Best Space Gifts for Kids

littleBits Space Rover Inventor Kit
(Image credit: littleBits)

Need to find a gift for a kid who loves to build, explore or read great stories? From telescopes to building kits to illustrated books, we've has you covered. Here are our spaced-out shopping suggestions and stellar gift ideas.

(Image credit: littleBits)

littleBits Space Rover Inventor Kit

Reasons to buy

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Opportunity for Discovery

This littleBits robot kit includes the electronic building blocks to build their own space rovers. Customers don't just include parents; elementary teachers also use these kits in their classrooms to teach STEM in an engaging way.

Why We Love It: This toy allows kids to customize their space robot with various features like a robotic arm and a sample-collecting scoop. And in addition to building and customizing the rover, kids can drive the robot using an app. 


 

(Image credit: Playmobil)

Playmobil Mars Space Station

Reasons to buy

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Build your New Home

Playmobil has created this Mars base set for ages 6 to 10. It features an illuminated base and two docking stations, and the set includes two astronauts, one robot, computer, tools, food supplies, space crystals, telescope, video recorder, and other accessories. Keep in mind that like many such toys, some parts could be choking hazards for kids younger than 3 years of age.

Why We Love It: Customers say their children love the variety of missions their imaginations can take them on with this kit. The set is also very detailed, such as including sleeping compartments for the astronauts. 

(Image credit: Celestron)

Celestron Cometron 7x50 Binocular

Reasons to buy

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Get a Good Look

This binocular is great for general and astronomical use. The light-gathering ability of the Celestron Cometron binoculars allows users to enjoy plenty of backyard astronomy, whether it's moon gazing or star-spotting.

Why We Love It: Kids will have an easy time keeping a hold of these lightweight binoculars. And included in the gift is a carrying case, objective covers, eyepiece covers, lens cloth, and instruction manual. This binocular is also designed to be water-resistant for use in damp conditions.


 

(Image credit: Atheneum/Richard Jackson Books)

Moonshot: The Flight of Apollo 11

Reasons to buy

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Man's Greatest Achievement

This illustrated book by Brian Floca first came out in 2009, for Apollo 11's 40th anniversary. The new 2019 edition expands on the details of the mission and includes parts about the diverse team members who helped from the ground so that Apollo 11 could reach the moon.

Why We Love It: Many customers have commented that they like the writing very much. The words read like poetry making reading aloud to children very enjoyable.
 

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Doris Elin Urrutia
Contributing Writer

Doris is a science journalist and Space.com contributor. She received a B.A. in Sociology and Communications at Fordham University in New York City. Her first work was published in collaboration with London Mining Network, where her love of science writing was born. Her passion for astronomy started as a kid when she helped her sister build a model solar system in the Bronx. She got her first shot at astronomy writing as a Space.com editorial intern and continues to write about all things cosmic for the website. Doris has also written about microscopic plant life for Scientific American’s website and about whale calls for their print magazine. She has also written about ancient humans for Inverse, with stories ranging from how to recreate Pompeii’s cuisine to how to map the Polynesian expansion through genomics. She currently shares her home with two rabbits. Follow her on twitter at @salazar_elin.