Space art activities offer kids an exciting way to explore the mysteries of the universe while igniting their creativity. From creating galaxies to designing rocket ships, these activities allow children to blend learning and fun. If you’re in Dubai, Picasso Artists is an ideal space to host some of these engaging activities through its art classes and workshops. Here are 13 of the best space-themed art activities perfect for young explorers.
1. Galaxy in a Jar
This activity helps kids create their very own mini-galaxy. Start by filling a glass jar with layers of cotton balls, glitter, and water mixed with food coloring. Add acrylic paint and swirl it to resemble a galaxy. Sprinkle some star-shaped confetti for an extra celestial touch. Kids love the mesmerizing effect; it provides a great opportunity to talk about how galaxies are formed.
Materials: Glass jars, cotton balls, acrylic paint, glitter, water, food coloring, and star-shaped confetti.
2. Solar System Mobile
Children can make a 3D solar system model by painting Styrofoam balls to represent the planets and then hanging them at various lengths from a hanger or mobile frame. As they paint, they can learn about the different planets, their sizes, and their positions relative to the sun.
Materials: Styrofoam balls, acrylic paints, string, and a hanger.
3. Rocket Ship Collage
Kids can cut and assemble a rocket ship using basic geometric shapes from different colored construction paper. They can add details with markers and use aluminum foil for shiny parts of the boat, such as the windows or nose cone. This hands-on activity encourages fine motor skills while teaching kids about space exploration.
Materials: Construction paper, glue, scissors, markers, and aluminum foil.
4. Starry Night Sky Painting
A starry night sky is a simple yet effective space art project. Children can dip a toothbrush in white paint and use it to flick stars onto black construction paper. Add some glow-in-the-dark paint to create stars that shine at night to make it even more exciting. Discuss constellations and the vastness of space as they create their night sky.
Materials: Black paper, white paint, toothbrush, glow-in-the-dark paint.
5. Alien Clay Sculptures
Kids can let their imaginations run wild by creating their very own alien creatures from clay. Encourage them to think about different alien features—antennae, multiple eyes, and crazy colors. Once the clay dries, they can paint their sculptures and add googly eyes for a fun finishing touch.
Materials: Air-dry clay, googly eyes, and paint.
6. Planet Marbling Art
This unique art project allows kids to create swirling, marbleized planets. Spread shaving cream on a tray, drip different liquid watercolors onto it, and swirl the colors with a toothpick. Press a piece of cardstock onto the shaving cream and lift it to reveal the marbled pattern, resembling colorful planets.
Materials: Shaving cream, liquid watercolors, and cardstock.
7. Constellation Geoboards
Children can use corkboards and pushpins to recreate different constellations. Print out constellation templates or let kids invent their own. They’ll place pushpins where stars are positioned and then use string to connect them, forming beautiful star patterns. It’s a fun way to combine science with hands-on crafting.
Materials: Corkboard, pushpins, and string.
8. Sponge-Painted Nebulas
Kids can use sponges to dab and blend colorful acrylic paints on black paper to create beautiful nebulas. As they layer the colors, encourage them to think about how these massive clouds of gas and dust form stars. Add glitter for a sparkly, otherworldly effect.
Materials: Sponges, black paper, acrylic paints, and glitter.
9. DIY Space Helmets
For an out-of-this-world experience, kids can create their space helmets using cardboard boxes. Cut out a hole for the face, cover the box with silver paint, and use plastic wrap as a visor. Kids can customize their helmets with markers, adding their names or cool space designs. Afterward, they can wear the helmets for imaginative play as astronauts.
Materials: Cardboard, silver paint, plastic wrap, markers, and glue.
10. Stained Glass Solar System
This activity involves creating a stained glass effect with tissue paper to replicate the solar system. Cut circular shapes from black construction paper for each planet, then fill them with pieces of colorful tissue paper glued on. Hang the finished planets on a window to let sunlight filter through the paper, resembling stained glass.
Materials: Tissue paper, black construction paper, and glue.
11. Outer Space Chalk Pastels
Kids can use chalk pastels to blend and smudge colors on black paper to create vibrant scenes of outer space, including planets, stars, and galaxies. Using cotton balls to blend the chalk gives the artwork a soft, ethereal quality. It’s a fun way to introduce kids to blending techniques while they create beautiful cosmic art.
Materials: Chalk pastels, black construction paper, and cotton balls.
12. Paper Plate UFOs
Kids can create their UFOs using paper plates and plastic cups. Paint the plates silver or grey to mimic a spaceship, glue a plastic cup upside down in the middle, and decorate the UFO with markers. They can draw aliens looking out the windows or even glue on little alien figures.
Materials: Paper plates, paint, glue, markers, and plastic cups.
13. Space-Themed Shadow Box
For this project, kids can turn a shoebox into a mini diorama of space. Paint the inside to resemble the night sky, add glow-in-the-dark stars and planets, and use space-themed figurines like astronauts or rockets. This shadow box doubles as a piece of art and a fun interactive display for kids to play with.
Materials: Shoebox, paint, figurines, and glow-in-the-dark stickers.
Explore Space Art Activities at Picasso Artists
For families in Dubai looking to engage their kids with creative space-themed art activities, Picasso Artists is the go-to destination. Offering a variety of classes and workshops, Picasso Artists allows children to explore the mysteries of the cosmos while developing their artistic skills in a fun, educational setting. With hands-on activities ranging from painting to sculpture, kids can immerse themselves in space while crafting their very own cosmic creations.
