DIY Space Crafts for Kids
It is truly my belief that the best crafts are the most basic. And what is more basic than a triangle? Starting with this basic shape, you can find a million ways to create something unique and fun. And today, we are going to make DIY space crafts that are “out of this world”! Seriously, I am so excited about this and cannot wait to see your versions of the astronaut, alien, space shuttle, space rover and planets and moons. And making these easy crafts are just the beginning of the space activities that you can explore with these creations.
Make Even More Crafts with Your Kids (You’ll be so happy you did)
In addition to starting with a basic shape, ALL of these crafts are made using supplies from the same MASTER LIST that we use for every…single…craft on this site! And why would we do this? Well, I am so glad that you asked…we do this to make your life easier. Because once you fill up your supply bag using our free printable master list, you will be ready to create with your kids without all the mess and fuss.
Seriously, if you can find a 15 minute window in your day, you are ready to make some memories and do something that is a million times better than more screen time. Believe me, you will never regret spending time making crafts with your kids. And now, using our approach of filling your bag once so that you are ready to go, you now have the time…no matter how hectic life can get! Yay!!!
Project 1: Astronaut Craft for Kids
*Maybe you want to make a little buddy for your astronaut (though the scale may be just little off)…try this BB8 craft with moving parts.
SUPPLIES FROM THE BAG
- White construction paper
- 3 Large popsicle sticks
- Elmer’s Glue
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- White paint
- Newspaper
- Pencil
- Clothespin
- Medium pompom
- Black construction paper
- Black Sharpie marker
- Markers
- Optional: Silver paint
- Optional: Q-tip
Step 1: Make the Triangle
- Use the Elmer’s glue to attach 3 large popsicle sticks, forming a triangle frame
- Set the triangle to the side and allow the glue to dry thoroughly
*This is a step that you may want to do the day before and let them sit overnight so that the glue dries completely. While you are at it, make lots of triangle frames so that you are ready to make as many Outer Space crafts as you want! (And, believe me, you are going to want to make them all!)
Step 2: Paint
- Place the triangle frame on the newspaper and squeeze out a little white paint
- Pinch the pompom with the clothespin to form a “paint brush”
- Paint the triangle frame white and set it aside to allow the paint to dry
Step 3: Build the Foundation
- Trace the outside of the triangle onto black paper and then draw a slightly smaller triangle about 1/4″ inside the one you have drawn…
- OR print the template (below) and trace the triangle from the template onto your black construction paper
- Glue the paper triangle onto the back of the frame
Step 4: Add the Details
- Draw the body of your astronaut and a couple of knobs for the side of his helmet…
- OR print the DIY space crafts template and cut out all of the parts
- Use your glue stick to adhere the body onto the triangle. And then put the knobs on the side of his helmet.
- Last, draw on some details with your markers. You can imitate the picture here, but I would love to see you make this astronaut all your own! Decorate him using your imagination.
- Optional: Use the q-tips and some silver (or white) paint to add some reflections onto the face of your astronaut’s helmet shield.
*You can also make this astronaut using orange (or any other color your choose) instead of white.
Project 2: Alien Craft for Kids
*Scroll to the end of this set of instructions to see the full video of tutorial for this space alien craft. My young friend, John, joined me in the studio to help demonstrate.
SUPPLIES FROM THE BAG
- 3 Large popsicle sticks
- Elmer’s glue
- Newspaper
- Clothespin
- Medium pompom
- Green paint
- Green construction paper
- Scraps of black construction paper
- Glue stick
- Black Sharpie Marker
- Scissors
- Green pipe cleaner
- Scotch tape
- Alien craft template
Step 1: Make the Triangle
- Use the Elmer’s glue to attach 3 large popsicle sticks, forming a triangle frame
- Set the triangle to the side and allow the glue to dry thoroughly
*This is a step that you may want to do the day before and let them sit overnight so that the glue dries completely. While you are at it, make lots of triangle frames so that you are ready to make as many Outer Space crafts as you want! (And, believe me, you are going to want to make them all!)
Step 2: Paint
- Place the triangle frame on the newspaper and squeeze out a little green paint
- Pinch the pompom with the clothespin to form a “paint brush”
- Paint the triangle frame green and set it aside to allow the paint to dry
*If you do not have green paper that matches the green paint that you want to use for your alien, paint some paper too to match the frame. Just be sure to put a thin coat on the paper so that it does not get too wavy as it dries.
*And if you don’t want to get out the paint, use crayons or markers to color the frame instead.
Step 3: Build the Foundation
- Trace the outside of the triangle onto green paper and then draw a slightly smaller triangle about 1/4″ inside the one you have drawn…
- OR print the free template and trace the triangle from the template onto your green construction paper
- Glue the paper triangle onto the back of the frame
Step 4: Add the Details
- Draw the body of an alien and cut it out…
- OR print the free DIY space crafts template and trace the pieces onto your green paper (except the eyes which should be traced onto black paper) and cut them out.
- Glue the body onto the triangle, with the point of the triangle facing down.
- Cut the black eyes out and use the glue stick to adhere them to the alien’s face.
- Then snip the pipe cleaner in half and tape the pieces onto the back of the head to form antennae. Twist it into shape.
- The rest of the details are up to you. I cut a utility belt from some scraps of paper and added dots to the eyes using white paint and a q-tip. But you can make the alien look any way that you want! You can even give it extra arms and legs if you want.
*Just like the astronaut, you can change up the color of the alien. Maybe you want to make yours purple…or rainbow? It is yours. So, make it look like you want! I can’t wait to see what you make!
Watch the full video tutorial for this alien craft.
Save this DIY Space Crafts for later! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest board…
Project 3: Space Shuttle
*This craft pairs perfectly with our DIY Solar System Craft Mobile. Just think of all of the adventures that your child will be able to imagine while flying this spaceship through the solar system.
SUPPLIES FROM THE BAG
- 3 Large popsicle sticks
- White paint
- Elmer’s glue
- Newspaper
- Clothespin
- Medium pompom
- Glue stick
- Black Sharpie Marker
- Markers
- White construction paper
- Black construction paper
- Scissors
- Scraps of orange and red construction paper
Step 1: Make the Triangle
- Use the Elmer’s glue to attach 3 large popsicle sticks, forming a triangle frame
- Set the triangle to the side and allow the glue to dry thoroughly
*This is a step that you may want to do the day before and let them sit overnight so that the glue dries completely. While you are at it, make lots of triangle frames so that you are ready to make as many Outer Space crafts as you want! (And, believe me, you are going to want to make them all!)
Step 2: Paint
- Place the triangle frame on the newspaper and squeeze out a little white paint
- Pinch the pompom with the clothespin to form a “paint brush”
- Paint the triangle frame white and set it aside to allow the paint to dry
Step 3: Build the Foundation
- Trace the outside of the triangle onto white paper and then draw a slightly smaller triangle about 1/4″ inside the one you have drawn…
- OR print the DIY space crafts template (below) and trace the triangle from the template onto your white construction paper
- Glue the paper triangle onto the back of the frame
- Cut out the rectangle from the template and fold on the dotted lines.
- Use the glue stick on the folded tabs and glue it down, forming a dome in the center of the triangle. This is the body of the space shuttle.
Step 4: Add the Details
- Use the template to trace and cut out the rest of the details, such as the boosters, fin and tip of the shuttle.
- You can also draw and cut out little details for the wings, like the American flag and NASA symbol. But, remember, this is your shuttle. So, make if your own. If you prefer to draw “Hello Kitty” or a simple star on the wings…go for it!
Project 4: Space Rover
SUPPLIES FROM THE BAG
- 4 Large popsicle sticks
- Elmer’s glue
- White paint
- Newspaper
- Clothespin
- Medium pompom
- White construction paper
- Gray, orange and black construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- Black Sharpie marker
- Orange pipe cleaner
- Scotch tape
- Paper plate (coated 9″)
- Optional: Silver paint
Step 1: Make the Triangle
- Use the Elmer’s glue to attach 3 large popsicle sticks, forming a triangle frame
- Set the triangle to the side and allow the glue to dry thoroughly
*This is a step that you may want to do the day before and let them sit overnight so that the glue dries completely. While you are at it, make lots of triangle frames so that you are ready to make as many Outer Space crafts as you want! (And, believe me, you are going to want to make them all!)
Step 2: Paint
- Place the triangle frame on the newspaper and squeeze out a little white paint
- Pinch the pompom with the clothespin to form a “paint brush”
- Paint the triangle frame white and set it aside to allow the paint to dry
- Also paint the fourth large popsicle stick white. This will be the pole on the front of the rover for the robot type head.
- Optional: Paint some of the gray paper with silver paint to use on a couple of the details, such as the robot head eyes and the solar panel.
Step 3: Build the Foundation
- Trace the outside of the triangle onto white paper and then draw a slightly smaller triangle about 1/4″ inside the one you have drawn…
- OR print the template (below) and trace the triangle from the template onto your white construction paper
- Glue the paper triangle onto the back of the frame
Step 4: Add the Details
- Draw 3 tires onto the black paper…
- OR print the free template and trace the parts. Then cut them out.
- For the head of the space rover, you can use white paper or the paper plate so that it is more stable. Glue the top of the head to remaining white popsicle stick. Then tape the stick to the front of the rover.
- Use the glue stick to adhere all the remaining pieces in place, except the scoop on the back of the rover.
- Trace onto orange paper and cut out the claw scoop. Tape the scoop onto the orange pipe cleaner. Then tape the pipe cleaner to the back of the rover.
- Use your markers to add details to the space rover as you would like.
Project 5: Planet Crafts (and the Moon)
SUPPLIES FROM THE BAG (for each)
- 3 Large popsicle sticks
- Elmer’s glue
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- Matching paint and construction paper (eg-gray for the moon, blue for the Earth, etc.)
- Newspaper
- Clothespin
- Medium pompoms
- Q-tips
- Paints for adding detail (colors of your choice)
- Optional: Paper plate
- Optional: Scraps of other construction paper for adding details
Step 1: Make the Triangle
- Use the Elmer’s glue to attach 3 large popsicle sticks, forming a triangle frame
- Set the triangle to the side and allow the glue to dry thoroughly
*This is a step that you may want to do the day before and let them sit overnight so that the glue dries completely. While you are at it, make lots of triangle frames so that you are ready to make as many Outer Space crafts as you want! (And, believe me, you are going to want to make them all!)
Step 2: Paint
- Place the triangle frame on the newspaper and squeeze out a little paint (color of your choice)
- Pinch the pompom with the clothespin to form a “paint brush”
- Paint the triangle frame and set it aside to allow the paint to dry
Step 3: Build the Foundation
- Trace the outside of the triangle onto black paper and then draw a slightly smaller triangle about 1/4″ inside the one you have drawn…
- OR print the template (below) and trace the triangle from the template onto your black construction paper
- Glue the paper triangle onto the back of the frame
Step 4: Add the Details
- You can use various paint techniques to give your planets life. For example, add stripes of different colors using the q-tips or tap paint on with an extra pompom.
- Feel free to add whatever details you think will help make the planet identifiable. For example, for earth, cut out some land masses from scraps of green construction paper. Or, for Saturn, cut a ring out of a paper plate, paint it and place it over the plant. Jupiter gets a big red spot, and Mars is the red planet. Or you can create your own planet. There are not rules.
As I was creating this collection of space crafts, I was thinking that they would also make a great addition to a space themed party. You could make them as an activity or just use them as decorations. Stretch that imagination by having children use these as props in telling crazy stories as one of the space themed activities. This doesn’t just have to be for a party game, play it any time.
More Space Craft Ideas for Kids
You’re not going to want to stop at just these space crafts. So, here are even more ideas for you to make.
- Solar System Mobile
- Paper Plate Death Star Craft
- R2D2 Craft
- Printable Solar System
- BB8 Craft
- Rocket Ship around the Moon Craft
- Moon card
- Salt Constellations
- Flying Spaceship UFO
- Rocket Name Craft
Save this DIY Space Crafts for later! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest board…
