Solar System gift for a space mad kid

[Pflanzgarten]

Main caveat, she's 4 years old...

Wife is a scientist, kids are science mad but the youngest has an absolute mega interest in space and the planets. At the moment, talks about them every day, as soon as she comes out of school tells me all about what space things she has learned. Smart kid but at 4 year old has the attention span of a gnat.

Her sister is getting into biology so a Microscope looms (requested) but the space mad one?

We've had things that project a picture of space on her ceiling. Great for ten mins. One of those things that show the planets going around the sun-again, more of an objet d'art for an adult and a passing interest for a kid.

A space exploration DVD? I have a 3D cinema screen I guess but they get so bored at that age...

Any ideas? The Osborne books (spelling?) that enthralled us as kids are really aimed at kids who can actually read more than 3 letter words so I'm at a loss. So if you lot are into it, what do you recommend getting the next generation into it with?

[andburg]

Lego rocket or shuttle?

Depends on the area but there may be a local observatory, could be a real go big moment? A proper observatory could really inspire

[Pflanzgarten]

andburg said:

Lego rocket or shuttle?

Depends on the area but there may be a local observatory, could be a real go big moment? A proper observatory could really inspire

That was answered by google! I get it, plus I'd love to spend a weekend building a lego saturn with her but knowing the kid she'd get bored I reckon and not really relate it to space travel as even the huge Lego Saturn 5 doesn't fit mini figs in it so she can relate to what it is compared to her..

It's a tricky one...

[dukeboy749r]

There is a Californian company who do 3D printed scale models of the Moon and planets, which come with an augmented reality app.

I’ll try searching for their details in my Outlook

[fourstardan]

Pflanzgarten said:

Main caveat, she's 4 years old...

Wife is a scientist, kids are science mad but the youngest has an absolute mega interest in space and the planets. At the moment, talks about them every day, as soon as she comes out of school tells me all about what space things she has learned. Smart kid but at 4 year old has the attention span of a gnat.

Her sister is getting into biology so a Microscope looms (requested) but the space mad one?

We've had things that project a picture of space on her ceiling. Great for ten mins. One of those things that show the planets going around the sun-again, more of an objet d'art for an adult and a passing interest for a kid.

A space exploration DVD? I have a 3D cinema screen I guess but they get so bored at that age...

Any ideas? The Osborne books (spelling?) that enthralled us as kids are really aimed at kids who can actually read more than 3 letter words so I'm at a loss. So if you lot are into it, what do you recommend getting the next generation into it with?

Have a double whammy trip down to the Science Museum in London and you'll find no end of astro stuff in the shop....im sure you'll regret that lol

[Radec]

If you are anywhere close, visiting Jodrell Bank with school was a great trip back in the day when I was very much into space at a similar age.

[lufbramatt]

If you’re able to get to London my kids loved the planetarium shows at Greenwich observatory. Not too long but visually stunning 180 degree screen above you. They do different shows to suit younger audiences.

[Pflanzgarten]

London is a mission unfortunately, although on the list to go with the kids next year. I've ordered a 3D Bluray exploring the solar system for her but again, that'll be something that gets watched once in a while.

I'm sure there'll be some sort of stem toys out there it's just my google-foo is letting me down on this one.

[Alex Z]

Sounds like a trip to the Space Centre in Leicester would be popular. Plenty of things in the gift shop to choose from as a permanent gift.

[bigandclever]

This might be a bit wk, but could you do the old 'name a star' thing and make an evening of spotting it? Might have a bit of longevity to it, 'remember when..' and all that.

And a dangerously massive bag of Haribo

[Pflanzgarten]

bigandclever said:

This might be a bit wk, but could you do the old 'name a star' thing and make an evening of spotting it? Might have a bit of longevity to it, 'remember when..' and all that.

And a dangerously massive bag of Haribo

We did think of a telescope, what with big sister getting her microscope and lab coat! I just figured that anything that could be handled by a four year old would be a bit crap and anything better a bit complicated.

Love the idea though.

[bigandclever]

Pflanzgarten said:

bigandclever said:

This might be a bit wk, but could you do the old 'name a star' thing and make an evening of spotting it? Might have a bit of longevity to it, 'remember when..' and all that.

And a dangerously massive bag of Haribo

We did think of a telescope, what with big sister getting her microscope and lab coat! I just figured that anything that could be handled by a four year old would be a bit crap and anything better a bit complicated.

Love the idea though.

I'm sure a phone app, like Night Sky or whatever, would be more than enough for the 30 second flurry of excitement But the 'my dad bought me a star' bragging to her little mates and every night-time walk has a 'wave hello to your star' opportunity is the old 'experiences not things'.

[s111dpc]

I know Lego has been mentioned above, but what about the Lego City Space sets? They are designed for 6+ so not too far out of the age range and are meant to be played with rather than accurate models.

[Simpo Two]

Pflanzgarten said:

Wife is a scientist, kids are science mad but the youngest has an absolute mega interest in space and the planets. At the moment, talks about them every day, as soon as she comes out of school tells me all about what space things she has learned

It's great to read of such a passion so young, but I didn't know they taught 'space things' to 4-year olds at school - remarkable.

Hopefully dad is fairly well clued up so can answer all the questions for a few years yet!

[zedx19]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Brainstorm-Toys-Solar-Sys...

My kids also obsessed, but aged 7 now, had this for a few years and he still loves it, get some rechargeable batteries though as they don't last long!

[Eric Mc]

bigandclever said:

This might be a bit wk, but could you do the old 'name a star' thing and make an evening of spotting it? Might have a bit of longevity to it, 'remember when..' and all that.

Load of old bks I'm afraid. Stars are named by the IAU and other professional bodies, not by the issue of some sham certificate by a schonky outfit.

You might as well name a tree after a kid.

[Greshamst]

What about a moon lamp? You can get them for about £20. Some you tap or hold to turn on/off, or increase/ decrease brightness so a young kid can do this.

Some have multi colour remotes as well.

They hold charge for about a week, and kids can also play around with them chucking them about as they’re light plastic that’s 3D printed.

[TO73074E]

I bought the DK Knowledge Encyclopedia book for my 5 yr old and she loves it. It's not just focused on space and science but it does feature a lot of info about those subjects. It's a fairly big book and you should be able to get it cheaper than the link below if you shop about.


https://www.dk.com/uk/book/9780241287316-knowledge...

[Bill]

How about a Playmobil Mars rocket?

[Nightmare]

Greshamst said:

What about a moon lamp? You can get them for about £20. Some you tap or hold to turn on/off, or increase/ decrease brightness so a young kid can do this.

Some have multi colour remotes as well.

They hold charge for about a week, and kids can also play around with them chucking them about as they’re light plastic that’s 3D printed.

Was just gonna suggest this! Wife is a rocket scientist so gets bought lots of spacey stuff and the moon lamp is awesome