Ways to get kids excited about exploring the universe

The universe is vast. While outer space is always one of the most exciting things to learn about, it can also be confusing. However, this shouldn't stop kids from getting excited about space. In fact, we should encourage them!

Getting your child excited about space is easier than you think. According to NASA's Space Place, early exposure to space science helps build strong STEM skills . Here are five ways to get your child excited about space .

Take the kids to the planetarium

One of the best places to get kids interested in space is a planetarium. It has lots of fun games and tools that help kids learn about space science.

A day trip to the planetarium can spark a new love of space in your child. They can see how telescopes work, learn how rocket fuel is made, and how rockets fly.

Many planetariums also have live science shows where staff perform fun experiments that will amaze kids. The best part? Many of these experiments can also be done at home, giving kids a fun way to learn.

Buy a telescope and go camping

Camping is a great family activity. It can also be an educational trip that gets your kids curious about the stars. With a telescope & a tent, you can take your kids camping, make a fire, eat cookies and watch the stars.

Find a safe, not-too-bright spot for the best stargazing. A camping trip can create lasting memories while also getting your child excited about space.

Watch funny movies or videos about space

Learning about space can be fun but also challenging. There are many difficult words and ideas that children may not understand. But when explained simply, your child will want to learn more.

YouTube channels like Kurzgesagt, Bright Side, and Tech Space teach viewers about space in a fun, easy-to-understand way. Kurzgesagt stands out because it covers space topics that aren't taught in school. The videos have great animations that feel like cartoons, but they're based on real science.

If YouTube isn't working for your family, try watching movies or TV shows about space to help develop your child's interest.

Learn facts about space and share them with your kids.

Your child loves hearing interesting facts from you. Their brains absorb knowledge like sponges. You can use this to get your child interested in the universe.

In your spare time, look up some fun facts about space and share the most interesting ones with your kids. Do you know why Uranus and Neptune are called 'ice giants'? They have a lot of water, ammonia and methane ice deep inside them, but they are not completely frozen! Another fun fact: The Sun is like a small star. Some stars are 10,000 times bigger than our Sun - that's like comparing a grain of rice to a car!

These are just a few of the amazing facts about outer space. Do a little research and you might find yourself interested in the world beyond Earth.

Join the astronomy summer camp

During the summer vacation, many centers and schools organize astronomy summer camps. Let your children participate if possible.

Some classes let students design their own space stations in Minecraft. Others have hands-on projects where kids act as engineers to solve space problems.

By sending your child to space camp, they will meet other kids with similar interests.

Lesley Montoya

Update 29 May 2025