Stem: DIY water filtration system inspired by the ISS

 DIY Water Filtration Like the ISS (Minus the Bodily Fluids, You’re Welcome)

Today we’re jumping into a project that is equal parts science, survival skill, and “wow, I cannot believe astronauts actually do this.” We’re talking about cleaning dirty water the way it’s done on the International Space Station — except our version involves zero urine because this is a fun homeschool activity, not a NASA plumbing emergency.

There’s something weirdly satisfying about taking muddy, swampy mystery water and turning it clear again. And knowing astronauts do this while floating around above Earth? Even cooler.

Why This Is Awesome

Astronauts can’t just stroll to a kitchen sink and refill a cup. Water is heavy, expensive to launch, and too precious to waste. So the ISS recycles almost everything:

Sweat

Breath moisture

Condensation

Hand-washing water

And yes… their pee (listen, nobody said space was glamorous)

But after passing through NASA’s extremely advanced system — filters, chemical treatment, distillation, and UV disinfection — the result is very clean water. Genuinely cleaner than some tap water on Earth.

We don’t need all that tech today, but we can recreate the basic idea: filtering gross water into less-gross water.

Supplies

Just a few things from around the house:

Clear plastic bottle (1–2 liters)

Scissors or craft knife

Coffee filter or paper towel

Activated charcoal (fish tanks to the rescue)

Sand

Gravel or small rocks

A cup or bowl

Water mixed with dirt/leaves/grass (embrace the chaos, but not too much)

🧰 Building Your ISS-Inspired Water Filter

1. Prepare the Bottle

Cut the bottom off the bottle and flip it upside down. Boom — DIY funnel.

2. Add Your “Don’t Let the Sand Escape” Layer

Put a coffee filter or paper towel in the neck. This stops your masterpiece from dumping straight out the bottom.

3. Build Your Filter Layers

In this order:

Charcoal – absorbs odors and some chemicals

Sand – traps the finer bits

Gravel – catches the bigger, chunkier chaos

Repeat the layers if your bottle is tall. Go wild (within reason).

4. Make the Dirty Water

Mix dirt, leaves, grass… whatever harmless debris your backyard offers. Science likes drama.

5. Pour and Watch

Slowly pour the dirty water into your creation. The water that comes out will be clearer, cleaner, and significantly less swamp-creature adjacent.

But still not drinkable. Unless you’re role-playing dysentery, which I highly do not recommend.

What’s Going On Here

Each layer has a job:

Gravel grabs big pieces

Sand filters tiny particles

Charcoal helps remove chemicals, smells, and general funk

This is the kid-friendly version of what the ISS does with:

Multi-stage filtration

Chemical reactions

Vacuum distillation

Ion exchange

UV disinfection

All carefully monitored so astronauts don’t accidentally sip something questionable.

Want to Take It Further?

Try experimenting with:

Cotton balls instead of sand

Extra charcoal

Running the same water through multiple times

Different types of “contaminated” water

Talking about drought, water conservation, and real-world filtration

This project opens up tons of great STEM conversations, and kids love watching the water transform.

Final Thoughts

So the next time someone makes a face and says, “Do astronauts really drink THAT?” you can confidently respond:

“Yes, and the final product is cleaner than what’s coming out of your faucet, so calm down.”

This hands-on project is simple, fun, and surprisingly impressive once you see how well the layers work together.

ASL Adventures: Learning Space Signs – Moon, Star, Rocket, and Astronaut

ASL Adventures: Learning Space Signs – Moon, Star, Rocket, and Astronaut

Alright, fellow chaos wranglers and tiny human explorers, it’s time to blast off into sign language in outer space! Yes, your hands can become rockets, stars, and moons—and no, it won’t be neat, but it will definitely be memorable.

*Some of the signs don't exactly match the GIF. What I posted is just a simpler version you can do with your kids, or you can use the GIF's provided*

Moon 🌙

How to sign it:

Make a “C” shape with your dominant hand (like you’re holding a crescent moon).

Place it sideways in front of your face or slightly off to the side, as if cradling a tiny moon.

Optional motion: gently rock your hand back and forth to show the moon orbiting.

Fun twist: Pretend your hand-moon is orbiting your head or floating in space. Toddlers love it when you make it “glow” with your other hand wiggling like starlight.

Why it’s fun: It’s tactile, visual, and perfect for talking about moon phases, astronauts, or moon cheese conspiracies. 🧀✨

Star ⭐

How to sign it:

Point your dominant index finger straight up.

Wiggle your finger side to side or in little circles to make it “twinkle.”

Optional: use your other hand in the background to mimic other twinkling stars for extra cosmic drama.

Fun twist: Count stars while signing, or create imaginary constellations. Encourage your kids to make up their own, like Glitterpants, because chaos = creativity.

Why it’s fun: Fingers get wiggly, kids get to imagine sparkling stars, and you sneak in counting and fine motor skills.

Rocket 🚀

How to sign it:

Put your hands together, palms touching, fingers straight and together—like a pencil or a rocket shape.

Point the rocket shape forward, and move it quickly upward in a “launch” motion.

Optional: add “whoosh!” sound effects, or wiggle your fingers like flames shooting out of the rocket boosters.

Fun twist: Have the kids sign the rocket while actually “launching” toys, balloons, or even your cat’s favorite laser pointer across the room.

Why it’s fun: It teaches motion visually, adds drama and sound, and connects ASL with STEM in a playful way.

Astronaut 👩‍🚀

How to sign it:

Make a fist with your dominant hand and tap it lightly to your forehead—this represents the astronaut’s helmet.

Extend your other hand outward, palm down, like you’re floating in zero gravity.

Optional motion: slowly “float” around the room while keeping the helmet hand in place, as if drifting through space.

*I could not for the life of me find a GIF for this one*

Fun twist: Pretend your rug is the moon’s surface and your toys are alien life. Bonus: have a mini space mission story while signing to combine ASL and imagination.

Why it’s fun: Kids love roleplay, it’s memorable, and it’s a perfect excuse to move around while practicing language.

Pro Tips for Cosmic Chaos:

Repeat signs while narrating a tiny space story: “The astronaut zooms past the moon and winks at a twinkling star before blasting into a rocket!”

Mix in sensory experiences—point to glow-in-the-dark stars, hold a small planet, or pretend to float in zero gravity.

Encourage little explorers to invent their own space signs. Chaos = learning.

Final Thoughts:

Learning ASL doesn’t have to be stiff or formal—it can be messy, magical, and totally cosmic. Your hands can tell the story of the universe: the moon, the stars, rockets, and brave little astronauts. And the best part? Kids will remember the signs forever because they acted it, felt it, and laughed through it.

So, ready for lift-off? 🤟🚀🌌✨

Field Trips: The Best Space-Themed Adventures and Virtual NASA Tours

Field Trips: The Best Space-Themed Adventures and Virtual NASA Tours

Okay, friends. Grab your snacks, your camera, and your sense of cosmic wonder — we’re going on a field trip. Space-style.

Now, before you start Googling “how much is a rocket ship,” don’t panic. You don’t have to fly to the moon (though if someone offers, please invite me). You can have incredible space-themed adventures right here on Earth — from NASA centers to planetariums, science museums, and even your own backyard with a blanket and a telescope app.

This is your all-in-one guide to the best space field trips across the U.S., virtual NASA tours, general ideas for local or DIY adventures, and discussion prompts to make your trips more than just “we looked at a rocket.”

Top Real-Life Space-Themed Field Trips in the U.S.

1. Kennedy Space Center – Merritt Island, Florida

The gold standard of space field trips. You’ll see real rockets, walk under the massive Saturn V, visit the Space Shuttle Atlantis, and even watch a rocket launch if you time it right.

Website: https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/

Try This:

Do your own “launch countdown” outside the Rocket Garden.

Ask: “If you were the first person on Mars, what would your first words be?”

At home later, build your own cardboard rocket using boxes and paint.

2. Johnson Space Center – Houston, Texas

Home to Mission Control and astronaut training. You can see the original control room, touch a real moon rock, and tour full-scale spacecraft replicas.

Website: https://spacecenter.org/

Try This:

Bring a notebook and sketch the rockets.

Ask: “How would you stay calm if something went wrong in space?”

Back home: Make a mini “control panel” from cardboard, bottle caps, and buttons.

3. U.S. Space & Rocket Center – Huntsville, Alabama

Space Camp central! Full-size rockets, simulators, and an IMAX dome theater that’ll have you clutching your seat.

Website: https://www.rocketcenter.com/

Try This:

Let your kids “train” like astronauts on a simulator.

Ask: “What do you think would be the hardest part of living in space?”

Later, design your own “mission patch” using markers or digital art.

4. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum – Washington, D.C.

It’s free, massive, and filled with everything from the Wright Brothers’ plane to the Apollo 11 command module.

Website: https://airandspace.si.edu/

Try This:

Ask: “Would you rather be the person who flies the rocket or designs it?”

Find the Apollo 11 exhibit and discuss how teamwork got humans to the Moon.

At home, write “interviews” as if your family were astronauts.

5. Griffith Observatory – Los Angeles, California

The view alone is worth the trip. Add telescopes, planetarium shows, and constellation maps, and you’ve got a top-tier space day.

Website: https://griffithobservatory.org/

Try This:

Go at sunset and watch the stars appear one by one.

Ask: “Which constellation looks most like what it’s supposed to be?”

Later, make your own constellation art with black paper and star stickers.

6. Adler Planetarium – Chicago, Illinois

America’s first planetarium! It’s interactive, hands-on, and perfect for all ages.

Website: https://www.adlerplanetarium.org/

Try This:

Ask: “If you could name your own constellation, what would it look like?”

Let kids design their own star maps or space stories afterward.

7. Lowell Observatory – Flagstaff, Arizona

Where Pluto was discovered! You can look through real telescopes and see the night sky from one of the clearest places in the U.S.

Website: https://lowell.edu/

Try This:

Bring binoculars or your own telescope to compare views.

Ask: “If you discovered a new planet, what would you name it?”

Other Amazing Space Stops

Spaceport America (New Mexico) – The first commercial spaceport.

Chabot Space & Science Center (California) – Telescope nights and labs.

Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum (Oregon) – Space exhibits + Spruce Goose.

Liberty Science Center (New Jersey) – Interactive planetarium experiences.

Clark Planetarium (Utah) – One of the most advanced digital domes in the country.

General Space-Themed Field Trip Ideas (For Anywhere)

You don’t need a NASA badge to have an amazing space adventure. Here are some ideas you can do anywhere:

Planetarium Visit: Most mid-size cities have one! Go for a live sky show or telescope night.

Local Observatory: Many universities or astronomy clubs host free public viewing nights.

Science Museum: Look for exhibits on space exploration, gravity, or robotics.

Library Space Week: Check your library calendar — many run “STEM & Space” programs.

Backyard Star Party: Lay out blankets, make cocoa, and use a free app like “SkyView” or “Star Walk” to identify constellations.

Rocket Launch Day: Build straw or paper rockets and launch them with straws or PVC air tubes.

Meteor Shower Night: Look up upcoming meteor showers (like the Perseids) and stay up late together.

Space Art Gallery: Visit a local art museum or host your own art show featuring space-themed crafts.

Movie Field Trip: Go to a planetarium-style IMAX to see documentaries like Journey to Space or Hubble 3D.

Virtual Space Mission: Host a “mission day” at home — everyone gets a job (pilot, scientist, engineer), and you have to “survive” an imaginary mission to Mars using household items.

Virtual NASA Tours & Online Adventures

If you can’t get to a space center in person, NASA offers amazing free online experiences:

NASA Glenn Research Center Virtual Tours: Rocket testing, wind tunnels, and more.

https://www.nasa.gov/glennvirtualtours

Langley Research Center Virtual Tour: Explore the facilities that helped launch the first astronauts.

https://oh.larc.nasa.gov/oh/

Johnson Space Center Virtual Tour: Astronaut training, mission control, and spacecraft design.

https://spacecenter.org/at-home/virtual-experiences/

Kennedy Space Center Virtual Tour: Explore launch pads, shuttles, and exhibits.

https://www.nasa.gov/virtualtour

International Space Station Interactive Tour: Navigate inside the ISS using 360° photos.

https://earth.google.com/web/data=Cj8KPwogMHg0MzgwNjE5ODVkMzE1MDhlOjB4YzQ3YTAyZTIzMDhiZmY5OBkx83k9A-3HACGIBGQBA

NASA’s Eyes on the Solar System: Explore planets and spacecraft in real time.

https://eyes.nasa.gov/

Questions to Ask During or After Your Trip

What surprised you most about how rockets or space suits work?

Would you rather design rockets, fly them, or explore new planets — and why?

What’s something from space travel that would be helpful on Earth?

How do you think astronauts stay calm during emergencies?

If you could bring one thing from home to space, what would it be?

What do you think Earth looks like from space — describe it in colors, not words.

How do you think life in space changes how people see the world?

What’s one invention from NASA that we use every day?

Which planet do you think would be the most fun to visit?

How does it make you feel to look at something that’s actually been to space?

Bonus Activities for Before or After Your Trip

Younger Kids

Make astronaut helmets from paper bags or cereal boxes.

Use flour or cornstarch to make “moon dust” sensory bins.

Create paper rockets and practice “launches.”

Older Kids

Research a famous astronaut and present their “mission highlights.”

Calculate the distance between planets or the time it takes light to travel from the sun.

Create a photo journal or scrapbook of your field trip with fun facts.

Whole Family

Keep a “Space Adventure Log” — write one thing each person learned or loved most after every trip or virtual experience.

Final Thoughts

Space field trips aren’t just about rockets — they’re about curiosity, teamwork, and realizing how small (and incredible) our little blue planet really is. Whether you’re standing under a real Saturn V rocket or exploring a virtual space station from your couch, it’s all part of the same mission: inspiring awe.

So pack those snacks, print the checklist, and embrace the chaos. Ask weird questions, take too many photos, and let the kids dream as big as the universe itself. Because that spark of wonder — that moment they look up and go “wow” — that’s the real field trip magic.

Schoolin' With My Homies: January's theme is... Outer Space!

 

My adventures in homeschooling my kiddos.

January's theme is... Space! 

There’s something magical about January—the quiet after the holidays, the chill in the air, and the endless night sky sparkling above. It feels like the perfect time to slow down, look up, and let curiosity pull us into orbit.

This month, we’re trading snowflakes for stardust and turning our lessons toward the stars. The theme? SPACE! ✨

We’ll be learning how rockets blast off, what makes comets glow, and how constellations tell stories across time. Our days will be filled with bubbling rocket experiments, glittery galaxy crafts, moon-dust sensory play, and maybe a few astronaut snacks along the way (freeze-dried strawberries, anyone?).

Space month is all about wonder—asking big questions, exploring big ideas, and realizing how small and extraordinary our little blue planet really is. Whether you’re building a cardboard rocket in the living room or reading under a blanket fort with a flashlight “moon,” every moment this month is a tiny adventure waiting to happen.

So grab your helmets and imagination—it’s time to blast off into a brand-new year filled with curiosity, creativity, and cosmic fun.

Foods:

Galaxy Popcorn

What you’ll need:

Fresh popcorn

Colored sugar or edible glitter (purple, blue, silver)

Melted white chocolate or candy melts

How to make it:

Drizzle the melted chocolate over popcorn laid out on parchment paper. Sprinkle the colorful sugar or glitter while it’s still warm. Let it cool, break apart, and cue the oohs and aahs.

Moon Cookies

What you’ll need:

Sugar cookie dough

Round cookie cutter

Powdered sugar or edible silver dust

How to make it:

Bake the cookies, then dust them with powdered sugar or shimmer powder to create crater-like texture. For extra fun, let kids press a spoon into the dough before baking to make “craters.”

Black Hole Donuts

What you’ll need:

Chocolate donuts

Black icing or glaze (black food coloring + chocolate glaze)

Silver sprinkles

How to make it:

Glaze donuts with black icing and sprinkle a few edible “stars.” Serve with milk for your morning trip into the void.

Comet Trail Pretzel Rods

What you’ll need:

Pretzel rods

Melted chocolate or candy melts

Sprinkles or colored sugar

How to make it:

Dip one end of each pretzel in melted chocolate, then roll in sprinkles. Lay them on wax paper to set—the streaks look like comet tails.

Nebula Smoothies

What you’ll need:

Blueberries, strawberries, bananas, yogurt, milk

Food coloring (optional for drama)

How to make it:

Blend fruits separately to create different colored smoothies, then spoon alternating layers into a glass. Swirl lightly with a straw for that cosmic cloud look.

Crafts: 

Paper Plate UFOs

Turn an ordinary paper plate into an intergalactic vehicle ready for adventure!

You’ll need: 2 paper plates, glue, scissors, markers or paint, plastic cup, foil or sequins.

How to make it: Paint or color both plates silver. Sandwich them together (bottoms facing out) with a cup glued on top for the cockpit. Decorate with foil bits or sequins for blinking lights.

Cotton Ball Galaxies

A fluffy swirl of cosmic color perfect for rainy afternoons.

You’ll need: cotton balls, black or dark blue paper, paint or liquid watercolor, glue, glitter.

How to make it: Dip cotton balls in colorful paint and glue them down in spirals to form your own galaxy. Sprinkle glitter “stardust” before it dries.

 Paper Star Wands

A little sparkle never hurt an explorer.

You’ll need: cardstock stars, wooden dowels or straws, ribbon, glue, paint.

How to make it: Decorate stars, glue to dowels, tie ribbon tails, and wave your cosmic power around the room.

Galaxy Watercolor Art

Swirling colors and shimmering stars make this a gorgeous art-meets-science project.

You’ll need: watercolor paper, watercolor paints (blue, purple, black), white paint or gel pen, salt.

How to make it: Paint the paper in galaxy colors, sprinkle salt while still wet for starburst textures, let dry, brush off the salt, then dot white paint stars across your night sky.

Glow Star Mobiles

Bring the night sky indoors.

You’ll need: glow-in-the-dark stars or paper cutouts, string, small branch or dowel, tape.

How to make it: Tie string to each star, hang from the branch, and display near a window or lamp to charge up the glow.

Pipe-Cleaner Aliens

Wiggly, colorful creatures from another world!

You’ll need: assorted pipe cleaners, pom-poms, googly eyes, beads.

How to make it: Twist and bend pipe cleaners into alien shapes, glue on eyes, add beads for texture, and give them funny names.

Constellation Jars

A glowing galaxy right in a mason jar.

You’ll need: clean jars, black paper, push pin or needle, tape, LED tealight.

How to make it: Poke constellation holes into the black paper, wrap inside the jar, and drop in the tealight. When lit, constellations shine like the real night sky.

Galaxy Resin Keychains

Carry a tiny galaxy wherever you go.

You’ll need: UV or epoxy resin kit, mica powder or glitter, small molds, jump rings, keychain hardware.

How to make it: Mix resin according to instructions, stir in mica or glitter for a nebula swirl, pour into molds, cure, and attach hardware. Each one becomes a mini universe on your backpack.

Glow Planet Canvas Paintings

Brighten your room with glowing planets and stars.

You’ll need: canvas, acrylic paint, glow-in-the-dark paint, brushes, optional glitter.

How to make it: Paint a colorful galaxy background, then layer planets and stars. Finish with glow paint so your art comes alive in the dark.

Space Jewelry

Wear the cosmos around your neck.

You’ll need: beads, string or wire, small galaxy charms, pliers.

How to make it: Thread beads in planet-inspired colors, add a charm, and finish with a clasp. Try color-coding each “planet” in order of the solar system!

Sensory:

Moon Sand

Powdery, moldable, and perfect for lunar craters.You’ll need: 8 cups flour, 1 cup baby oil, optional black or gray coloring.

How to make it: Mix ingredients until it holds shape when pressed. Add toy astronauts, mini flags, or rocks to create a mini moon base.

Glow Star Rice Bin

Calming, colorful, and luminous.

You’ll need: rice dyed with black and blue food coloring, mini glow stars, scoops, cups.

How to make it: Mix everything together and play under a blacklight for extra magic.

Asteroid Bin (Magnet Hunt)

Hands-on science and sensory in one!You’ll need: foil balls (with small magnets inside), black beans or lentils, magnetic wand or stick.How to make it: Hide the foil asteroids under the beans and let kids dig them out using magnet wands like real scientists.

Color-Mixing Nebula Jars

Swirly, dreamy galaxy-in-a-jar fun.You’ll need: clear jars, cotton balls, water, food coloring, glitter.How to make it: Layer cotton, water tinted with color, and glitter. Repeat until full—each layer becomes a nebula cloud.

Kinetic Sand Crater Bin

Build and explore moon landscapes.You’ll need: kinetic sand, rocks, small balls, astronauts or toy cars.How to make it: Shape moon surfaces, roll balls to make “craters,” and add figurines to create stories on the surface of the moon.

Shaving Cream Nebula Clouds

Soft, fluffy color-mixing experiment.You’ll need: shaving cream, liquid watercolors, tray, toothpick.

How to make it: Spray shaving cream on a tray, drop colors on top, and swirl for colorful clouds that look just like nebulas.

STEM:

Moon Crater Impact Experiment

Physics + observation fun.

You’ll need: flour, cocoa powder, tray, and marbles.

How to make it: Layer flour in a pan, sprinkle cocoa on top, then drop marbles from different heights. Observe the “craters” that form and measure their size.

 This models how meteors create impact craters on the Moon.

Alien Life Adaptation Challenge

Science + creativity = critical thinking gold.

Kids brainstorm what an alien species would need to survive on a chosen planet — think oxygen sources, protection from radiation, and food systems — then build models or draw their ideas.

Scale of the Solar System Walk

Experience astronomical scale — literally!

You’ll need: long outdoor space, printed planet labels, tape measure, chalk.

How to make it: Mark where each planet would be if the Sun were the size of a soccer ball. (Earth is about 10 feet away, Neptune nearly 300 feet!) Discuss how vast space really is.

Solar Energy Race

Learn how the Sun powers movement.

You’ll need: toy cars, black paper, white paper, thermometer, sunlight.

How to make it: Park one car on black paper and one on white paper in sunlight. After a few minutes, feel the temperature difference. Discuss how dark colors absorb more heat energy — same idea behind solar panels!

Research Topics:

What are the phases of the Moon and why do they happen?

What are constellations and how did they get their names?

What causes craters on the Moon?

What happens during a solar or lunar eclipse?

What are wormholes, and could they really exist?

How do black holes form?

Bible 

1. God Created the Universe

Verse: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” — Genesis 1:1

Lesson: Before there were stars, planets, or galaxies, there was God. He spoke everything into being — from the glowing sun to the tiniest grain of space dust. This reminds us that God is powerful, creative, and intentional in every detail of His creation.

2. The Heavens Declare God’s Glory

Verse: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” — Psalm 19:1

Lesson: When we look at the stars or pictures from telescopes, we’re seeing the incredible beauty God made to show His glory. Every star is like a shining reminder that God is real and that His handiwork is far beyond anything we could create.

3. God Holds Everything Together

Verse: “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” — Colossians 1:17

Lesson: Just like gravity holds planets in orbit, God holds the entire universe — and our lives — together. Even when we can’t see how things will work out, we can trust that God is in control of every detail.

4. God Knows Every Star (and You!)

Verse: “He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.” — Psalm 147:4

Lesson: The universe is so big that we can’t count the stars — but God can! He knows each one by name, just like He knows you. You are more special to Him than all the stars in the sky.

5. We Shine Like Stars

Verse: “Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.” — Philippians 2:15

Lesson: When we choose to be kind, patient, and loving, we stand out in a dark world just like stars shine in a dark night. God calls us to be bright lights for Him.

Books: 

Fiction Books for preschoolers and lower elementary:

Non-Fiction Books for preschoolers and lower elementary:

Fiction Books for upper elementary and middle schoolers:

Non-Fiction Books for upper elementary and middle schoolers:

Movies:

Youtube videos:

My themed playlist here

ASL:

Space

Hold your hands in front of you, palms facing each other.

Move them apart slowly to show how big space is.

Look upward to show “outer space.”

Star

Point both index fingers up.

Rub them past each other a few times in tiny up-and-down motions — like twinkling stars.

Sun

Make a “C” hand near your forehead.

Move it outward and open your fingers wide — like sunshine coming out.

Smile like it’s bright!

Moon

Make a small “C” shape with your thumb and index finger.

Place it by your eye and move it up a little — like a crescent moon in the sky.

Earth/World

Make a fist with one hand (that’s the planet).

With the other hand, wrap your thumb and middle finger around it and twist a little — like the Earth turning.

Planet

Use one hand to make a small circle around your other hand — like a planet orbiting.

You can also sign “EARTH” if you mean “planet.”

 Rocket

Make the letter “R” (cross your fingers).

Place it on your other flat hand (the launch pad).

Then zoom it upward fast — like a rocket blast-off!

 Astronaut

Pretend to put on a big round helmet with both hands — that’s your space helmet!

You can also spell it: A-S-T-R-O-N-A-U-T.

Satellite

Hold one hand still (Earth).

Use your other index finger to go in circles around it — like a satellite orbiting.

 Orbit

Point one finger and make it go in a circle around something in the air — that’s how planets orbit the sun.

Comet/Shooting Star

Point up, then move your finger fast across the sky — like a star shooting through space.

You can trail your fingers behind it to show the comet’s tail.

Alien

Touch your forehead with your index finger, then move it up into a bent “V” shape — like antennas!

Or just spell it: A-L-I-E-N.

Life Skills:

For Toddlers (1–4 Years)

Theme: Learning Like Little Astronauts

Focus: Independence, routines, and sensory exploration

Suit Up Practice (Dressing Skills)

Pretend to put on a space suit — gloves, boots, helmet (use coat, shoes, hat).

Skill: Practice putting on and taking off clothes.

Space Connection: Astronauts must learn to dress carefully in gear.

Mission Cleanup

Pick up “space rocks” (balls or toys) and return them to the “rocket base” (toy bin).

Skill: Cleaning up after playtime.

Space Connection: Astronauts must keep the spacecraft tidy and safe.

Snack Time Space Prep

Help open snack containers or pour water into a cup.

Skill: Fine motor control and self-feeding.

Space Connection: Astronauts eat carefully packaged food in space.

Rocket Hand Washing Countdown

Count down from ten while scrubbing hands (“10…9…8…”).

Skill: Proper hand washing.

Space Connection: Astronauts must stay germ-free in space.

Space Sorting Station

Sort “moon rocks” by color or size.

Skill: Categorization and visual discrimination.

Space Connection: Scientists sort space samples by type and size.

For A Little Older Kids (5–8 Years)

Theme: Becoming Junior Astronauts

Focus: Daily routines, responsibility, and early safety awareness

Astronaut Morning Routine Chart

Brush teeth, get dressed, make the bed, and check off each step on a “launch checklist.”

Skill: Morning routine management.

Space Connection: Astronauts use checklists before every mission.

Space Snack Prep

Make a “space mix” with cereal, pretzels, and dried fruit.

Skill: Basic food prep and nutrition awareness.

Space Connection: Astronauts mix small meals in zero gravity.

Laundry Lift-Off

Sort light and dark clothes into different baskets.

Skill: Sorting laundry.

Space Connection: Astronauts must keep clothing organized for cleaning in space.

Space Safety Practice

Role-play what to do in different emergencies, like getting lost or needing help.

Skill: Safety awareness.

Space Connection: Astronauts practice safety drills before missions.

Budgeting Galaxy Game

Use play money to “buy supplies” for a space trip.

Skill: Early money management.

Space Connection: NASA plans budgets carefully for every mission.

For Older Kids (8-13 Years)

Theme: Space Crew Members

Focus: Problem-solving, teamwork, and responsibility

Mission Menu Planning

Plan a healthy “space menu” for one day.

Skill: Nutrition and meal planning.

Space Connection: Astronauts plan balanced meals for long missions.

Space Laundry and Cleaning Rotation

Create a “crew schedule” for household chores.

Skill: Organization and responsibility.

Space Connection: Each astronaut has daily maintenance tasks on the space station.

Communication Control Center

Practice using calm, clear language to report problems or ask for help.

Skill: Communication and self-expression.

Space Connection: Astronauts must communicate clearly with mission control.

Budget Your Mission

Use a small budget to “buy supplies” for a craft or snack project.

Skill: Basic budgeting and planning.

Space Connection: NASA manages limited resources for space travel.

DIY First Aid Pack

Learn what items go in a first aid kit and what each one does.

Skill: Health and safety awareness.

Space Connection: Astronauts are trained to perform first aid in space. 

Field Trips:

Planetarium Visit – Watch a show about the stars and planets.

Science Museum – Explore space exhibits, rockets, and astronaut gear.

Stargazing Night – Go somewhere dark and look at constellations and planets.

Rocket Launch Project – Visit a local park and launch small model rockets.

Space Simulation Day – Create a “Mission Control” and “Crew” experience at a local science center.

Virtual Space Field Trip – Watch NASA tours or space station videos online.

Coloring pages: