Family Storytime: Outer Space

Outer space is always a fun theme that both the kids and I love. There's tons of books and activity ideas and it was special this time because we celebrated the anniversary of the moon landing.

After we followed along to our opening bean bag song, we read Mousetronaut by Astronaut Mark Kelly. I have read this book before and everytime I read it, it keeps the kids attentive throughout the whole story even though it is on the longer side. The illustrations of the mice going up into space are so cute and funny!

Once we got through with our first book, we used the flannelboard and each put up a different colored spaceship on the moon. Of course we had to count the spaceships too.

Our next book was Green Wilma,Frog in Space by Tedd Arnold. This was a silly, rhyming story that also kept everyone's attention.

For our next activity, I put up Earth on the flannelboard and we talked a little bit about our planet. Then, each child was able to put up a star on the flannelboard. They really enjoy having their moment of putting something up on the board, so I always try to incorporate that into storytime.

Our last book was a short, but sweet book called I Wish I Were an Alien by Vivian French. I've also used this book before because it is short, rhyming, and tells a story of a boy who would like to be an alien and of an alien who would like to be a boy.

Once we were done with our last book, we started with our space scene craft. First, everyone glued their moon, earth, rocket, and astronaut onto their construction paper. These were made by using coffee filters for both the moon and earth and clipart/diecuts for the rest. Once everyone glued their pieces on and added star stickers, it was time to color their moon and earth using markers and then lightly spraying them with water to make the colors blend together. This craft turned out perfect and the kids loved piecing it all together.

 

Other Books:

Sidney, Stella, and the Moon Emma Yarlett

Astro Bunnies Christine Loomis

The Way Back Home Oliver Jeffers

Sheep Blast Off! Nancy Shaw

Other Activities:

-One Little Rocket Came Out to Play Flannel

-If You're Happy and You Know It

-Shake Your Sillies Out