Welcome to Toddler Camp — a simple, themed day planner to keep your little one engaged at home. This Space Day pairs imaginative play with easy crafts and sensory activities that flow together for a full day of discovery.
This Space Day is designed so each activity connects to the next, creating a cohesive routine built around exploration and pretend play. Below you’ll find movie and show suggestions, active and sensory play ideas, craft tutorials, game recommendations, and book picks — all focused on outer space.
Movies and Shows To Watch
Screen time can be both fun and inspiring when it ties to your theme. Try any of these space-friendly options to kick off the day:
- Toy Story — a playful introduction to space-themed imagination.
- Space Jam — energetic and familiar for many kids.
- La Luna — a short, gentle film perfect for toddlers.
Active Play
Space Walk
Dress your child in a homemade jet pack or hop into a cardboard rocket and take a “space walk.” While exploring, they can hunt for “space rocks” to paint later or pretend to meet friendly “aliens.” If you’re indoors, turn overturned bowls into planets and lay them out as stepping stones to create an obstacle course. Encourage balance, coordination, and imaginative scenarios as they navigate each planet.
Sensory Play
Colander “UFO”
Flip a metal or plastic colander upside down and give your toddler pipe cleaners to thread through the holes. This activity becomes a pretend UFO and supports fine motor development, hand-eye coordination, and open-ended play. Let them twist and bend the pipe cleaners into antennas or colorful accents to personalize their craft.
Crafts
Plastic Bottle Jet Pack
Collect empty soda, milk, or water bottles to make a lightweight jet pack. These craft packs are easy to assemble and great for active imaginative play. Children can help paint the bottles and add streamers or paper flames for a finishing touch. (Adult supervision recommended when attaching straps or securing parts.)
Cardboard Rocket Ship
Turn a large cardboard box into an imaginative rocket ship. Cut six equal rectangles and six matching triangles whose bases equal the short side of the rectangles. Let kids paint and decorate the pieces however they like. For a little passenger, cut a small window or opening in one rectangle so a stuffed animal or doll can “ride” along.
To assemble: join the long sides of the rectangles into a hexagon tube, then attach a triangle to the top of each rectangle. Secure the triangle seams together to form a conical top. Add paper or felt flames to the base for liftoff. If you prefer a closed bottom, cut and glue a hexagon to seal the base. Use a hot glue gun only with adult hands for safety.
Games and Puzzles
Adding a few themed toys enhances learning and pretend play. Consider astronaut peg dolls for story-driven play, a stacking wooden solar system for hands-on sorting and fine motor practice, or simple flash cards to introduce planet names and basic facts.
Books
Reading together rounds out the day. A few gentle, toddler-friendly space titles include:
- Buddy’s Bedtime Battery by Christina Geist
- How to Catch a Star by Oliver Jeffers
- Steve the Star by Kamron Webb
- Toy Story (Little Golden Book)
These picture books support language development and extend the theme into calm, focused time.
If you’d like a full sample schedule and more themed ideas for Toddler Camp, look for posts that explain how to structure camp days to balance craft time, active play, quiet reading, and rest. These setups prioritize free play and downtime alongside guided activities.
Enjoy your Space Day — and if you try any of these projects, take photos of your little astronauts and their creations for keepsakes and memories.