Outer Space Theme Lesson Plan for Preschool (2024)

Sun, moon, stars, rockets… it’s time for some out of this world exploration! Outer space is one of my favorite preschool themes. I love the curiosity and excitement that comes with learning about the world beyond planet Earth. This Outer Space Theme Lesson Plan for Preschool will captivate your little astronauts attention and engage them in some super fun outer space learning.

Recommended Grade Level:

preschool

kindergarten

Early Elementary

• Coordinating Activities

Reasons You Will Love These Space Theme Preschool Activities and Lesson Plans Printables:

Whether you are a preschool or kindergarten classroom teacher, a homeschooling parent, or just searching for some fun outer space theme preschool activities to do with your child, these lesson plans will be the perfect resource for you!

The best thing about this outer space preschool themed unit is that you are provided with fully detailed, comprehensive lesson plans that are already written for you.

Another added bonus is that they require minimal prep work and just a few simple materials you probably already have lying around your house. You are instantly set up for success!

Simply download the lesson plans and print the accompanying activities to get started. No need to print the entire lesson plan book unless you really want to. (Some teachers LOVE putting the lesson plans into a binder for easy offline access!)

How Do You Explain Space To A Child?
Explaining space to preschoolers doesn’t have to be difficult. You might start by describing space as the vast, dark sky that surrounds our planet Earth, where stars twinkle like tiny lights in the galaxy. You can introduce the idea of planets by describing them as big balls that float in space.

The Sun as a giant, glowing star that provides us with light and warmth. To show the idea of distance, you might use everyday objects like toys to demonstrate how far away planets are from each other and from the Sun.

What’s Included In These Learning Space Lesson Plans For Preschoolers:

These preschool space theme activities and lesson plan unit includes over 20 lesson plans for you to use in your home or classroom. The downloadable unit contains a detailed overview of how to use the lesson plan book, as well as a list of space themed books, examples of space themed songs for preschoolers, and suggested concepts for the theme of Outer Space.

Within each individual lesson plan you will find:

• A colorful picture of the activity to give you an idea of what it will look like.
• Book suggestions for a literacy connection to the activity.
• List of targeted skills
• Materials list
• A detailed “How To” section including instructions for preparing the themed activity, as well as how to use it with your children.
• A section of extra ideas, modifications, and ways to adapt the activity.

Hands On Activities:

From space themed crafts for preschoolers to fine motor skill activities, these lesson plans are full of hands on kids learning projects!

Children learn best when they are active in their learning activities. With each lesson plan there are plenty of examples of how you can get your child involved in the learning.

While they are busy with rocket ship craft and art projects, reading books about space, and exploring space travel with their telescopes, your kids will be having so much fun they will never even realize how much they are learning!

Space Centers For Art:
Space art centers for pre-k offer a creative way to explore the wonders of the universe through artistic expression. These centers can include a variety of activities such as painting, drawing, crafting, and sensory play, all centered around space themes. Make sure to grab your glue, aluminum foil, and star stickers for these masterpieces. Space art centers not only encourage creativity but also foster an appreciation for science and exploration in young minds, igniting their curiosity about the universe beyond our planet.

Fine Motor And Sensory Activities:

Space-themed fine motor activities for the preschool classroom offer engaging ways to develop hand-eye coordination, finger strength, and dexterity while exploring the wonders of the cosmos. These activities enhance fine motor skills while encouraging imaginative play and exploration of space concepts. By incorporating elements of play and learning, space fine motor activities provide a fun and interactive way for preschoolers to develop important skills while fueling their curiosity about the universe.

Gross Motor Activities:

Space-themed gross motor activities offer dynamic opportunities to engage in physical movement while learning about their planet. Children can jump over “moon rocks,” and balance on “zero-gravity” beams. Additionally, a “rocket launch” game could involve children squatting down low before “blasting off” into the air, promoting strength and balance.

Multidisciplinary Activities:

These lesson plans contain science explorations that kids will love, fun kids crafts, math activities, and so much more!

A book suggestion for each lesson makes tying activities in with literacy super simple. There are endless opportunities to practice vocabulary words and work on developing literacy skills. Lesson will also easily pair with any books about the solar system for preschoolers or outer space board books that you already have in your home or classrooms.

Activities like space shuttle crafts, moon rock math, and constellation geoboards combine developing fine motor skills with math content practice for double the fun and learning!

Space Centers For Math, Science, And STEM Activities:
In math, children can practice counting and sorting using space-themed manipulatives such as rocket-shaped counters or star stickers. STEM activities might involve building simple rockets using household materials or constructing solar system models to understand orbiting planets.

Through these hands-on experiences, children not only develop essential math and science skills but also cultivate a fascination for space exploration and discovery from an early age.

Activities For All Learning Styles:

As parents and educators we know that when it comes to teaching kids, there is no cookie cutter approach that will work with all children.

With over 20 lesson plans full of fun crafts and a variety of different learning activities you will be able to choose the plans that will work the best for your child.

Whether you have an auditory, visual, or kinesthetic learner, these lessons will bring learning to life for them.

Flexible Space Activities:

All of the activities can be easily adapted or modified to meet whatever your needs are. Whether you are searching for an activity for space theme preschool circle time, a learning center, small group instruction, or independent practice, these lesson plans and outer space theme ideas for preschoolers are full of options!

What Are Some Space Facts For Preschoolers?

Preschoolers are naturally curious about space, and introducing them to basic facts can spark their interest and imagination. Some preschool-friendly space facts include:

1. The Sun: Preschoolers can learn that the Sun is a giant star that provides light and warmth to our planet Earth.
2. The Moon: Explaining that the Moon is Earth’s natural satellite and describing its phases, such as crescent, half, and full moon, can captivate preschoolers’ attention.
3. Stars: Teaching preschoolers that stars are like distant suns in the sky and come in different sizes and colors can foster their curiosity about the night sky.
4. Planets: Introducing preschoolers to the concept of planets and naming a few, like Earth, Mars, and Jupiter, can begin to expand their understanding of our solar system.
5. Astronauts: Sharing that astronauts are people who travel to space in spacecraft and explore other planets and stars can inspire preschoolers to dream big about space exploration.
6. Spacecraft: Describing spacecraft as special vehicles that travel to space can intrigue preschoolers, who may enjoy learning about rockets and satellites.

Planning for a Space Theme? We’ve done all the work for you!

We now have interactive thematic lesson plans fortoddlers (18-35 months)ANDpreschoolers (3-5 years)! Get ready for fun and learning with unit lesson plans for your SPACE THEME. Explore a variety of themed hands-on activities! Easy to follow lesson plans include activity modifications and adaptations to meet the needs of all learners. For more information, click on the graphics below:

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Kim StatenOwner and Curriculum Designer

Kim Staten is a mother of four children ages 20, 19, 16, and 12. Kim has taught at the preschool, kindergarten and early elementary levels for 16 years. With extensive experience working with special needs children, including her own children with special needs (Rett Syndrome, autism, anxiety, and ADHD), she creates hands-on curricula and activities that are great for working with children of all abilities in the classroom and at home. Hands-on, accessible activities are her passion.

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Preschool TeacherPreschool OwnerDaycare OwnerHomeschoolParentingToddlersPreschoolersSpecial Needs EducationSpecial Needs ParentingRett Syndrome