out easily) and the glitter and mix together, until the texture of the dough is soft and gritty and holds its shape when rolled in to a ball. Tip! If the dough starts to dry, simply add a little more water.
  3. Once your students have rolled out their moon rocks, add them all to a large tray or container and fill the squeezy bottle with some vinegar.
  4. Then squirt the vinegar all over the moon rocks to see them fizz and erupt!

 

Sources: http://www.learnplayimagine.com/2014/05/baking-soda-dough.html / http://www.learnplayimagine.com/2014/06/moon-dough-recipe-for-play.html 

We really hoped you enjoyed these craft ideas! If you have any others you’d like to share, then do get in touch with us @EducationCity.