Preschool Planets

Styrofoam Planets – Get various sizes of Styrofoam balls and have the children paint them to look like the planets.

Cardboard Box Space Ship – Find a cardboard box that is big enough for your child to play in. Cut the box so that it resembles the shape of a rocket, or even a flying saucer if you wish. Cut in a door, bonus points if you leave it so it’s a flap or is able to open and close. And cut in some windows. Have the children help you color it with markers or paint. You can put glow in the dark star stickers on it as well, and any other items you may wish to decorate it with. Glue some bottle caps inside so the children have a control center. Paint a picture of a control center above them for extra imagination prompting. You could even make some felt space aliens for the children to find while playing.

Night Sky Painting – Large sheets of paper – one for each kid. Paint the paper blue, black and gray. Try using various shades and experiment on making the Milky Way. Use sponges and gold paint to make the stars.

Constellations – Find pictures of the different constellations, and let the child pick which one he wants to draw. Or you can use the child’s zodiac constellation. Use black construction paper and a while crayon or white chalk and draw the constellation out. You could also use a pencil to punch the “star” holes into the paper after drawing them. Put a flashlight behind it and project the constellation onto the ceiling.

Day or Night – Ask the children questions about the things they do and have them answer weather they do it during the day or at night. (Ex. I go to bed – at night)

 Stencils – Make stars out of different materials – sponge, cardboard, cardstock, make them both a solid shape and one to color the inside of. Let the children use them to craw, color, and paint with.

Science museums – Visit the local science museum or discovery center. I plan on doing this with Thomas after the weather gets nicer.