Curiosity in Space

(picture source http://hubblesite.org/)

This week saw something historic happen - The NASA Mars Rover aptly named Curiosity, landed on Mars and sent back the first pictures of the surface. I love that we continue to explore the depths of our universe and we will continue to grow in knowledge of it. Our kids will know so much more about what is out there than we will. So lets spark their curiosity for space while they are still young. 

To help ignite that interest I have rounded up some space based posts from fellow bloggers. There is truly something for everyone with a wide range of activities and resources for all age groups.

Arts and craft

We have craft activities for toddlers and preschool with:

1. Boy Mama, Teacher Mama - Number Play and Rocket Painting
2. Red Ted Art - Hand print Aliens
3. Taming the Goblin - Hubble telescope inspired art

And activities for slightly older kids:

4. Red Ted Art - Space invader Hama Beads 
5. Make and Takes - Rocket notebook
6. The Pleasantest Thing - Asterios belt art 

We even have some mummy crafts:

7. One Perfect Day - Space cakes and party ideas (not that type of space cakes!)
8. Taming the Goblin - Rainbow Window Star

Modelling

I love solar system models and we have two to choose from:

9. At Home with Ali - Small paper mache solar system
10. Red Ted Art - Big paper mache solar system

And if rockets and spaceships are more your thing we have plenty of them too:

11.  Momma's Fun World - Loo Roll Rocket
12. Nurture Store -  Junk Rockets
13. FunFamilyCrafts (at Ganz world) - Flying saucer
14. JDaniel4's Mom - Cup rocket

Sensory play

For children who like hands-on touchy feely play, we have it all here:

15. Taming the Goblin - Space sensory tray
16. Nurture store - Water bead Space play
17. Growing a Jeweled Rose - Blacklight sensory Outer Space Bath
18. The Imagination Tree - Galaxy playdough 

Books and resources

We have story books with a space theme and star charts to help identify the night sky:

19. The Imagination Tree - Space themed books
20. KcEdventures - Star Gazing Resources
21. The Wise Owl Factory - Space themed book based Worksheets

And one that would be absolutely brilliant for this weeks Mars news:
22. Royal Baloo - Writing a story based on the news

Science 

There are some great experiments to try out at:

23. Science Sparks - Bottle Rocket
24. The Pleasantest Thing - Transit of Venus Activity
25. Science Sparks - Expanding Universe
26. Creekside Learning - 5 Astronomy experiments
27. Science Sparks - Making Craters
28. Kids Activities blog - Balloon Rocket

Imaginary play 

Or if your child is like Goblin and enjoys imaginary play you will enjoy the post from:

29. Childhood Beckons - Small world playdough solar system
30. And Then All I Thought About was You - Imaginary Aliens in the Garden
31. Raising little Rhodies - Navigating a spaceship through an asteroid cloud
32. Sun Hats and Wellie Boots - Small world space station

If you aren't all spaced out by now here are some more Gallactic round ups with even more activities for you to check out

33. Red Ted Art - Space Crafts and Ideas to Inspire
34. Rainy Day Mum - 5-4-3-2-1 Blast off for World Space Week 2011
35. Living Montessori Now - Montessori Inspired Astronomy Activities

If like me you are more of a visual type you can shop for your activities by pictures at Rainy Day Mum's Space Pinterest board

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