How to Make a Planet Craft (Simple Preschool Craft)

There is something fascinating about outer space. From children to adults, planets, stars, and moons capture our imagination. Children will be excited to display this planet craft in their bedrooms. Even more so, kids will love making this simple preschool craft.

One of the highlights of being with my kids is our Mommy Preschool time.

The best part of doing preschool at home is the chance to teach my kids (and whatever buddies are with us) the things that really matter, laugh together, and shower them with love at this young and important age.

While keeping that underlying perspective in mind, we do ALL kinds of activities, from music and math to science and reading. Today’s post is a fun planet craft we made as part of our P is for Planets! Preschool Lesson.

(Get a Checklist of the Full Lesson Here)

Materials for the Planet Craft

First off, you’ll want to gather your supplies. Here is what you will need to make this planet craft for preschool.

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• Black Construction Paper
• White Copy Printer Paper
• Scissors (Or Safety Scissors)
• Pencil
• Round object to trace, protractor, or free hand circle
• Glitter Glue (or Regular Glitter)
• Paint Brush
• Washable Paint(We used red, blue, and green)
• Small cardboard box
• Tape
• Golf Ball (Won’t be ruined)
• Glue Stick
• Newspaper or scratch paper for under the mess

Once you have your materials, you are ready to craft!

Instructions for the Planet Craft

Step 1: Cut Paper

This first step, you can have your preschooler do or complete on your own. I chose to do it because we’re not super good at cutting circles yet (totally age appropriate!), and I wanted her planet to look like a cool planet for her when she was done.

Decide what size you want your planet to be. Trace a circle of that size onto the white paper and cut it out.

Cut the black construction paper to your desired size. We had a leftover piece that was full length and about 2/3 the regular width. This worked perfectly. The long shape looked cool in the end.

Step 2: Glitter Glue Outer Space

Lay newspaper or other scratch paper under the black construction paper.

Use the glitter glue to paint all over the black construction paper. We used blue glitter glue. When it dries, this gives the paper a cool outer space look.

Step 3: Prepare to Paint the Planet

Make sure there are no holes in your cardboard box. Ours had a hole, so we covered the bottom with a layer of newspaper.

Tape the underside of your white circle, and secure it to the bottom of the box.

Squeeze paints of different colors into the box.

Step 4: Paint the Planet

This was my Little’s favorite part!

Put the golf ball into the box. You can use a different kind of ball (I’ve seen this method used with a marble), but the golf ball gives the craft a neat texture that really looks like a planet.

Fold the top of the box shut.

Shake the box repeatedly.

Step 5: Get it JUST How You Want It

Open the box and be amazed!

At least my Little loved seeing what the golf ball had done inside.

See if the planet looks how you want. If not, close and shake again. Repeat until you like how the planet is painted.

Step 6: Dry and Glue Together

Let both of your pieces dry. While they dry, you may want to do some of these other outer space activities.

After the paint has dried, glue the planet onto the black construction paper.

Your planet is complete!

Use Imagination

Either while you make this planet craft or after it dries, it’s really fun to talk about what the planet is like.

Does this planet have purple trees? Can people live there? Any aliens? What are they like? What do you like about our planet? Does your planet have those things?

Encourage your Littles to use their imagination.

Lastly, display your planet proudly!

My Little was really excited to put it up in her bedroom. She kept getting it down to hold and look at. We may have taped up the edges several times already!

More Outer Space and Planet Ideas for Preschool

I hope this simple craft is fun for your preschooler and provides an opportunity for you to craft and talk together.

As I mentioned, I love preschool time with my kiddos. I share a lot of what we do in hopes that it will simplify and make your preschool experience easier.

You can download a free copy of the P is for Planets Preschool Lesson Plan Checklist or check out the lesson plan with more outer space activities here, including an Outer Space Bingo Free Printable Game.

You can also check out the Preschool Lesson Plan Index to see what other Preschool Lesson Plans are published or will be coming soon.

Leave a comment and share what activities your Littles are enjoying, what types of posts you’d like to see, or any other questions or thoughts you have. I love hearing from you. Share pictures on social media using #lovinlifewithlittles. Thanks for visiting, and Happy Crafting!

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