Crafts: Solar System Mobile & Galaxy Watercolor Art

Crafts: Solar System Mobile & Galaxy Watercolor Art

Okay listen—sometimes homeschooling turns into cosmic chaos, and I fully support it. There’s something wildly therapeutic about flinging paint around while pretending you’re NASA’s newest recruit with glitter glue in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other. Today we’re blasting off into art class with two space-themed projects that are as educational as they are delightfully messy:

✨ A Solar System Mobile that lets your kids (and let’s be honest, you) hang the planets in perfect wobbly alignment.

🎨 And a Galaxy Watercolor Art project that’s basically therapy disguised as painting.

We’re talking sparkly orbits, salty nebulae, paint-splattered shirts, and probably at least one moment of “is this Jupiter or a meatball?” But that’s part of the fun. Ready? Let’s make the universe.

☀️ SOLAR SYSTEM MOBILE

You’ve seen them—those hanging planet mobiles that make you want to immediately redo your entire ceiling decor? Yeah. We’re making one. But our version involves more personality, more chaos, and probably a touch of glitter in your hair.

Supplies:

Black or white cardstock (or cut up cereal boxes—reduce, reuse, re-orbit)

Paint (acrylic or tempera works great)

Paintbrushes

Scissors

String, yarn, or fishing line

Wire hanger, stick, or wooden dowel

Hole punch or something pokey (technical term)

Glue

Optional: glitter, metallic markers, sequins, googly eyes (because Pluto deserves one)

How to Make It:

Draw your planets. Different sizes—Mercury’s a marble, Jupiter’s a beach ball. Don’t forget the Sun!

Paint them. Go classic or chaotic. Saturn doesn’t need to be beige. Add texture by sponging or flicking paint for that space dust effect.

Cut them out once dry, unless you like cosmic fingerprints as a motif.

Punch holes and thread your string through.

Tie them onto your hanger/stick at varying lengths so it looks like they’re orbiting and not forming a conga line.

Hang it up. You did it. You literally made a miniature solar system. You’re basically a celestial architect now.

🪩 Bonus tip: Add constellation cutouts, name labels, or even tiny rocket ships between planets for a full “living museum exhibit” vibe.

🎨 GALAXY WATERCOLOR ART

This one? Gorgeous. Cathartic. Messy in a way that’s good for your soul. It’s all about letting watercolor do its thing and watching an accidental masterpiece happen.

Supplies:

Watercolor paper (the thicker, the better)

Watercolor paints (or thinned-down acrylics)

Brushes or sponges

Cup of water

Paper towels

Salt (yes, actual salt—trust the process)

White gel pen or white paint (for stars)

Optional: metallic pens for constellations and sparkle

How to Make It:

Get your paper damp. Use a big brush to wet the surface—don’t drown it, just a nice cosmic mist.

Add your colors. Purples, blues, pinks, and blacks. Let them blend and swirl like interstellar soup.

Sprinkle salt while it’s still wet. The salt will absorb pigment and leave tiny star-like bursts. It’s actual magic.

Walk away. Let it dry completely (seriously, don’t poke it).

Brush off the salt and reveal your galaxy.

Flick on stars with white paint or a toothbrush, or dot constellations with a pen. Bonus points for naming your own nebula.

🌌 Optional: Outline planets, rockets, or the Moon once dry to turn your cosmic chaos into a legit art piece.

🧠 Bonus Learning Moment

You can sneak some science in here, too—talk about the order of the planets, gravitational pull, or why stars look like tiny salt flakes (okay, not exactly, but we’re having fun here). It’s equal parts art class, science lab, and stress relief.

When you’re done, hang your Solar System Mobile near your Galaxy Art and bask in your home-made universe. Congratulations—you’ve officially brought outer space to your living room, and all it cost you was a little glitter and sanity.

Stem: DIY water filtration system inspired by the ISS

 DIY Water Filtration Like the ISS (Minus the Bodily Fluids, You’re Welcome)

Today we’re jumping into a project that is equal parts science, survival skill, and “wow, I cannot believe astronauts actually do this.” We’re talking about cleaning dirty water the way it’s done on the International Space Station — except our version involves zero urine because this is a fun homeschool activity, not a NASA plumbing emergency.

There’s something weirdly satisfying about taking muddy, swampy mystery water and turning it clear again. And knowing astronauts do this while floating around above Earth? Even cooler.

Why This Is Awesome

Astronauts can’t just stroll to a kitchen sink and refill a cup. Water is heavy, expensive to launch, and too precious to waste. So the ISS recycles almost everything:

Sweat

Breath moisture

Condensation

Hand-washing water

And yes… their pee (listen, nobody said space was glamorous)

But after passing through NASA’s extremely advanced system — filters, chemical treatment, distillation, and UV disinfection — the result is very clean water. Genuinely cleaner than some tap water on Earth.

We don’t need all that tech today, but we can recreate the basic idea: filtering gross water into less-gross water.

Supplies

Just a few things from around the house:

Clear plastic bottle (1–2 liters)

Scissors or craft knife

Coffee filter or paper towel

Activated charcoal (fish tanks to the rescue)

Sand

Gravel or small rocks

A cup or bowl

Water mixed with dirt/leaves/grass (embrace the chaos, but not too much)

🧰 Building Your ISS-Inspired Water Filter

1. Prepare the Bottle

Cut the bottom off the bottle and flip it upside down. Boom — DIY funnel.

2. Add Your “Don’t Let the Sand Escape” Layer

Put a coffee filter or paper towel in the neck. This stops your masterpiece from dumping straight out the bottom.

3. Build Your Filter Layers

In this order:

Charcoal – absorbs odors and some chemicals

Sand – traps the finer bits

Gravel – catches the bigger, chunkier chaos

Repeat the layers if your bottle is tall. Go wild (within reason).

4. Make the Dirty Water

Mix dirt, leaves, grass… whatever harmless debris your backyard offers. Science likes drama.

5. Pour and Watch

Slowly pour the dirty water into your creation. The water that comes out will be clearer, cleaner, and significantly less swamp-creature adjacent.

But still not drinkable. Unless you’re role-playing dysentery, which I highly do not recommend.

What’s Going On Here

Each layer has a job:

Gravel grabs big pieces

Sand filters tiny particles

Charcoal helps remove chemicals, smells, and general funk

This is the kid-friendly version of what the ISS does with:

Multi-stage filtration

Chemical reactions

Vacuum distillation

Ion exchange

UV disinfection

All carefully monitored so astronauts don’t accidentally sip something questionable.

Want to Take It Further?

Try experimenting with:

Cotton balls instead of sand

Extra charcoal

Running the same water through multiple times

Different types of “contaminated” water

Talking about drought, water conservation, and real-world filtration

This project opens up tons of great STEM conversations, and kids love watching the water transform.

Final Thoughts

So the next time someone makes a face and says, “Do astronauts really drink THAT?” you can confidently respond:

“Yes, and the final product is cleaner than what’s coming out of your faucet, so calm down.”

This hands-on project is simple, fun, and surprisingly impressive once you see how well the layers work together.

Fiction Books: Across the Universe — Space Adventures in YA & Adult Fiction

Fiction Books: Across the Universe — Space Adventures in YA & Adult Fiction

Alright, cosmic readers — grab your blanket, your favorite mug, and your TBR list that’s already 74 books long (don’t worry, we’re adding to it anyway). We’re heading across the universe — exploring the wild, romantic, dangerous, and deeply human stories that unfold among the stars.

Because space fiction isn’t just about rockets and alien invasions. It’s about survival, identity, loneliness, love, chaos, and hope — the same things we deal with down here, just with more zero gravity and less Wi-Fi.

So whether you like your space adventures full of action, romance, political drama, or pure existential dread, here’s a mix of YA and adult novels that’ll take you to infinity and beyond (without needing to actually pack a bag).

YA Space Adventures — For Dreamers, Rebels, and Galaxy-Runners

Think Titanic, but in space — with survival, romance, and corporate conspiracy. A rich girl and a soldier crash-land on an uncharted planet and have to work together to survive. It’s lush, emotional, and beautifully written — the kind of book that makes you stare dramatically at the stars afterward.

Basically, if “found family” and “chaotic misfits in space” are your thing, welcome home. A squad of outcasts accidentally wake up a mysterious girl who might be the key to saving (or ending) everything. It’s witty, fast-paced, and surprisingly heartfelt.

If you love underdogs, battle training, and snarky spaceship AIs, this is your book. Spensa dreams of becoming a pilot like her father — who’s been branded a coward — and fights her way into flight school on a planet under siege. Great for anyone who loves determination, courage, and sarcastic one-liners.

Yes, it’s told through hacked files, transcripts, and messages — and somehow it’s still an emotional rollercoaster. Corporate cover-ups, plagues, rogue AI, and teenagers just trying to survive. It’s chaotic brilliance, and the audiobook is a full cast masterpiece.

A cyborg mechanic meets an interplanetary prince, and together they uncover political secrets that could change everything. It’s Cinderella meets space rebellion — light sci-fi, strong characters, and a slow burn romance that carries through the whole Lunar Chronicles series.

A girl alone on a spaceship, sending messages back to Earth after a mission goes terribly wrong. It’s eerie, emotional, and completely absorbing. Perfect for readers who like their space stories quiet, psychological, and just a little spooky.

A soldier and a rogue robot (AI, if we’re being polite) become unlikely allies in a war that blurs the lines between human and machine. It’s thoughtful, action-packed, and full of “found humanity” moments that’ll punch you right in the feelings.

The book that literally inspired this post title. A frozen girl wakes up on a spaceship centuries too early — and nothing on board is what it seems. A slow-building mystery mixed with romance and social commentary.

This one’s grounded but stellar — about a girl who dreams of space but gets stuck taking care of her family until she meets the daughter of an astronaut lost in space. It’s emotional, queer, quiet, and beautiful.

Runaway teens, space pirates, and reluctant friendships that turn into something more. It’s got all the snark and banter you want from a good “chaos in space” romp.

Adult Space Fiction — For When You Want Big Feelings and Existential Crises

One astronaut. One planet. Zero backup. It’s survival, science, and humor rolled into one. If you’ve ever wondered what sarcasm and botany look like on Mars, this book’s your answer. (Also, you’ll feel oddly empowered to fix things with duct tape afterward.)

A man wakes up alone in space with no memory — and slowly realizes he might be the only one who can save Earth. Funny, emotional, and unexpectedly hopeful, with one of the best alien friendships ever written.

The start of The Expanse series — a gritty, detailed, political, and human look at life in a colonized solar system. Think noir detective story meets full-on space opera. Perfect if you love morally gray characters and complex world-building.

Yes, the Eragon author went full sci-fi. It’s huge, detailed, and cinematic — an epic story of a scientist who accidentally bonds with an alien symbiote and sets off an interstellar war.

Half space adventure, half cozy found-family drama. A trans violin prodigy, a runaway alien family running a donut shop, and a bargain with the devil — somehow it’s tender, funny, and absolutely brilliant.

If you could only read one “comfort in space” book, this is it. A ship full of wildly different species and personalities traveling through the galaxy, talking about love, culture, and what it means to belong. Cozy sci-fi at its best — like a warm blanket of starlight.

Okay, not strictly “space” — but it’s full of interdimensional chaos, giant creatures, and dry humor. Think “what if Jurassic Park but in another universe.”

A space pilgrimage, seven travelers, and one terrifying, poetic mystery. It’s strange, ambitious, and unforgettable — the kind of book that makes you stare at nothing for ten minutes after finishing a chapter.

The classic story of humanity’s first contact with extraterrestrial life, written by the man who basically taught half the world to love the stars. Thoughtful, emotional, and quietly hopeful.

Discussion Prompts for Family, Book Club, or Personal Journaling

Why do you think space settings make human stories feel bigger — or smaller?

Which would you rather explore: deep space or alien cultures?

How do you think isolation changes people in space?

Do you believe humanity should colonize other planets — or learn to fix this one first?

Which book’s vision of the future feels the most believable to you?

Who’s your favorite “reluctant hero” from any space story?

What makes “found family” stories so perfect for space settings?

Which fictional spaceship would you want to live on?

Would you go on a one-way mission to Mars if you could?

Which space book made you feel the most human?

Final Thoughts

Space fiction isn’t really about stars — it’s about people. It’s about connection and loneliness, love and loss, and the way we carry our humanity into the vast unknown. Whether you love your stories fast and fiery or slow and introspective, there’s a galaxy waiting for you between the pages.

So go ahead, pour yourself some galaxy lemonade, dim the lights, and escape into the cosmos. Just don’t forget to come back — there’s laundry, and probably a small human asking for snacks.

Drinks: Galaxy Lemonade, Stardust Smoothies, and More Cosmic Sips for the Whole Family

Drinks: Galaxy Lemonade, Stardust Smoothies, and More Cosmic Sips for the Whole Family

Alright, my fellow chaos wranglers and mini astronauts — it’s time to grab your mixing spoons and a towel for inevitable spills because we’re making space-themed drinks.

These are colorful, glittery, and just a little over-the-top — basically everything you want in a science-meets-snack kitchen project. Perfect for homeschool fun, themed parties, or that random Tuesday when you need to feel like you’re running your own intergalactic café.

We’re making five space-inspired drinks today:

Galaxy Lemonade

Stardust Smoothies

Meteor Mocha

Cosmic Cocoa

Solar Flare Spritzers

Let’s get messy (scientifically speaking).

1. Galaxy Lemonade

This one looks like a nebula in a cup — all swirling colors and sparkle. It’s perfect for kids and looks fancy enough for adults to pretend it’s a cocktail.

Photo is AI as I have not made this yet

Ingredients:

4 cups lemonade (homemade or store-bought)

A few drops of blue food coloring

1–2 drops of purple or pink food coloring (optional)

Edible glitter or shimmer dust (the secret cosmic ingredient)

Ice cubes (bonus points if you freeze berries in them!)

How to Make It:

Pour lemonade into a large clear pitcher.

Add blue food coloring and stir gently.

Add a single drop of pink or purple and swirl just enough to get that galaxy marbling effect.

Sprinkle edible glitter and stir slowly.

Pour over ice and admire your cosmic creation.

Fun Joke to Tell While Mixing:

What kind of songs do planets sing?

Neptunes!

Optional Chaos Upgrade:

Add frozen blueberries for “asteroid ice” or mix in some sparkling water to make it fizz like starlight.

2. Stardust Smoothies

These are your classic healthy-but-magical breakfast drinks. Perfect for mornings when the kids need fruit and you need caffeine disguised as energy.

Photo is AI as I have not made this yet

Ingredients (for 2 servings):

1 banana

½ cup frozen blueberries

½ cup frozen mango or pineapple

½ cup yogurt

1 cup milk (or coconut milk for extra creaminess)

1 tsp honey or agave

Edible glitter or gold dust for garnish

How to Make It:

Toss everything into the blender — preferably not while the lid is off, but no judgment.

Blend until smooth and galaxy-colored.

Pour into glasses and sprinkle the top with edible glitter.

Serve immediately before someone asks for snacks again.

Fun Joke to Tell While Blending:

What do you call a space smoothie made of rocks?

A meteor-shake!

Bonus Variation:

Add spinach for a “green alien” version or mix in cocoa powder for a “black hole” smoothie.

3. Meteor Mocha (for the grown-ups or brave tweens)

Because space travel requires caffeine. This one’s a mix of coffee and chocolate — smooth, slightly dramatic, and fully chaotic if you let the whipped cream go rogue.

Photo is AI as I have not made this yet

Ingredients:

1 cup strong brewed coffee (cooled)

1 cup milk (or oat milk)

2 tbsp chocolate syrup

Ice

Whipped cream

Crushed Oreos or chocolate shavings for topping

Optional: Space sprinkles, edible glitter, etc

How to Make It:

Fill a glass with ice.

Mix coffee, milk, and chocolate syrup together.

Pour over the ice, top with whipped cream, and sprinkle with Oreos, space sprinkles, and edible glitter.

Swirl the whipped cream dramatically like a meteor tail.

Fun Joke to Tell While Pouring:

Why did the astronaut break up with the moon?

Because it needed space.

Optional Twist:

Add caramel drizzle and call it a “Comet Caramel Mocha.” Instant upgrade.

4. Cosmic Cocoa

Perfect for nights when everyone’s in pajamas and you’re pretending your living room is the International Space Station.

Photo is AI as I have not made this yet

Ingredients:

2 cups milk (or dairy alternative)

2 tbsp cocoa powder

2 tbsp sugar (or to taste)

¼ tsp vanilla extract

Whipped cream

Edible glitter or colorful sprinkles

How to Make It:

Warm milk, cocoa, and sugar on low heat — whisk gently like you’re mixing moon dust.

Add vanilla and stir until smooth.

Pour into mugs and top with whipped cream and glitter.

Fun Joke to Tell While Sipping:

What do astronauts drink at bedtime?

Milky Way cocoa!

Optional Chaos Upgrade:

Use pastel food coloring in the whipped cream to make “galaxy swirls” or drop a few mini marshmallows and call them “asteroids.”

5. Solar Flare Spritzers

A fizzy, fruity drink that looks like a mini supernova. Great for summer days, picnics, or pretending your kitchen is mission control.

Photo is AI as I have not made this yet

Ingredients:

½ cup orange juice

½ cup pineapple juice

Splash of grenadine (or pomegranate syrup)

Sparkling water or lemon-lime soda

Ice

Optional: orange slices or cherries for garnish

How to Make It:

Fill a glass with ice.

Pour in orange juice, then pineapple juice.

Add sparkling water or soda until bubbly.

Slowly drizzle grenadine for that fiery “solar flare” layer at the bottom.

Watch the colors mix like a mini explosion of space joy.

Fun Joke to Tell While Watching It Swirl:

What does the sun say when it finishes work?

“Time to call it a day.”

Optional Twist:

Add a rim of sugar mixed with edible glitter for a sparkling starburst effect.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re throwing a homeschool “Space Week,” hosting a galaxy party, or just need something fun to make on a Tuesday afternoon when the vibes are weird — these drinks are a hit. They’re colorful, creative, and easy enough to let the kids help (and messy enough that you’ll absolutely need paper towels).

And honestly, that’s part of the fun — science, art, and snack time all rolled into one sparkly kitchen experiment.

So go ahead, turn on some space music, dim the lights, and toast to the stars.

Because in this house, we believe in caffeine, edible glitter, and letting the universe get a little sticky sometimes.

ASL Adventures: Learning Space Signs – Moon, Star, Rocket, and Astronaut

ASL Adventures: Learning Space Signs – Moon, Star, Rocket, and Astronaut

Alright, fellow chaos wranglers and tiny human explorers, it’s time to blast off into sign language in outer space! Yes, your hands can become rockets, stars, and moons—and no, it won’t be neat, but it will definitely be memorable.

*Some of the signs don't exactly match the GIF. What I posted is just a simpler version you can do with your kids, or you can use the GIF's provided*

Moon 🌙

How to sign it:

Make a “C” shape with your dominant hand (like you’re holding a crescent moon).

Place it sideways in front of your face or slightly off to the side, as if cradling a tiny moon.

Optional motion: gently rock your hand back and forth to show the moon orbiting.

Fun twist: Pretend your hand-moon is orbiting your head or floating in space. Toddlers love it when you make it “glow” with your other hand wiggling like starlight.

Why it’s fun: It’s tactile, visual, and perfect for talking about moon phases, astronauts, or moon cheese conspiracies. 🧀✨

Star ⭐

How to sign it:

Point your dominant index finger straight up.

Wiggle your finger side to side or in little circles to make it “twinkle.”

Optional: use your other hand in the background to mimic other twinkling stars for extra cosmic drama.

Fun twist: Count stars while signing, or create imaginary constellations. Encourage your kids to make up their own, like Glitterpants, because chaos = creativity.

Why it’s fun: Fingers get wiggly, kids get to imagine sparkling stars, and you sneak in counting and fine motor skills.

Rocket 🚀

How to sign it:

Put your hands together, palms touching, fingers straight and together—like a pencil or a rocket shape.

Point the rocket shape forward, and move it quickly upward in a “launch” motion.

Optional: add “whoosh!” sound effects, or wiggle your fingers like flames shooting out of the rocket boosters.

Fun twist: Have the kids sign the rocket while actually “launching” toys, balloons, or even your cat’s favorite laser pointer across the room.

Why it’s fun: It teaches motion visually, adds drama and sound, and connects ASL with STEM in a playful way.

Astronaut 👩‍🚀

How to sign it:

Make a fist with your dominant hand and tap it lightly to your forehead—this represents the astronaut’s helmet.

Extend your other hand outward, palm down, like you’re floating in zero gravity.

Optional motion: slowly “float” around the room while keeping the helmet hand in place, as if drifting through space.

*I could not for the life of me find a GIF for this one*

Fun twist: Pretend your rug is the moon’s surface and your toys are alien life. Bonus: have a mini space mission story while signing to combine ASL and imagination.

Why it’s fun: Kids love roleplay, it’s memorable, and it’s a perfect excuse to move around while practicing language.

Pro Tips for Cosmic Chaos:

Repeat signs while narrating a tiny space story: “The astronaut zooms past the moon and winks at a twinkling star before blasting into a rocket!”

Mix in sensory experiences—point to glow-in-the-dark stars, hold a small planet, or pretend to float in zero gravity.

Encourage little explorers to invent their own space signs. Chaos = learning.

Final Thoughts:

Learning ASL doesn’t have to be stiff or formal—it can be messy, magical, and totally cosmic. Your hands can tell the story of the universe: the moon, the stars, rockets, and brave little astronauts. And the best part? Kids will remember the signs forever because they acted it, felt it, and laughed through it.

So, ready for lift-off? 🤟🚀🌌✨