World Space Week | EYFS & KS1 Activity Ideas

**Note: This page is for educational inspiration and is not officially affiliated with World Space Week. World Space Week is coordinated by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) with the support of the World Space Week Association (WSWA). For official information and to learn more about global space activities, please visit the World Space Week website (www.worldspaceweek.org).

Understanding World Space Week in EYFS & KS1

To infinity and beyond! 🚀 World Space Week is an international celebration of science and technology's contribution to the betterment of the human condition. It takes place annually from October 4th to 10th. This global event is coordinated by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) and the World Space Week Association. It commemorates two key dates: the launch of the first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, on October 4th, 1957, and the signing of the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Peaceful Uses of Outer Space on October 10th, 1967. Each year, World Space Week focuses on a specific theme, highlighting a particular aspect of space exploration.

For early years settings, nurseries, preschools, childminders, and Year 1 and Year 2 classrooms, this week provides an incredibly exciting and inspiring theme for exploring science, discovery, our solar system, and the wonders of the universe. It's about sparking curiosity about the cosmos, introducing foundational concepts about planets and stars, and encouraging imaginative journeys beyond Earth. This week offers fantastic planning ideas and inspiration for engaging activities that truly resonate with young minds, making learning about astronomy and scientific exploration both captivating and educational.

Why Is Teaching About Space Important for Young Children?

Integrating lessons about space into your practice with young children (aged 0-7) fires up their scientific curiosity, cognitive development, and understanding of the vast world (and universe!) around them. Space exploration captures the imagination and can be a powerful gateway to learning across many subjects.

• Scientific Curiosity: Learning about space sparks natural questions ("What are stars made of?", "What's on other planets?"), encouraging inquiry and a love for science.

• Scale and Perspective: While complex, introducing the solar system helps children begin to grasp concepts of size, distance, and our place in the universe.

• Vocabulary Expansion: Space topics introduce a rich array of new words (planet, astronaut, rocket, constellation).

• Imagination and Creativity: Space provides endless possibilities for imaginative play, storytelling, and artistic expression.

• Problem-Solving: Discussing challenges of space travel or how things work in space can introduce simple problem-solving scenarios.

• Numeracy and Literacy: Space themes can be easily integrated into counting, shape recognition, letter sounds, and early writing.

Engaging Space-Themed Activities for World Space Week (0-7 Year Olds)

Make World Space Week a truly out-of-this-world experience with these planning ideas and activities perfect for EYFS and KS1 children. The focus is on discovery, exploration, and imagining the unknown! Many of these early years and year 1 activities can be supported by the extensive range of printable resources we have available, particularly those on our dedicated Space planning page.

Here's some inspiration for launching into space adventures in your setting: (Please use your own discretion and knowledge of your children to ensure appropriateness of each activity and safety concerning any materials given and activity undertaken.)

• Solar System Exploration: Introduce the planets using our ‘Planet fact cards’. Build the solar system with our various Solar System puzzles. Discuss what each planet is like and their order from the sun.

• Astronaut Role-Play: Set up a "Space Station" or "Rocket Ship" dramatic play area using our ‘Space dramatic role play pack’. Children can dress as astronauts, count down to launch, and go on imaginary space missions.

• What is it? Posters: Explore scientific concepts with our Space - 'What is a star?' and ‘What is a meteor?’ posters.

• Counting and Number Recognition: Integrate maths with space themes. Numbers on planets, playdough meteors, rocket countdowns, there are lots of opportunities for number in a Space topic. We have a variety of number games, puzzles and challenges to help!

• Literacy and Phonics: Engage with letters and sounds using space themes. Our ‘Astronaut letters and sounds game - phase 2 & 3 phonics’ and ‘Rocket phase 2 words’ are great for this. Encourage writing with ‘Rocket mark making/writing sheets and my space adventure - booklet’.

• Creative Art & Design:

  • Planet Art: Provide materials for children to ‘Design a planet’ or colour planets using ‘Planet colouring sheets (free sample)’.

  • Alien Drawings: Encourage imaginative creatures with ‘Draw an alien’.

  • Star Colour Mixing: Explore colours with ‘Star colour mixing activity’.

• Pencil Control & Fine Motor Skills: Use ‘Land the space shuttle on earth pencil control mats’ to develop fine motor control.

• Vocabulary Building: Introduce and display space-related words using ‘Space item word cards’ and ‘Planet words’.

• Display: Create an inspiring space-themed display using Space border sheets and our specialized Space display lettering.

• Planning Support: For comprehensive planning, use Planning - topic plan ideas - Space.

These activities offer great inspiration for making World Space Week a memorable and impactful experience in your early years and Key Stage One setting, fostering scientific curiosity, imagination, and an understanding of our incredible universe.

To explore ideas surrounding additional early years events, please visit our 'Special Dates Calendar' page.

Printable resources to support teaching & learning surrounding: ‘World Space Week’

Additional Pages you may like to explore which cover relevant &/or Connected themes

More Early Years Event Pages for October

Explore special dates (including awareness dates, festivals, celebrations & events) relevant to your EYFS & KS1 children

Browse our ‘Special Dates Calendar’ page using the link below. You’ll find calendars for every month of the year to aid your planning!

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Disclaimer:
This page is for educational purposes only and is intended to support early years and primary practitioners with ideas and resources related to 'World Space Week'. We are not officially affiliated with or endorsed by the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA) or the World Space Week Association (WSWA). We do not claim any rights to specific trademarks or official materials associated with this event. For official information and to learn more about global space activities, please visit the World Space Week website at www.worldspaceweek.org.