Best Space Gifts for Kids (2023): Toys, Books, Games & More

As a father of two, I love to share my passion for all things space and astronomy with my children. This also means I get to buy them cool space toys and play with them myself.

Below is our list of the best space gifts for kids of different ages and for different budgets. We have separated this into three sections:

1. For Babies
2. For Toddlers
3. For Children Aged 5+

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Space Gifts for Babies

Outer Space Sensory Teething Square

When babies are little these sensory toys with lots to explore and fiddle with are perfect. This is space-themed and includes parts to chew on for those teething little ones.

It’s a perfect gift for children who are in their teething phase or those who enjoy tactile stimulation. It features vibrant colors and an educational design. It’s a great way to introduce children to various textures and sounds.

It is made of durable materials, making it suitable for the rigors of teething and playtime, and is easy to clean, which is a plus for parents and caregivers.

Wooden Rocket Ring Stacker

This wooden stacking toy, designed in the shape of a rocket, is a great way to introduce children to the concept of space while also helping them develop their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. It’s a perfect gift for children who love to explore and learn through play.

When babies are little these sensory toys with lots to explore and fiddle with are perfect. This is space-themed and includes parts to chew on for those teething little ones.

Star Projector Nightlight

This is something that I love and is a great sensory experience for babies and kids. It projects a rotating starry sky scene onto the walls and ceiling of a bedroom or nursery.

It’s great fun to do with your kid in their room and you can feel their sense of awe at looking around at the display.

It can also be used as a regular nightlight without the starry lights. The lamp offers a soothing ambiance that can help children relax and fall asleep more easily.

It features multiple color options, allowing you to customize the projections to your child’s preferences, it can be powered by batteries for portability or plugged in for continuous use, and it is easy to use, with simple controls that children could operate when they get older.

Outer Space Playmat

This hardy and fun mat for your child to play on features the solar system’s planets.

The size is 3 feet 3 inches by 4 feet 7 inches and is perfect for a playroom or bedroom.

The durable design and easy-to-clean material make it a practical choice for any child’s room or play area.

Glow-in-the-Dark Stars

This is something that I’ve done in my kid’s room – put up stars on the ceiling.

It’s a cheap and easy way to add a nice touch and you can turn the lights off and look at the glowing stars together. It also creates a calming environment for bedtime.

These can transform a regular room into a magical starry night, sparking imagination and curiosity about the universe. It’s a perfect gift for children who are fascinated by space, stars, and the universe.

Here We Are by Oliver Jeffers (Book)

Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth by Oliver Jeffers is a fantastic book that works for children of many ages.

Initially, you can read it to your newborn (the author wrote it to his newborn in his first few months). Then, as they get older and are learning to read, they can understand more of its content.

It has beautiful illustrations and easy-to-understand text. It is engaging for children, with many small details in the illustrations that keep them interested.

The overall message is inspiring and thought-provoking. It’s a very positive message about celebrating the diversity of species and culture around the world and respecting the planet. It helps guide children through complex ideas about our planet and life.

For more like this, see also our guide to the Best Astronomy Books.

Space-Themed Nursery Mobile

This Space-Themed Nursery Mobile is a beautifully crafted, colorful decor piece for a child’s crib or room. This mobile is handmade and is made of child-safe materials like wood, felt wool, and cotton.

It’s a perfect gift for new parents, especially if they are looking to add a touch of whimsy and color to their nursery.

It’s not only a fun and colorful decoration but also a tool for sparking a child’s interest in space. Its high-quality, handmade design ensures that it will be a lasting addition to any child’s room.

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Space Toys for Toddlers

LEGO DUPLO Space Rocket

Build on your Duplo blocks for your toddler with this cool space rocket.

It is made of durable plastic and is safe for younger children. It comes with two astronauts, a moon buggy, and other pieces to build around the shuttle. The rocket opens up for passengers inside.

This is great for engaging children in independent play and encouraging them to creatively build and play with the set.

The space theme of the set will be popular with children interested in spaceships and astronauts. It is also fully compatible with other LEGO DUPLO sets.

Toy Rocket Ship

This is a great space toy for 3-year-olds and above. It’s a nice big rocket ship made of plastic that comes with five figures, including astronauts and aliens.

The toy engages children in imaginative play. The space theme, including aliens and astronauts, is particularly appealing.

It is compatible with other popular toy sets, like Little People and is durable and has great sound effects and many accessories.

Peppa Pig in Space Book

Peppa in Space is a great book for toddlers who like Peppa Pig and I’ve read it many times with mine.

As you’d expect, the illustrations are colorful and of high quality. The story is positive about learning about space and science for all genders whilst being light-hearted and fun.

As you would expect with Peppa Pig, it is funny and cute. It has nice vibrant illustrations and a fun story. It is also a good primer for a trip to a museum, as it features a museum visit in the story. The educational content introduces the basics of space and planets to children.

Rocket Ship Play Tent

This pop-up play tent is great for toddlers. It is:

• Easy to setup and with a fun design
• Big enough to accommodate adults with children, making playtime more interactive.
• Sturdy and durable, able to withstand active play.
• Great value for money, providing a fun and engaging play space at a reasonable price.

Wooden Rocket Construction Toy Set

This is a set of 18 wooden pieces that can be made into three rocket ships. It’s a great space toy for a younger kid (3+ years) as it is both an educational puzzle and a rocket toy.

The wooden construction is also slightly classier looking than some bright plastic toys and it boasts that it is sustainable as it is made from renewable rubber tree wood.

The interchangeable parts allow for creative play and the development of problem-solving skills.

Space Play Tent

A great outdoor or indoor space toy for toddlers and above. It’s a 3-piece playhouse decorated with images of astronauts, the planets and a rocket ship.

Recommended for 6 months and above, it’s just under ten feet long. It is easy to assemble and store, plus it is durable enough to withstand toddler play.

This play tent set, which includes tunnels offers a fun and interactive way for kids to engage in imaginative play. It’s a great gift for children who love to explore and enjoy active play.

Solar System Floor Puzzle

This is a giant jigsaw puzzle featuring the planets of the solar system from Melisa & Doug, who are known for making quality kids’ toys.

This 48-piece floor puzzle, featuring a vibrant and detailed illustration of the solar system, is a great way to introduce children to the wonders of space while also helping them develop their problem-solving skills and hand-eye coordination. It’s a perfect gift for children who love to explore and learn through play.

Aimed at children 3 to 6 years old. It’s 36 by 24 inches in size and made of durable materials, ensuring it can withstand repeated use.

Inflatable Solar System Toy

Another educational solar system toy that would make a great gift. This one has a kit of 8 different inflatable planets and can be used for games in the house, backyard or classroom.

The set includes inflatable models of the sun, the moon, and all the planets in our solar system, including Pluto. It’s a great way to spark a child’s interest in astronomy and the natural world, making learning fun and interactive.

The inflatable planets are durable and can withstand play, ensuring they last for a long time. The planets can be hung up, adding a fun and educational decoration to a child’s room. The set comes with a pump, making it easy to inflate the planets.

Space Sensory Bin

Great for toddlers to experiment with and explore different textures, this sensory bin is filled with space-themed figures for them to find and pick out. It allows them to explore and have fun, making it a great tool for independent play.

This product is a great choice for a gift because it offers a unique combination of fun, education, and sensory stimulation. It can help your child develop fine motor skills, encourage imaginative play, and provide a fun way to learn about space.

The product is durable and can withstand enthusiastic play. It’s easy to clean and store.

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Space Toys for Kids Aged 5+

LEGO Mars Research Shuttle

LEGO sells some of the best kids’ space toys that you can buy. We’ve picked out this Mars research shuttle as it’s cool and good value for money:

• The detailed design with 273 individual pieces is engaging for children and even adults.
• It has educational value, introducing children to space exploration in a fun and interactive way.
• It is sturdy and durable, able to withstand active play.

This set is suitable for children of 5 years and above (the small parts make it a choking hazard for children younger than that).

Celestron FirstScope Telescope

If you are after a child’s first telescope, then check out the Celestron FirstScope telescope.

It is a tabletop telescope, and so is relatively small and portable, as well as being easy to use. You’ll be able to see the moon clearly, as well as planets like Saturn with a bit of work.

It is not a toy though and so would be suitable for a teenager to use alone or a younger child with supervision (obviously, you know your kids best).

A nice thing to do is buy a cheap smartphone adapter so that you can take pictures of what you see through the telescope. This can be great for memories and you could even print the images of what you see and put them up on your child’s walls.

If you’d like some more information about how to select a telescope for a child and more options, see our article on the best telescopes for kids.

Space Explorers Board Game

This game is not only entertaining but also educational, providing children with a fun way to learn about the solar system. It’s an excellent choice for a space-themed gift that will keep children engaged and learning.

Suitable for children aged 6-9 and can be played with adults, making it a great option for family game nights.

For more ideas like this, check out the Best Space-Themed Board Games.

Space Posters Set

If you are looking for something inspirational to decorate your kid’s room with then this set of nine cool posters might fit the bill.

These colorful and vibrant posters are not just decorative but also educational, providing a fun way to learn about space. They are an excellent choice for a space-themed gift that will add a touch of the cosmos to a child’s room.

They are 8 x 10 inches in size and can be framed or just put up as posters.

For more ideas like this, see the best space posters.

Little Kids First Big Book of Space

The National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Space is a fantastic gift for any child with a budding interest in the cosmos. This book is an excellent way to introduce children to the wonders of the universe, from our solar system to the vast expanse of space beyond.

It’s a perfect blend of education and entertainment, making learning about space an enjoyable experience. It features lots of beautiful pictures and the content is presented in a way that is easy to understand, even for younger readers.

It’s relatively text-heavy and so more for childer of pre-school ages and above.

Astronomy Binoculars for Kids

Astronomy binoculars make a great alternative to a telescope. They are a bit easier to just grab and go, and use in the backyard or take on trips.

This pair from Celestron is perfect for beginners. They are light and the price is relatively cheap. They are perfect for going out and trying to view a meteor shower, look at a full moon, or search for other sights.

For other binoculars, see our article on the best astronomy binoculars.

Moon Wall Light

The Uncle Milton Moon In My Room is a delightful space-themed gift that brings the magic of the moon right into your child’s room. This product is an excellent educational tool that combines fun and learning in a unique way.

It features realistic lunar surface details, making it a captivating addition to any child’s room. It comes with a remote control that allows your child to cycle through 12 different lunar phases. This hands-on interaction can help your child learn about the moon’s phases in an engaging way.

The moon emits a soft light that can serve as a comforting night light. It’s just bright enough to provide a gentle glow without disrupting your child’s sleep.

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Space Gifts for Kids

I hope you have found something that works for you on this list to help your search.

Please share in the comment section below if you have any other good recommendations as I’ll be looking out for good ideas for myself and others.

For older children and adults, see our guide to the Best Astronomy Gifts.