We're super keen to help keep the kids entertained and learning - the perfect combination - at this difficult time, so here's our fourth special eatsleepdoodle fun and educational package of helpful learning resources!

Fun activity #4 - Space explorers

This week we're rocketing up to explore the great depths of outer space... Here are some really fun, creative and educational space-themed activities to do at home.

1. Take a virtual trip to Mars and enjoy travelling around the surface of the Red Planet in your very own Mars rover in Nasa's 'Explore Mars' online game. Using a set of controls, young space explorers can direct the rover to various Martian rocks, analyse them and send the information back to Earth to score research points.

Have fun driving the Perseverance Rover in Nasa's 'Explore Mars' game

2. Join the StoryBots gang and discover outer space though clever, catchy songs and music videos. Packed full of interesting planet facts, moon exploration and sun knowledge, the out of this world episode is one not to miss! Why not check out the complete series of 'Ask The StoryBots' on Netflix for answers to other key questions too. 

Join Beep, Boop, Bing, Bang and Bo and explore outer space

3. Get researching the stars and constellations visible in your area using the clever 360° technology from Stellarium Web. When the sun goes down, put on your snuggliest pyjamas, grab the hot chocolate and go on a star gazing mission. And why not dig out all those picnic blankets, throws and cushions and set up your own observation fort in your living room, garden or balcony, seeing who can spot the researched constellations first?

4. Explore space through your taste buds and get baking your own space themed delights. These planet cookies are a great way of encouraging children to think about size and proportions plus loads of fun to make and decorate (with parental help).

BBC Good Food's Planet Cookies are a great way to visual the solar system plus super tasty too!

5. Get crafting and create your own planets, rockets and moon rocks from old CDs, toilet rolls, baking soda and more...  Or if crafting isn't your thing, then how about building your own Glow in the Dark 3D Solar System.

Make your very own Saturn from an old CD with this helpful tutorial from blogger Kristen Hewitt

6. And finally, put all this space and intergalactic knowledge to the test with CBBC's Planets of the Solar System quiz, National Geographic Kids' Quiz Whiz: The Moon, or download some great printable worksheets and word searches from education.com. 

Can you name the planets in order from the sun? Test yourself with CBBC's Planets of the Solar System quiz

Did you know we also have a space learning resource page on the eatsleepdoodle website? Packed full of fun facts and statistic about the planets and space craft in our solar system, you can check it out here.