Gift ideas · Space
Gifts for kids who love space
Space kids want to know how far, how big and how hot. Good gifts get them looking at the real sky, and help them make sense of what they see.
Skip: Cheap toy telescopes with big zoom numbers on the box. They wobble and show a blur. Decent binoculars show more of the moon.
Not sure how they play? Take the quiz.
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Ages 4 to 6
- 1A first big book of spaceOur pick: National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of SpaceIt answers the questions they ask at bedtime, with big photos. Find it
- 2A stomp rocketOur pick: Stomp Rocket Ultra, 4 rocketsStomp on the pad and the rocket shoots way up. They'll launch it all afternoon. Find it
- 3A solar system floor puzzleOur pick: Melissa & Doug Solar System floor puzzle, 48 piecesBig pieces with the planets in order. They learn the names without trying. Find it
- 4Kid binocularsOur pick: GeoSafari Jr. KidnocularsSized for small faces. The moon looks a little closer, and they'll take them on every walk. Find it
One we made ourselves
Ages 7 to 9
- 1A star chart they can turnOur pick: The Night Sky planisphere (David Chandler)Set it to tonight's date and it shows which stars are up. Get the one for your part of the country. Find it
- 2Binoculars for the moonOur pick: Celestron Outland X 8x25 binocularsReal binoculars show craters on the moon, and on a clear night, Jupiter's moons. Find it
- 3A glow-in-the-dark solar system to paintOur pick: 4M Glow-in-the-Dark Solar System Mobile kitThey paint the planets, hang them over the bed, and they glow after lights out. Find it
- 4A space encyclopediaOur pick: National Geographic Kids Space Encyclopedia, 2nd editionFrom the moon to black holes, written for kids who want the real numbers. Find it
Ages 10 to 12
- 1A first real telescopeOur pick: Celestron FirstScopeA small tabletop telescope that's easy to aim. Craters on the moon, and Saturn's rings on a clear night. Find it
- 2A model rocketOur pick: Estes Alpha III Launch SetA real rocket with a launch pad. Engines are sold separately, and a grown-up runs launch day. Find it
- 3A book about the universeOur pick: Astrophysics for Young People in a Hurry (Neil deGrasse Tyson)Short chapters on the big questions, for kids who are done with picture books. Find it
- 4A guide to what's up thereOur pick: Turn Left at OrionIt shows where to point a small telescope and what you'll see. Grown-ups use it too. Find it
Things to do near you
Gifts are one way in. Camps, classes and weekend events for kids who love space are another. Tell us where you are and we'll email when there's a good one close by. About once a month.
How kids who love space tend to play
A lot of kids who love space are Explorers, and some are Puzzlers. Most kids are a mix of two Play Types, so the quiz is the quickest way to know which lists to use.
Gifts for other things kids love
Gift ideas by Play Type
Holiday gift lists
Buying for the grown-ups too? Gifts they'll still own, scored on warranty and repair: for dad, for mom, under $100.
