Celebrate National Astronaut Day with these creative, educational, and fun space-themed activities.
Imagine graduating from the United States Naval Academy, becoming a top-tier aviator, and finally achieving the ultimate dream: being selected by NASA as an astronaut. You train for years. You are selected for a mission… only to have it canceled. Tough luck, right?
You don’t give up. You get selected for another mission. But this time, a severe ear infection grounds you. Most people would quit. But not Alan Shepard.
He persisted, and finally, on May 5th, 1961, he boarded the Apollo 14 mission and became the first American to travel into space.
It is this spirit of resilience, curiosity, and bravery that we celebrate on National Astronaut Day (May 5th). It is a day to honor the heroes who leave our atmosphere to expand our understanding of the universe.
Whether you are a teacher planning a STEM unit, a homeschool parent looking for a science activity, or just looking for a rainy-day project, these 15 Amazing Astronaut Crafts for Kids are the perfect way to spark an interest in the cosmos.
Why Teach Kids About Astronauts?
Before we get the glue sticks out, let’s talk about why space is such a vital topic for early childhood development.
- Resilience and Problem Solving: As Alan Shepard’s story shows, being an astronaut is about overcoming obstacles.
- STEM Engagement: Space introduces physics (gravity), math (distances), and engineering (rockets) in a way that feels like magic rather than homework.
- Cultural Appreciation: Space travel is a global effort. It teaches children that people from all backgrounds—men, women, and people of various ethnicities—work together for the good of humanity.
Top 5 Books to Read Before Crafting
To get the creative juices flowing, pair your craft time with a good book. Here are five highly-rated astronaut books for children:
- “Astronauts: A Kid’s Guide” by A.D. Largie – A fantastic non-fiction introduction.
- “The Darkest Dark” by Chris Hadfield – Written by a real astronaut, this helps kids overcome fear of the dark.
- “A Visit to a Space Station” by Claire Throp – A look at daily life in zero gravity.
- “When I’m an Astronaut” by Samantha Pillay – Empowering and fun.
- “Bella the Scientist Goes to Outer Space” by Silvana Spence – Great for encouraging girls in science.
15 Amazing Astronaut Crafts for Kids
Here is our curated list of crafts, ranging from simple paper projects for toddlers to more complex STEM builds for older kids.
1. The Multicultural Paper Astronaut
Space is for everyone. Did you know the first African-American astronaut was Guion Bluford? Or that women like Sally Ride and Mae Jemison shattered glass ceilings?
- The Craft: Create a standard astronaut body template using white cardstock. The key here is to provide a variety of skin-tone crayons or paper for the face inside the helmet.
- Why we love it: It creates a sense of belonging. Every child should be able to look at their craft and say, “That astronaut looks like me!”
2. The “Rocking” Spaceman
Astronauts have to exercise for two hours a day to prevent bone loss in zero gravity. Movement is key!
- The Craft: Fold a standard paper plate in half to create a rocker base. Glue a paper astronaut cutout to the top center. When you tap the side of the plate, the astronaut rocks back and forth.
- The Lesson: Discuss gravity and why things float (or rock) differently in space.
3. Recycled Bottle Jetpacks
This is a classic that never gets old. It turns your child into the astronaut.
- The Craft: Take two empty 2-liter soda bottles and spray paint them silver. Tape them together side-by-side. Glue red and orange tissue paper to the bottom (the nozzles) to look like fire. Attach straps using ribbon or duct tape so your child can wear it like a backpack.
- Activity: Go outside and run!
4. The Personalized Photo Helmet
This is a parent favorite because it makes for an adorable keepsake.
- The Craft: Cut a large circle out of white paper and draw the details of a helmet and space suit body. Instead of drawing a face, print out a photo of your child’s face and glue it inside the helmet visor.
- Tip: Laminate these to use as bookmarks or fridge magnets.
5. Toilet Roll Space Crew
Don’t throw away those cardboard tubes!
- The Craft: Paint a toilet paper roll white. Wrap a strip of silver foil around the top for the helmet. Cut a hole for the face. Use markers to draw buttons, hoses, and mission patches on the body.
- Challenge: Make a whole crew, including an alien or two!
6. Foil-Printed Moon Walk
One of the most iconic images of space travel is the boot print on the moon.
- The Craft: Cut a boot shape out of a sponge or thick cardboard. Wrap it in aluminum foil for texture. Dip it in gray paint and stamp “footprints” onto black construction paper.
- Add details: Splatter white paint with a toothbrush over the black paper first to create a starry background.
7. The Wacky Alien Encounter
Sometimes, imagination is more important than accuracy.
- The Craft: Draw a standard astronaut, but swap the helmet for something wild—maybe he is wearing an alien blobfish as a hat, or has three eyes!
- The Story: Ask your child to write a short story explaining who their astronaut met on Mars.
8. Straw Rockets
This introduces basic physics and propulsion.
- The Craft: Draw a small astronaut or rocket (about 2 inches tall). Tape a small piece of wide drinking straw (sealed at one top end) to the back. Slide a thinner straw inside the wider one.
- The Action: Blow hard into the thin straw. The air pressure will launch the astronaut across the room!
9. Paper Bag Astronaut Puppets
Perfect for storytelling and dramatic play.
- The Craft: Use a white paper lunch bag. The flap at the bottom (when folded flat) serves as the face/helmet. The long part is the body. Decorate with markers and stickers.
- Playtime: Put on a puppet show reenacting the moon landing.
10. Space Sensory Bin
For toddlers who aren’t ready for scissors and glue.
- The Setup: Fill a bin with black beans or dyed black rice (to represent space). Add glow-in-the-dark stars, foil balls (asteroids), and small plastic astronaut figurines.
- Skill: Let them dig, pour, and explore textures.
11. Popsicle Stick Space Ladders
- The Craft: Glue popsicle sticks together to form a ladder shape. Glue a small paper astronaut climbing the ladder.
- Context: Explain how astronauts have to perform “Spacewalks” (EVA) to fix the outside of the International Space Station.
12. “View from the Visor” Art
- The Concept: Instead of drawing the astronaut, draw what the astronaut sees.
- The Craft: Cut a large shape resembling a helmet visor. Inside the shape, have the child draw Earth from far away, a swirling galaxy, or a Martian landscape.
13. DIY Cardboard Box Helmet
If you have a square delivery box, you have a helmet.
- The Craft: Cut a large rectangle out of one side for the visor. Paint the box white. Add dials and knobs using bottle caps.
- Safety Tip: Make sure the hole is big enough for the head to fit comfortably and ensure there are air holes!
14. LEGO Astronaut Challenge
Sometimes the best craft is construction.
- The Activity: Dump out the LEGO bin. The challenge? Build a rover that an astronaut could drive on a rocky planet.
- Focus: It doesn’t need to look pretty; it needs to be functional. Does it have wheels? An antenna? A seat?
15. The “Healthy Astronaut” Plate
Combine crafting with nutrition.
- The Craft: Use a paper plate. Have the child cut out pictures of healthy foods from grocery circulars that an astronaut would need to eat to stay strong (vegetables, proteins). Glue them onto the plate.
- Discussion: Talk about how astronauts eat dehydrated food in space!
Tips for a Successful Craft Session
- Prep the Mess: If you are using glitter (star dust) or paint, lay down newspaper first.
- Recycle: Use foil wrappers, old boxes, and plastic bottles. It teaches sustainability alongside science.
- Let Them Lead: If your child wants to make a purple astronaut suit instead of white, let them! Creativity breeds innovation.
Conclusion
National Astronaut Day on May 5th is a wonderful reminder that the sky is not the limit—it is just the beginning.
Through these 15 astronaut crafts, children can explore the wonders of the universe while developing fine motor skills and creative thinking. Whether they are launching straw rockets or painting moon rocks, they are stepping into the boots of heroes like Alan Shepard.