Space Activities Early Years: 5 Fun EYFS Space Ideas for Nursery and Preschool
Space is one of the best themes for early years learning because it naturally sparks curiosity. Children love stars, rockets, planets and moon play, and you can use that excitement to build language, fine motor skills, maths, creative thinking and understanding of the world.
These space activities for early years are designed for nursery and preschool settings, and they work well for childminders too. Each one is simple to set up, low cost, and easy to adapt for different ages.
Space-themed play also supports EYFS learning, especially Understanding the World, expressive arts, communication and language, and maths through shape, pattern and positional language.
🚀 Space Explorer Game
A fun quiz to play with children! Read the questions aloud and let them pick an answer. Collect stars for correct answers!
Ready to explore space? Answer 5 questions and collect stars!
Rocket Launch Pad Role Play
Best for: Imaginative play, language, social skills, turn-taking
What you need
- Large cardboard box (rocket)
- Foil, stickers, paper plates (buttons)
- Masking tape for a “launch pad”
- Clipboards + pencils for “mission control”
- Soft toys as astronauts
How to set it up
- Turn a box into a rocket with a door and windows.
- Tape a launch pad shape onto the floor.
- Add a mission control area with clipboards and simple checklists.
- Give children roles: astronaut, countdown leader, engineer, mission control.
Adult prompts
- “Where is your rocket going today?”
- “What do you need before take-off?”
- “Can you count down from 10 together?”
- “What can you see in space?”
EYFS links
- Communication and Language
- PSED (sharing roles)
- Understanding the World (technology, exploration)
- Maths (countdown, sequencing)
Moon Sand Crater Exploration
Best for: Sensory play, fine motor skills, descriptive language
What you need
- Play sand or homemade moon sand
- Small trays/tuff tray
- Toy astronauts, pebbles, scoops
- Balls of different sizes (to make “craters”)
- Silver foil and black paper for backdrop
How to set it up
- Fill a tuff tray with sand.
- Drop balls gently to create crater marks.
- Add toy astronauts and small flags.
- Let children explore digging, making tracks, and building moon surfaces.
Adult prompts
- “Which crater is bigger?”
- “What happens when we drop the heavy ball?”
- “Can you make a bumpy moon path?”
- “How does the sand feel?”
EYFS links
- Understanding the World (materials and changes)
- Maths (size comparison)
- Physical Development (scooping, pouring)
- Vocabulary building
Tip: NASA’s child-friendly Moon content can help with simple adult talk prompts while children explore craters and moon surfaces.
Moon Phases Biscuit Activity (Early Years Version)
Best for: Simple science, sequencing, observation
What you need
- Chocolate sandwich biscuits (or paper circles if food-free)
- Plastic knives/spoons
- A moon phases mat (printable or hand-drawn)
- A torch and white ball (optional demo)
How to set it up
- Show children a few moon pictures (full moon, crescent, half moon).
- Let them scrape icing to make different moon shapes.
- Place each biscuit on a moon phases mat in order.
- Keep it simple for younger children: “full”, “half”, “crescent”.
Adult prompts
- “Which moon looks full?”
- “Can you find the tiny crescent?”
- “What comes next?”
EYFS links
- Understanding the World (patterns in nature)
- Maths (sequencing)
- Fine motor skills
- Language and vocabulary
Extension: Use paper circles for a no-food version and add a sorting challenge with full, half and crescent moon labels.
Constellation Lacing Cards
Best for: Fine motor skills, early mark making, pattern recognition
What you need
- Black card
- White chalk pen / stickers
- Hole punch
- Laces or pipe cleaners
- Star stickers
How to set it up
- Draw simple constellations as dot-to-dot stars (5–8 dots).
- Punch holes at each star.
- Children lace through the stars to “join the constellation”.
- Extend with chalk drawing: “Can you draw your own star pattern?”
Adult prompts
- “Can you follow the star path?”
- “Which star do we start with?”
- “What shape did you make?”
EYFS links
- Physical Development (fine motor)
- Maths (patterns, position)
- Expressive Arts and Design
- Pre-writing control
Language focus: Add positional words while children work: up, across, between, next to.
Planet Sorting & Size Hunt
Best for: Early maths, vocabulary, comparing objects
What you need
- Foam balls / pom-poms / printed planet circles
- Labels or picture cards
- Hoops or baskets
- Tape measure / cubes for non-standard measuring
- Blue cloth (space mat)
How to set it up
- Create “planet” objects in different sizes and colours.
- Ask children to sort by size, colour, or texture.
- Add a challenge: place planets in order from smallest to biggest (simplified).
- Extend: build a “solar system path” around the room.
Adult prompts
- “Which one is the biggest?”
- “Can you put these in order?”
- “Which planets feel the same?”
- “Can we make a line from small to large?”
EYFS links
- Maths (sorting, comparing, sequencing)
- Understanding the World (space theme)
- Communication and Language
Extension: Add a measuring station so children compare planets using cubes, hands or a tape measure.
FAQs About Space Activities in Early Years
Helpful answers for nursery managers, practitioners and childminders.