Back to Manipulative Lists
Astronomy
Back to Manipulative Lists

Astronomy Manipulatives

Below are tools and manipulatives having to do with the subject of Astronomy. Some manipulatives may be purchased, while others can simply be made at home.

Astronomy
Illustration of planets

Purchasable Options

Title
Description
Link
Astronauts – The Ultimate Space Game
Award Winning Educational Card Game for Kids, Teens, and Adults
Purchase on Amazon
Atoylink Wooden Solar System Puzzle
Puzzle including all the planets for kids ages 4-6.
Purchase on Amazon
BLUE GINKGO Solar System Model Board
Wooden Montessori toy with removable planets for kids ages 3-8.
Purchase on Amazon
Constellation Telescope Simulator
A telescope kit to learn 27 constellations for kids ages 8-12
Purchase on Amazon
Daron NASA Space Adventure Series
Space Shuttle with lights and sounds for young learners.
Purchase on Amazon
Earth Moon and Sun Orrery Toy Building Set
Earth Rotation Around Sun Building Bricks-Rotatable Solar System Model for Ages 6+
Purchase on Amazon
ERWEI 3D Solar System Model Crystal Ball
Crystal Ball with Laser Engraved Planets and LED Light Base for kids of all ages.
Purchase on Amazon
4M Kidz Labs Moon Torch
Flashlight that projects realistic images of the moon onto any flat surface. Ages 4+
Purchase on Amazon
4M Solar System Planetarium
Glow In The Dark Astronomy Planet Model for kids ages 8+
Purchase on Amazon
Gears! Gears! Gears! Space Explorers Building Set
77-piece set including interlocking bases, gears, connectors, a handle, astronauts, planets, a sun, a spaceship, a flag, stickers, and an activity guide for ages 4+
Purchase on Amazon
Glow in The Dark Solar System Jigsaw Puzzle
Large Round Educational Puzzle--70 pieces--ages 8-10
No link avaliable
GP Toys 3-in-1 Build and Paint Solar System for Kids
Glow-in-the-dark build kit with movable 3D planets in orbit--ages 4-12
Purchase on Amazon
Learning Resources Giant Inflatable Solar System
All 8 planets: Demonstrate rotation, revolution, and orbit in 3 dimensions with a durable, washable kids solar system kit--ages 4+
Purchase on Amazon
Learning Resources Giant Magnetic Solar System
13-piece set for whiteboard display--ages 4-8
Purchase on Amazon
Learning Resources Shining Stars Projector
Explore early space science by beaming images of space onto any surface for a close-up view of stars, planets, and more--ages 3+
Purchase on Amazon
LEGO City Space Mars Research Shuttle
Lego building set for ages 5+
Purchase on Amazon
Magnetic Solar System for Kids
Fridge magnets of real planetary photos--ages 4-6
Purchase on Amazon
Petit Collage Magnetic Play Scene, Outer Space
Magnetic Game Board with Mix and Match Magnetic Pieces--ages 3+
Purchase on Amazon
Playz Premium Solar System Model Kit
4 Speed Motor, HD Planetarium Projector, and 8 Painted Planets with Instruction manual and Lab Guide--ages 6-10
Purchase on Amazon
Qurious Space | STEM Flash Card Game
Interactive, educational card game of space, science, and NASA facts--ages 4+
Purchase on Amazon
Solar System for Kids
Space Montessori Toy with 61 felt figures for kids aged 3-8
Purchase on Amazon
Solar System Planet Stress Balls
Anti Stress Solar Educational Balls for kids of all ages
Purchase on Amazon
Space Adventures Pack STEM Kit
13 Educational Activities for kids aged 6-10
Purchase on Amazon
Space Science 6-in-1 Craft Kit
Includes 6 activities--Science, Art and Craft, and a board game--ages 6-10
Purchase on Amazon
Space Themed Toys Sensory Bin Filler
Solar system STEM toy for toddlers or autistic children
Purchase on Amazon
Stomp Rocket Stunt Plane Launcher
Toy plane rocket launcher for kids ages 5-12
Purchase on Amazon
WATINC 25Pcs Outer Space Travel Felt-Board Story Set
Portable Felt Board Solar System Universe Storytelling for Toddlers/Preschool (ages 3-6)
Purchase on Amazon

DIY Options

Pipe Cleaner Constellations
Use homemade flashcards to create constellations out of pipe cleaners (ages 6-8)
Link
Build Your Own Telescope
Build a monocular or spyglass to use for seeing far-off objects (ages 6-8)
Link
Shooting Star Spinner Toy
Homemade space STEM toy that spins with kinetic energy (ages 4-6)
Link
Solar System Model in a Jar
Create your own solar system in a jar with clay and common household objects (ages 4-6)
Free Printable Constellation Cards
Create printable cards of common constellations for kids (ages 7-9)
Gravity Spinner Toy
Easy project to teach the concept of gravity to kids (ages 4-6)
Link
Moon Phases Slider
Build a slider tool to study the different moon phases (ages 7-9)
Link
Galileo Star Viewer
Homemade star viewer representing the ideas of Galileo (ages 7-9)
Link
Pumpkin Solar System
Make a solar system model using pumpkins to represent the planets (ages 4-6)
Link
Build a Model Space Station out of Legos
Using pictures/diagrams of the International Space Station (or creating a model of your own), build a Lego space station with as much detail as possible. (ages 7-14)
Make Your Own Astrolabe
Build/assemble your own astrolabe, then use it at night to track the stars.
Link
How to Get Children Started with Stargazing
Article/Tips on how to introduce your child to stargazing
Link
DIY ideas for Astronomy Activities for Kids
Large DIY library of Astronomy Activities for kids (ages 5-10)
Link
How to Make a Simple DIY Sundial
Youtube video for kids on how to make a simple DIY sundial (ages 4-6)
Link
Model of a Black Hole
Build a model that visualizes gravity with marbles (ages 6-10)
Link
Model the Distances Between Planets in the Solar System
Build a model to explore the distances between planets (ages 5-8)
Link
Creating Craters
DIY Moon Craters for Kids (age 3-8)
Link
How Big Are the Planets in Our Solar System?
Create a model of the planets in our solar system to compare sizes
Link
Galactic Art
Create colorful pictures of objects in space (age 3-8)
Link
Spinning Space Orrery
Create a heliocentric model of the solar system (ages 9-14)
Link
NASA Space Place
Helpful website from NASA for kids regarding all things Astronomy
Link
Make a DIY Telescope
Using household objects to make your own telescope (ages 3-8)
Link
Toilet Roll Rocket Craft
Make a rocket craft out of a toilet roll (ages 3-5)
Link
Straw Rockets
Make a rocket out of a few materials to launch with straws for a unit on physics, space, or the night sky (ages 4-6)
Link
DIY Galaxy Jars
Make 'Galaxy jars' with household objects including jars, paint, glitter, and cotton balls (ages 4-6)
Link
Space Ship Porthole
Make a space ship porthole with common materials (ages 3-5)
Link
Constellation Jar
Create a constellation jar to serve as a night light or astronomical craft (ages 4-6)
Link
Cardboard Space Shuttle Craft
Create a space shuttle toy with household materials (ages 3-5)
Link
Puffy Paint Moon
Make a model of the moon using glue and shaving cream (ages 3-5)
Link
Galaxy Dough Recipe
A play-dough activity using glitter to mimic stars in the galaxy (ages 3-5)
Link
DIY Astronaut Glove Box
Create a glove/study box model like those used by NASA Astronauts for scientific research (ages 4-8)
Link
Paper Plate Star Twirler
Create a star-themed project mobile (ages 3-5)
Link
Paper Mache Planets
A labor-intensive DIY project for creating paper-mache planets (ages 6-8)
Link
American Museum of Natural History Astronomy Page
Source page of crafts and basic astronomy information at the Museum of Natural History (all ages)
Link
The Life Cycle of a Star Poster
Create a poster depicting the life cycle of a star with easy-to-acquire materials (ages 7-9)
Link
Wall-Sized Reproduction of the Solar System
Get a feel for the size and scope of our solar system by doing a scaled wall-sized reproduction (all ages)
Link
Tips for Stargazing
5 tips to help the beginning stargazer know what to look for in the night sky (all ages)
Link
Homeschool Science: Day and Night
What causes day and night? An explanation for kids (ages 4-6)
Link
Free Moon Observation Journal for Kids
Use a free printable to help kids record phases of the moon (ages 7-9)
Link
NASA: Make a Moon Journal
Youtube video from NASA scientist detailing how to make a moon journal (ages 7-9)
Link
Moon Journal for Kids
PBS Kids: Print a moon journal for young children ages 4-6
Link
NASA Moon Journaling Project
In-depth How-to instructions for beginning a Moon Journaling project (ages 7-9)
Link
Constellation Geoboard
Combine astronomy with geometry to create a constellation geoboard
Link
Oreo Cookie Moon Phases
Illustrate the phases of the moon in a concrete fashion using Oreo Cookies (ages 4-6)
Link
Constellations Geoboard Activity
Another DIY geoboard activity to illustrate the shapes of constellations
Link
Space Dramatic Play Area
Create a dramatic play area with a space theme for children age 3-5
Link
Solar System Game for Kids
Create a space flashcard game for kids age 4-6
Link
HOW IT WORKS: The International Space Station
An online tour of the International Space Station (all ages)
Link
Marshmallow Constellations
Create constellations out of toothpicks and marshmallows (ages 4-6)
Link
Make a Bottle Rocket at Home
How to make a bottle rocket with inexpensive materials (ages 5-8)
Link
Design a Planetary Moon Rover
Create a moon rover out of legos for kids aged 7-9
Link
Magnetic LED Constellations
Create constellations with LED lights and magnets (for kids aged 4-6)
Link
NASA Kids' Club
Helpful kids' website with a variety of astronomical activities and information (all ages)
Link
How Planets Orbit the Sun
Montessori-inspired activity to demonstrate how planets orbit the sun (ages 4-6)
Link
Outer Space Sensory Bin
Create a sensory bin of a moonscape using craft items and toy space equipment (ages 4-6)
Link