Space Station Day at Home: A Fun & Easy Space-Themed Adventure for Kids
Looking for space activities for kids that are fun, simple and screen-free?
My daughter has recently rediscovered her love for all things space. It used to be that she wanted to be the youngest dancing astronaut in space, but now that she is a little older she has taken an interest in star constellations and galaxies. This in turn has inspired the idea of a Space Station Day for an alternative holiday at home activity. If, like me, you also have a young (or slightly older) space enthusiast in your house, this post is for you!
This Space Station Day at Home is an exciting way to turn your house into a mini mission control — perfect for summer holidays, rainy days, or anytime you need a high-energy boredom buster.
You don’t need expensive kits or complicated prep.
Just a few household items, a bit of imagination, and a clear mission for the day.
Why a Space-Themed Day Works So Well
Space naturally captures children’s attention.
It’s:
- Imaginative
- Active
- Perfect for indoor play
- Great for STEM learning
- Easy to adapt for different ages
And because everything feels “unknown,” children are much more willing to play along.
🚀 Space Station Day at a Glance
Best for: Rainy days, summer holidays, high-energy days
Ages: 4–12 (adaptable)
Budget: Very low (use what you have at home)
Prep time: 20–30 minutes
Indoor-friendly: Yes
🌌 Morning: Astronaut Training Academy
Start the day with a mission briefing:
“Welcome astronauts. Today you will train for your journey to space.”
Instant buy-in.
1. Create a “Laser Grid” Challenge
Use:
- String
- Yarn
- Crepe paper
Tape it across a hallway or doorway to create a “laser maze”.
The goal:
- Crawl through without touching the lasers
Add:
- Timer challenges
- “Penalty alarms” if touched
This simple setup can keep kids entertained for ages. We have a ‘Security Camera’ from a board game that we set up to detect motion. It definitely added an extra fun element to the challenge.
2. Astronaut Training Tasks
Set up a few short challenges:
- Balance test (walk along a line of tape)
- Strength test (carry books across the room)
- Coordination test (throw and catch a soft ball)
- Zero-gravity jumps (jumping on the spot or trampoline)
You can award:
“Official Astronaut Status” at the end. I have created a template for an official Astronaut Training Certificate you could print and use for this.
🛸 Lunch: Space Food Station
Keep it simple but fun.
Easy Space-Themed Food Ideas
- Sandwiches cut into star shapes
- Crackers and cheese cubes to represent planets
- Grapes or blueberries (“space orbs”)
- Wraps sliced into “galactic rolls”
Serve food in:
- Muffin tins
- Foil trays
- Small containers
Call it:
“Mission Fuel.”
Presentation matters more than complexity.
đź›° Afternoon: Mission Control & Rocket Building
This is your creative core of the day.
1. Build a Cardboard Rocket
Use:
- A large cardboard box
- Tin foil
- Bottle caps
- Markers or stickers
Let children:
- Design control panels
- Add “buttons” and dials
- Name their rocket
Even a basic box becomes exciting when given a purpose.
2. Mission Control Play
Turn different rooms into “planets”:
- Living room = Earth
- Kitchen = Mars
- Bedroom = Moon
Children can:
- “Fly” between locations
- Complete mini missions
- Carry supplies
Encourage storytelling:
“We’ve landed on Mars — what do we see?”
If you have a remote control car at home, older kids may enjoy a Mars Rover mission where they have to navigate the ‘Rover’ through a number of obstacles.
This keeps them engaged for much longer than a single activity.
🌙 Evening: Moon Mission & Space Cinema
Bring the energy down gradually.
1. Moon Rock Hunt
Turn off the lights and give each child a torch.
Hide:
- Foil-wrapped treats
- Small toys
Around the room.
The goal:
Collect as many “moon rocks” as possible.
This works especially well just before bedtime when excitement is still high.
2. Space-Themed Movie Night
End the day with something cosy.
You might choose:
- Toy Story (Buzz Lightyear fun)
- Apollo 13 (for older kids)
Add blankets and dim lighting for a calm finish.
If You’re Tired (Low-Prep Version)
Keep it simple:
- One obstacle course
- One cardboard box rocket
- There are loads of great space themed resources available on YouTube. These range from Space Themed educational songs, such as the Planet Song from Hopscotch (Firm favourite in this house) to real life space mission info on the Nasa Channel
- Film + snacks
That’s enough. If your child enjoys calmer activities, why not try our FREE printable Space-Themed Activity Pack.
If It’s a High-Energy Day
Lean into it:
- Add more training challenges
- Create timed missions
- Introduce “emergency repairs”
- Extend rocket play
This theme scales really well.
For Mixed Ages
Younger children:
- Focus on movement and play
- Simple rocket decorating
- Short missions
Older children:
- Design a full mission plan
- Create control panels with labels
- Write a space log
- Research planets
This can easily stretch into a full afternoon.
Make It Feel Extra Special
Two quick additions:
🎟 Boarding Pass
I have created a simple “Mission Entry Pass: Space Station Alpha” that you can download and print or you can create your own.
Place it at breakfast for instant excitement.
đź‘• Dress the Part
Encourage:
- White or light-coloured clothes
- Helmets (bike helmets work!)
- Backpacks as oxygen tanks
Small details make a big difference.
If you don’t want the space adventure to end here, why not check out my full space adventure activity book?
Why This Works So Well During the Summer Holidays
This kind of themed day:
- Keeps children active indoors
- Encourages imaginative play
- Breaks up long days at home
- Requires minimal spending
- Feels completely different from everyday life
And that’s what makes it memorable.
Ready for Your Next At-Home Adventure?
If your children loved blasting off into space, you might also enjoy:
(All part of our Summer Holiday at Home series.)
