The best space toys that are out of this world

best-space-toys

by Emily Gilbert |
Updated on

Houston, we have a problem. Stuck on what to buy a space-obsessed kid? Copy that, we hear you loud and clear. Not to worry, as the best space toys will have you covered. After all, why not let them be curious and learn about the world and beyond?

From imaginative play tents to telescopes, there's so much to explore through toys and games with the best space toys. We've got rocket ships perfect for gearing up for your next rescue mission and projectors that will bring your stories to life.

Imaginative play is great for kids of all ages and keeps little ones entertained for hours. From alien invasions to space shuttle missions, there are endless possibilities that stretch further than the galaxies.

Struggling to keep the little ones entertained while you wait for your space-themed toys to arrive? We've got some great ideas and games you can do at home to pass the time.

6 space-themed activities you can do at home

  • Build a model solar system – use your recycling waste and get creative!

  • Make your own slime, including intergalactic glitter.

  • Build a bottle rocket and launch it into space.

  • Get creative with fairy lights and map out some constellations in a dark room.

  • Join the NASA Kids' Club.

  • Send your name to Mars with NASA and get your boarding pass ready for the next flight.

16 of the best space toys

Best space toy torch
best-space-toys

Rrp: $13.99

Price: $10.99
Alternative retailers
Tractor Supply$10.39View offer
Macy's$10.99View offer
Newegg$20.27View offer
Walmart$27.94View offer

This fun Space Torch projects 24 fascinating coloured space images onto walls and ceilings in dark rooms – a great way for children to immerse themselves in outer space!

Review: "It is a very impressive torch! At the beginning, I thought it was a very blurry image, but the front of the torch can be rotated to focus the image. My kids are happy! And I'm happy."

Pros

  • Involves 24 photographs from NASA
  • Three different slide discs
  • Affordable price point

Cons

  • Smaller than expected
Suitable for:3+ years

Best STEM space toy

A young science kit to encourage early STEM learning and scientific thinking while having fun. Make glow-in-the-dark constellation models, build a telescope and launch your very own rocket. Experiment with shadows, mix up galaxy slime and let your children create a solar system in their room.

Review: "Really good value toy/learning kit. I am a scientist, so this is definitely the kind of toy I would have loved as a kid. I also wanted a chemistry set, and a Meccano set, but I never got them either! I am so happy to go through this kit with my 7 and 9-year-old nephews."

Pros

  • Encourages STEM learning
  • Great fun for all the family
  • Variety of activities to do

Cons

  • Likely needs adult supervision
Suitable for:6+ years

Best space toy to construct
best-space-toys
Price: $39.99
Alternative retailers
Walmart$193.20View offer

This educational space rocket toy for toddlers by Lego is perfect for kids that love to construct and build. Great for developing fine motor skills, cognitive thinking and spatial reasoning. Plus, it's space themed too. Who doesn't love rockets?

Review: "Kids love it. Many hours of fun and involves the use of loads of imagination."

Pros

  • Contains 23 pieces
  • Develops fine motor skills
  • Creative construction

Cons

  • May have trouble balancing
Suitable for:2+years

Best space toy room decorations

Is your little one struggling to sleep? Then, these glow-in-the-dark decorations featuring the planets in the solar system might just provide them with some comfort. Not only does it create a safe space for them, but it also allows them to learn all about the planets through the planetary guide provided.

Review: "Perfect gift for a space-loving kid to go in their bedroom."

Pros

  • Educational planetary guide included
  • Suitable for walls and ceilings
  • Includes 200 adhesive stars

Cons

  • Adhesive could be stronger
Age suitability:5 years+

Best space toy for discovery

Scientific fun doesn't get any better than a telescope. This child's first telescope has a 12x optical magnification and a soft-shell ocular lens cover (eyepiece) for greater comfort. Young researchers can view the stars at night, watch wildlife, or become seagoing pirates.

Pros

  • 12 x optical magnification
  • Soft-shell ocular lens cover
  • Fantastic for stargazing

Cons

  • No reviews yet
Suitable for:6+ years

Best space toy playtent

This space-themed playhouse is a dreamy escape for kids. Play pretend, read books, nap or even indulge in a good game of hide and seek. This is the perfect private small place kids can call their own.

Review: "My son loves this rocket house. It's really easy to put up and take down, and it's really big. He loves the shape and that he can put lots of things in it with him."

Pros

  • Versatile play tent
  • Suitable for indoor and outdoor
  • Easy set-up

Cons

  • Stitching could be stronger
Suitable for:2+ years

Best space toy costume

Houston, we have a costume. Kids will be over the moon when they get to step into the jumpsuit, slip on the stretchy silver gloves, and top it all off with the shiny helmet!

Review: "My grandson loves this suit, especially the helmet and that his name can be written on the front."

Pros

  • Machine washable
  • Versatile costume
  • Durable, sturdy, robust

Cons

  • May run big for a 3-year-old
Suitable for:3-6 years

Best space toy vehicle model
best-space-toys
Price: $74.72

Unbeatable fun for little astronauts! The PLAYMOBIL Space Mars Research Vehicle comes with numerous accessories, a cool light and sound effects.

Review: "Just got it today & am very impressed as a toy collector. The quality of the plastic is good. Have glued the yellow hub caps on. Reminds me of the old Major Matt Mason toy of the '60s, love it!"

Pros

  • Includes 74 pieces
  • Attention to detail
  • Loads of accessories

Cons

  • Battery replacement may prove tricky
Suitable for:6+ years

Best cardboard space toy

Encourage their creativity with this cardboard rocket. Not only can they have fun decorating it exactly how they want it, but they can also use it as a den to play inside or read stories inside. This eco-friendly cardboard play rocket will provide hours of fun.

Review: "I bought the spaceship for my young grandson and it has provided hours of imaginative playtime. A wonderful toy - thank you!"

Pros

  • Made from recycled corrugated cardboard
  • Blank for them to decorate themselves
  • Suitable for outside use in calm conditions

Cons

  • May not be as robust being made from cardboard
Age suitability:3 years+

Best space toy shuttle model
best-space-toys
Price: $65.00
Alternative retailers
Walmart$69.98View offer

Another great offering from LEGO, this building set features a space research shuttle with an opening cockpit, 2 large opening doors and space inside for a storage drone. This set makes a great gift for any curious child.

Review: "Fantastic Lego set that always delivers great fun. My grandson loves anything to do with the solar system, so this was a no brainier. He loves it."

Pros

  • Includes 273 pieces
  • Great value for money
  • Durable, sturdy, robust
Suitable for:5+ years

Best space toy projector
best-space-toys
Price: $44
https://redirect.viglink.com?key=eb32892e8a408657289072c26bd927b5&prodOvrd=PCR&opt=false&u=DRZHQksDHUpPFkMeT1dZWlNKTR5UXQ4dXxJLe0BWCwsRR11KVB8xVxhHHXZfUl9GFWpbTh8zQFkIAVpGWBBIMVxeWUsfNkESQFVVG3ZYXEtNVVteAkZfDQpKH2QWBBBfW19RRkh1DlteVF9SX0YVaUJYWAZRQg0WFAMFTzUQXFhdWkYMVw8bAQoEBQQFDQgDDw%3D%3D&x=v1&prdId=11165685928&barcode=VVcDBAgIAFcPUgAIDg4%3D
Alternative retailers
Macy's$37.79View offer
Tractor Supply$39.99View offer
Lowe's$45.00View offer
Michaels Stores$45.99View offer

Transform your room into an outer space light show with this awe-inspiring projector! Learn about the night sky with four incredible projection discs, and view the planets of the solar system, constellations, moon or over 20,000 stars.

Review: "This projector is the best I've seen on the market. I looked at so many to buy my grandson for Christmas, and nothing compared to this one. It lights up the whole of his bedroom ceiling, and the colours are fantastic. My grandson loves it. He has it on every night when he goes to bed. Would definitely recommend."

Pros

  • High-quality images cover the entire ceiling
  • Includes a free poster of the solar system
  • Auto shut-off function

Cons

  • The cost
Age suitability:8 years+

Best wooden space toy
best-space-toys
Price: $45 (was £60)

www.gltc.co.uk

Watch their imagination take off when they get their hands on this Wooden Space Toy. It consists of a rocket, a rotating launch pad, Earth and moon play surfaces and much more. There's even a refuelling station and astronaut play figures to bring their cosmic stories to life.

Review: "Well designed and imaginative."

Pros

  • Timeless wooden toy
  • Will last for years to come
  • Comes with carry bag

Cons

  • Expensive even on offer
Age suitability:3 years+

Best space toy activity table

A beautiful activity toy for little ones; it will help them develop colour recognition and hand-eye coordination. It's full of colourful beads, levers and gears to push and pull, as well as a tinkly bell, a safety mirror and a clock with moving hands.

Pros

  • Variety of activities to do
  • Keeps little hands busy
  • Encourages learning skills

Cons

  • The price
Suitable for:18 months +

Best crochet space toy

This planet set will inspire children to learn about the solar system and each planet in it. Use them to talk about size differences, special features on each planet, and colour differences. There are so many fun ways these can assist with learning about the solar system and the planets.

Review: "Adorable!! My 3-year-old son loves to play with planets, and there aren't too many options out there for actual planet TOYS. Lots of decor, but when your kid wants to take a nap with a planet, the options are few! This little guy will be the perfect cuddle buddy."

Pros

  • Handmade with love
  • Promotes learning about the planets
  • Great for cuddling

Cons

  • Only one option left in stock
Suitable for:All ages

Best retro space toy

Bounce yourself out of this world with this retro Space Hopper. Equally as fun for adults as it is for children, this toy is a crowd-pleaser all round.

Pros

  • Great fun for all the family
  • Fantastic for keeping them active
  • A nostalgic throwback

Cons

  • Will need adult supervision
Suitable for:5+ years

Best space toy colouring book
best-space-toys
Price: $16.60

Explore out of space with this sticker colouring book with activities and a space fact file, this educational colouring book is great for home learning and play.

Review: "My 4-year-old loved this activity book and completed most of it whilst waiting for our tea in the pub. Good mix of puzzles to keep them entertained and also a good variety of difficulty of puzzles, some easy ones mixed in, which was great to keep my sons attention. Lots of stickers included too, which children generally love!"

Pros

  • Affordable price point
  • Encourages creativity
  • Includes 35 stickers

Cons

  • Could be thicker
Suitable for:3+ years

Our verdict: The best space toys

Selecting the best space toy from our list wasn't an easy task, but somebody had to do it! All of these toys are fantastic in their own unique way. Some are more imaginative, while others involve construction. Some are suited to younger tots, while others are suited to older children.

However, we believe the LEGO 60226 City Space Mars Research Shuttle to be the favourite. Not only does it encourage their learning of outer space, but it also encourages the development of their construction and fine motor skills. They will also be able to use the shuttle model as a decoration in their room as well as a toy, and it will last for years.

How we test and choose recommended products

Our product recommendations are based on a combination of real-world testing from our burgeoning army of mum testers and the extensive knowledge of our experienced editorial team and product specialists. Where we can, we also consult experts who specialise in that field to ensure you get the right advice along with the right product, and we listen to what you say as well.

Our thriving mum community on our Facebook group #mumtribe consistently provides great insights into which products mums like best and why, helping us highlight the products that will meet your needs.

For essential products, our annual Mother&Baby Awards shortlist the top products tested. Full reviews from our mum testers can be found on our product pages. The winners and runners-up for each category will also appear in our top picks article for that product, along with other products that were rated highly by our team.

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Mother & Baby is dedicated to ensuring our information is always valuable and trustworthy, which is why we only use reputable resources such as the NHS, reviewed medical papers, or the advice of a credible doctor, GP, midwife, psychotherapist, gynaecologist or other medical professionals. Where possible, our articles are medically reviewed or contain expert advice. Our writers are all kept up to date on the latest safety advice for all the products we recommend and follow strict reporting guidelines to ensure our content comes from credible sources. Remember to always consult a medical professional if you have any worries. Our articles are not intended to replace professional advice from your GP or midwife.