Astronaut activity for kids: a K–2 spacesuit relay game

1. Ask: "What do we need to stay alive here on Earth?" (Air, water, food, the right temperature.) Explain that space has no air to breathe.
2. Show each part and read its card: the backpack holds air to breathe, the helmet keeps that air around your head, the suit keeps your body from getting too hot or too cold, and gloves and boots protect hands and feet.
3. Teams line up. The first runner goes to their team's box, picks up one part, helps the team's astronaut put it on, says what it does, and runs back.
4. Runners keep going until their astronaut is fully suited.
5. The suited astronaut does a slow "moonwalk" back to the team, holding a teammate's hand.
6. Quick round: call out a job, like "keeps your air in", and teams hold up the right part.

Safety: clear the space and play at walking speed in tight areas. Keep the bag helmet open at the face so the astronaut can see and breathe easily, and never put a plastic bag on anyone's head.

Differentiation: students who need support play without the race, one part at a time. Students who are ready explain why gloves need to be both thick and bendy. English learners can point to a part and say its name.

Quick check: ask a student which part holds the air to breathe and why astronauts need it in space.

Save this activity to your library so it is ready when you need it.