Make this fantastic outer space small world for space-themed imaginary play.
Space themed imaginary play activities
Download our ready-made Space Unit and printables
Our Play Academy Space Unit gives you a ready-made programme of lessons to learn about planets, stars, our solar system and our galaxy with your children.
In these space-themed lessons plans your children can :
:: learn about the planets in our solar system
:: make planet paintings
:: learn about stars and constellations and go star gazing
:: learn about space exploration and make junk model rockets
:: create an outer space small world to stretch their imagination and consolidate their learning
In this Space Unit you’ll receive these bonus printables:
:: four-part Planet Fact Cards for knowledge learning, re-capping and game playing
:: a My Favourite/Favorite Planet Journal Page with fun prompts to write and draw your favourite
:: Star Alphabet Cards for literacy activities
:: Constellation Cards for knowledge learning, star gazing and game playing
:: Rocket Number Cards for math activities
See more and download your copy of our ready-made Space thematic unit here.
Outer space small world play
A small world is a mini playland which children can create themselves, using characters, props and sensory play materials.
Through small world play your children can:
:: develop language, practise new vocabulary, and make conversations between characters
:: explore with their senses and invent things with loose parts
:: recap knowledge they have gained this week about space, and use their imaginations to tell made-up stories about space
Your small world can be as simple or elaborate as you like.
It can use toys, puppets, loose parts and bits and bobs from around the house.
It can be useful to define the area of the small world by creating it on a table, cloth, large piece of paper or designated area of the floor. This gives the small world its own zone, so it doesn’t get damaged and can stay out for several days of in-depth play.
There are no strict rules about how to build your small world but often it starts with a container/area, sensory materials, and a few props such as dolls or puppets.
You can use sand, folded fabric, shredded paper or waterbeads to create the surface of a distant planet.
Add in the junk model rocket you made on Day Four of our Space Unit. You might use the planet painting you made as your backdrop.
Set out a pile of ‘junk’ along with scissors, pens and sticky tape and invite your children to make something to go in their small world: aliens, space vehicles, a home?
What story can they tell with their outer space small world?
Download your ready-made Space Unit
Don’t forget to download your copy of the Play Academy’s ready-made Space Unit. With this grab-and-go Space Unit, you’ll be ready to lead a week of learning about space, planets, stars and space travel.
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