Kids love all things outer space, and while we can’t bring them to space (yet!), with a little creativity, we can bring space to them! Regardless of your budget, we think every teacher can find ways to transform their place into the coolest space-themed classroom ever. Since teachers are busy people, we have done the work for you and gathered the most otherworldly ideas for your classroom, from nameplates to bulletin boards to reading nooks and even larger-than-life lunar rover models! Your classroom transformation will be ready to blast off in 3 … 2 … 1!
(Just a heads up, WeAreTeachers may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. We only recommend items our team loves!)
1. Build a rocket ship
Source: Dawson’s 4th Grade Dragons
This reading rocket from Dawson’s 4th Grade Dragons is so cute!. Place comfy chairs or pillows below in the “hot seat” so your little astronauts have a soft place to read.
Learn more: Dawson’s 4th Grade Dragons
2. Blast off with this bookshelf
Source: Pinterest/Bing.com
This easy-to-fashion bookshelf rocket ship looks great and is also a good way to store books and other classroom materials. Make sure you fill it with our space-themed books so you really drive the theme home!
Buy it: 4-Tier Bookshelf at Amazon; Red Storage Baskets at Amazon, Red Scoop Front Baskets at Amazon
Learn more: Pinterest/Bing.com
3. Role-play in this rocket ship
Source: Pinterest/Claudia Buszko
Your students will certainly love this role-play rocket ship that allows them to imagine themselves as a NASA astronaut.
Learn more: Pinterest/Claudia Buszko
4. Make it life-size
Source: Amazon/Review by Xochitl Lara
Not gonna lie: We’d love to try to fit into this sweet cardboard rocket!
Buy it: Cardboard Rocket at Amazon
5. Create a positive learning environment
Source: Pinterest/Cindy Fonnesbeck
This clever rocket-ship behavior chart works equally well as space-themed decor and as a tool to set expectations.
Learn more: Pinterest/Cindy Fonnesbeck
6. Build the solar system
Source: Fête à Fête
We are so crazy about these paper lantern planets that bring the solar system into the classroom!
Buy it: Paper Lanterns in assorted colors and sizes at Amazon
Learn more: Fête à Fête
7. … or make it inflatable!
Source: Oriental Trading
Does it get more fun than this cool inflatable solar system?
Buy it: Inflatable Planetsat Oriental Trading
8. Display work that’s out of this world
Source: Elementary Teacher To Be
This idea is an awesome way to showcase stellar work during a space-themed period in your classroom.
Learn more: Elementary Teacher To Be
9. Ignite and inspire
Source: Teacher Blogspot
This dazzling display packs a big punch, but all you will need to replicate it is some colored cellophane and twinkle lights.
Buy it: Colored cellophane at Michaels; LED Twinkle Lights at Amazon
10. Celebrate the helpers
Source: Supply Me
Your little astronauts will undoubtedly get a kick out of seeing themselves in this space-themed classroom task-management chart.
Buy it: Giant Rocket Wall Decal at Amazon
Learn more: Supply Me
11. Houston, we have a reading nook!
Source: Pinterest/Twinkl Resources
This stellar reading space (pun intended) will make your students feel like they are venturing to the moon while reading or doing other activities.
Buy it: Astronaut Costumes for kids at Amazon; Silver Mylar Roll at Amazon; Inflatable Planets at Amazon
Learn more: Pinterest/Twinkl Resources
12. Make reading a blast
Source: The Gilded Pear
This setup is so cute, it has us ready to launch into a good book for hours on end.
Buy it: Black Cube Storage at Amazon
Learn more: The Gilded Pear
13. See the stars
Source: Amazon/Review by Carla Dickey
This DIY star projector makes us want to lie on our backs and relax while searching the sky for constellations.
Buy it: Star Projector at Amazon
14. Stargaze in your classroom
Source: Amazon/Review by DDNNY Teacher
Fluorescent lights have never looked cooler than with these astronomy light covers.
Buy it: Octo Lights at Amazon
15. Make an astronomical door design
Source: Pinterest/Kaprea Reid
This cute door design is equally inviting and inspiring.
Buy it: Black Paper Roll at Amazon
Learn more: Pinterest/Kaprea Reid
16. Shoot for the stars (through this door)
Source: Pinterest/Danya Woods
Is it just us, or do you also read this door in a Buzz Lightyear voice?
Learn more: Pinterest/Danya Woods
17. This classroom door is a blast
Source: Pinterest/Ratyra Moore
We can’t decide which we love more, this door’s crepe paper flames at the bottom of the rocket or the rhyme.
Learn more: Pinterest/Ratyra Moore
18. Lead a class of space invaders
Source: Pinterest/Lubna Dadabhoy
BRB, we are busy hopping into our flying saucers to invade this classroom.
Learn more: Pinterest/Lubna Dadabhoy
19. Hang this gateway to the galaxy
Source: Oriental Trading
Regardless of whether you choose to decorate your door, spruce (er, space) up the frame with this galaxy border.
Buy it: Out of This World Door Curtainat Oriental Trading
20. Trim with the solar system
Source: Amazon/Review by Desiree
You’ve got to get this solar system trimmer for your whiteboard or bulletin board.
Buy it: Space Trimat Amazon
21. Write their names in the stars
Source: Amazon
Copy that for these stellar flat nameplates too!
Buy it: Star Name Platesat Amazon
22. Elevate your reading rug
Source: Amazon/Review by Shaneice Robinson
What’s better than a comfy rug for your classroom? An outer space rug that will teach your kiddos about planets while they sit on it!
Buy it: Space Rug at Amazon
23. Bask in the moonlight
Source: Amazon
This cool moonlight will elevate any reading nook while creating a cozy atmosphere for reading about space.
Buy it: Glowing Moon Lightat Amazon
24. String your space theme together with this garland
Source: Amazon/Review by Sijiwoo
This outer space garland is so cool and we think it’s just the thing to tie your space theme together (figuratively, of course).
Buy it: Space Garlandat Amazon
25. Hop aboard this space shuttle reading nook
Source: Amazon
Kids can climb into the co*ckpit while they pretend to head for the stars!
Buy it: Space Shuttle Play Tentat Amazon
26. Explore the solar system
Source: Amazon
This beautiful backdrop is perfect for a space-themed classroom.
Buy it: Space Backdropat Amazon
27. Launch into a good book
Source: Pinterest/Luke Revell
This library corner is perfect for cosmic kids!
Learn more: Pinterest/Luke Revell
28. Dream big with space-themed wall art
Source: Amazon
Brighten your walls with this space-themed classroom wall art set. Some have inspirational quotes while others teach letters and numbers.
Buy it: Space-Themed Wall Art at Amazon
29. Tuck away into this reading nook
Source: Oriental Trading/Library Nook blog by Chad Boender, kindergarten teacher
This sweet library nook is the perfect spot for learning about space and more.
Buy it: Rocket Ship Stand-Up at Oriental Trading; Gold and Silver Star Centerpieces at Oriental Trading; Space Party Favor Boxes at Oriental Trading; Glow-in-the-Dark Canopy at Amazon
Learn more: Oriental Trading/Library Nook blog by Chad Boender, kindergarten teacher
30. Let your students become astronauts
Source: Oriental Trading/Space-Themed blog by Chad Boender, kindergarten teacher
Create a 3D bulletin board that includes photos of all your students as astronauts! First, let them color their own astronaut printables. Then add a photo of each child’s face. Finish it off by attaching astronaut helmets made of DIY clear plastic Christmas ornaments.
Buy it: Astronaut Printable at Oriental Trading; Large Clear Christmas Ornaments at Oriental Trading
Learn more: Oriental Trading/Space-Themed blog by Chad Boender, kindergarten teacher
31. Imagine the possibilities
Source: Playhouse Designs
This shuttle is expensive but so fun!
Buy it: Upright Shuttle Nook at Playhouse Designs
32. Create an outer space oasis
Source: Oriental Trading
Give your little astronauts the coziest reading space in the galaxy, so they can really immerse themselves in those space-themed books!
Buy it: Inflatable Space Shuttle at Oriental Trading; Inflatable Solar System at Oriental Trading; Large Metallic Stars at Oriental Trading; Black and Silver Stars Fabric Roll at Oriental Trading
33. Search the stars for inspiration
Source: Amazon
Your students will surely draw inspiration from these space posters for the classroom!
Buy it: Space Posters at Amazon
34. Make your classroom a cosmic gateway
Source: Pinterest/Stacy Stahl
Add these decorations to your classroom door so your students will really feel like they are entering another dimension!
Learn more: Pinterest/Stacy Stahl
35. Glow up with these planet decals
Source: Amazon
Turn the lights off, and let your students get the full outer-space experience with these cool stickers!
Buy it: Space Wall Decalsat Amazon
36. Look to the future
Source: Amazon/Review by Carl B.
Space-themed posters are great, and ones with inspirational messages are especially awesome!
Buy it: Space Bulletin Boardat Amazon
37. Build a rocket
Source: Play to Learn Preschool
Activity centers are key to any good space-themed classroom. Challenge your students to build their very own space shuttle from blocks—Duplo, LEGO, or Magna-Tiles would all work well.
Buy it: Strictly Briks at Amazon
Learn more: Play to Learn Preschool
38. Get spacey at circle time
Source: Play To Learn Preschool
Start each day with a space-themed circle time so students learn something new about space every day.
Buy it: Plush Toy Astronaut at Amazon, Space Busy Book at Amazon
Learn more: Play To Learn Preschool
39. Hang an otherworldly shower curtain
Source: The Lifetime Learner
While we wouldn’t immediately think of hanging a shower curtain in our classroom, the right one really adds something to a space-themed classroom!
Buy it: Astronaut Shower Curtain at Amazon
Learn more: The Lifetime Learner
40. Require astronaut ticket admission
Source: The Lifetime Learner
Hand out tickets for your students that grant them admission to your space-themed classroom. They can also be used as bookmarks!
Learn more: The Lifetime Learner
41. Light up constellations
Source: Mrs. Plemons Kindergarten
Invest in a light table if you don’t already have one. Then all you’ll need to have your students create constellations are some stars and black beans!
Buy it: Guidecraft LED Table at Amazon, Glow in the Dark Stars at Amazon
Learn more: Mrs. Plemons Kindergarten
42. Transform your classroom into a galaxy
This space-themed classroom tour shows so many great ideas for transforming your classroom into a galaxy.
Buy it: Astronaut Helmet at Amazon, Galaxy-Themed Classroom Decor at Amazon
43. Make a PVC pipe lunar rover
Source: Austin American Statesman
This one will require a lot of work, but we think the end result will be worth it!
Learn more: Austin American Statesman
44. Create a command center
Source: Early Learning Ideas
Set up a command center for your little astronauts with these printables!
Buy it: Dramatic Play Printables at Early Learning Ideas
Learn more: Early Learning Ideas
What are your favorite space-themed classroom ideas? Come and share in our WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.
Plus, check out some more of our classroom themes, including Hollywood, owls, and camping. And be sure to try these space-themed activities too!
