Rocking Astronaut

Take a little trip to the Moon and make your own rocking astronaut!

This simple paper craft turns a few printed pieces into a little astronaut sitting on a crescent moon. After you put everything together, the moon can gently rock back and forth, making the spaceman look like he’s bouncing around in space.

Get the template here

Here’s a fun little fact: the word “astronaut” actually comes from two Greek words that mean “star” and “sailor.” So in a way, an astronaut is basically a sailor who travels among the stars.

And do you know that astronauts can actually grow a little taller while they’re in space? Without gravity constantly pressing down on their spine, their bodies can stretch out, and they can temporarily gain up to around 3% in height.

I was honestly pretty surprised when I found this out. If I hadn’t looked into astronauts while making this craft, I probably would never have known about it!

Learning Through Crafting This Rocking Astronaut

Making this Rocking Astronaut gives kids a chance to practice creativity and hands-on paper skills.

Choosing colors for the astronaut and Moon lets them experiment with different combinations and decide how they want their craft to look. Cutting, folding, and gluing help develop fine motor skills, hand control, and coordination.

The project also encourages kids to work carefully through each part and pay attention to the instructions. Since there are several steps to complete, it gives them practice with concentration and seeing a project through from beginning to end.

Ideas for the Classroom and Homeschool

This printable can fit nicely into lessons about space, astronauts, the Moon, or space exploration. Kids could learn a few simple facts about the Moon or what astronauts do and then make their own astronaut as a hands-on activity to go along with the lesson.

It could also be used as part of a space-themed week or a lesson about the solar system. After making the craft, kids could draw the place they imagine their astronaut visiting or write a few sentences about what they might see there.

For younger children, the activity can be kept simple with a short conversation about the Moon and astronauts. Older kids could use the craft as a starting point for a longer writing activity or a small space-themed project.

Rocking Astronaut Step By Step Guide

Supplies Needed

• Cardstock
• Colored pencils, crayons, or markers
• Scissors
• Glue
• A printed photo for the astronaut’s face
• The Rocking Astronaut Template

Rocking Astronaut Instructions

Step 1: Print out the Rocking Astronaut Template on cardstock.

Step 2: Color the spaceman and moon.

Step 3: Carefully cut out all the pieces.

Step 4: Fold three small strips of paper in half and glue them to the points shown in the image.

Apply glue to the top of each strip, then place the second moon piece on top.

Step 5: Fold both edges of the rectangular piece along the pre-drawn lines and then glue this onto the inside of the moon at the base to make it hold it’s shape.

Step 6: Glue your kid’s photo into the astronaut’s helmet.

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