International Space Day (1st Friday in May)
Celebrated each year on the first Friday in May, International Space Day encourages curiosity about our universe and honors the achievements in space exploration.
From educational activities to creative crafts and themed treats, it’s a great way to bring science to life for all ages.
Whether you’re into rocket science or just love the stars, this day has something for everyone. It’s also one of many weird holidays in May worth celebrating.
When is the Holiday?
International Space Day is observed annually on the first Friday in May.
Upcoming dates:
- May 2, 2025
- May 1, 2026
- May 7, 2027
- May 5, 2028
Who Invented It?
Originally started in the U.S. as a day to promote STEM and space science, the holiday grew into a global celebration.
It encourages peaceful exploration and aims to inspire future scientists and astronauts. Over time, the idea expanded beyond the U.S., evolving into what we now call International Space Day.
The History of the Holiday
The holiday has its roots in the early days of space exploration, especially the Cold War–era space race between the U.S. and USSR.
With milestones like the launch of Sputnik and the Moon landing, public interest in space grew rapidly.
The formation of the International Space Station later showed the potential for peaceful global collaboration in space, which remains a core theme of this holiday.
Top 5 Fun Facts About the Holiday
- A spacecraft once played music in space. In 2008, an astronaut played a flute aboard the ISS for International Space Day.
- NASA’s site sometimes features themed lesson plans just for this day. It’s a big deal in the education world.
- You can “send” your name to space. NASA often opens missions to the public by allowing people to submit names that get etched on microchips.
- The Moon smells like gunpowder (allegedly). Astronauts have said lunar dust stuck to their suits—and it had a burnt smell.
- Private companies now race to space too. SpaceX and Blue Origin use this day to highlight their missions—and inspire the next generation of astronauts.
Activities to Celebrate
Want to make this day memorable? Here are some hands-on and screen-free ways to celebrate:
- Build Cardboard Rocket Ships – Grab a few paper towel rolls, foil, and colored paper and let kids design their own spacecraft. You can use the Cardboard Roll Rocket Ship tutorial for inspiration.
- DIY Space Puppets – Print, cut, and glue popsicle-stick puppets featuring rockets, aliens, and astronauts. These are perfect for imaginative play or storytelling.
- Make a Galaxy Sensory Bin – Fill a bin with black beans or rice, glittery stars, small planet toys, and astronaut figures. It’s perfect for preschoolers to explore textures and pretend play.
- Create Galaxy Slime – Mix glue, baking soda, and contact solution with glitter and purple/blue food coloring to make spacey slime. A hit for sensory seekers.
- Host a Backyard Stargazing Night – Grab a blanket and a free stargazing app, and see what constellations you can find. Bonus: Try to spot the ISS using NASA’s tracker.
Related Recipes for the Holiday
Here are a few space-themed treats to make your celebration extra stellar:
- Galaxy Ice Cream – This colorful dessert is packed with star-shaped sprinkles and shades of purple and blue. You can find the recipe on Keep Calm and Eat Ice Cream, and it’s a no-churn option—easy and fun.
- Solar System Cupcakes – Chocolate cupcakes topped with vanilla almond frosting dyed space-blue, each decorated as a different planet. A fun way to “orbit” through dessert.
- Galaxy Sushi Bowl – A vegan dish with black rice, vibrant veggies, and purple pickled onions. It’s not just cool to look at—it’s tasty too. Great for a themed dinner.
- Color-Changing Galaxy Lemonade – Using butterfly pea flower tea, this lemonade changes color with acidity. Kids love the wow factor!
- Fruit & Marshmallow Rocket Snack – Stack strawberries, banana slices, and marshmallows on a skewer to resemble a rocket. Easy, healthy(ish), and fun for little hands.
Links to Resources
Here are some space-themed printables and craft ideas to help celebrate:
- If I Were an Astronaut – A fun and simple writing prompt that gets kids thinking creatively about life in space.
- Free Printable Solar System Bingo – A great game for kids to learn about planets while having fun.
- Outer Space Word Search for Kids – A fun, galaxy-themed word puzzle to reinforce space vocabulary. You can print and play anytime.
- Astronaut Puppet Printable – Perfect for preschoolers interested in space—easy to cut, color, and assemble.
- Popsicle Stick Space Puppets + Printable – Includes rockets, aliens, and planets. Great for imaginative storytelling and dramatic play.
- Watercolor Galaxy Bookmarks – A relaxing art activity that doubles as a keepsake.
All are free and can be used at home or in the classroom.
Related Holidays
If you’re a fan of space-themed celebrations, there are a few more dates to keep on your radar.
Pluto Demoted Day on August 24th marks the day Pluto lost its planet status, sparking debates and curiosity about our solar system.
Space Exploration Day, celebrated on July 20th, honors the anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing and is a great time to revisit humanity’s biggest leap.
And for those who love a little mystery with their astronomy, World UFO Day is observed on both June 24th and July 2nd to raise awareness of unidentified flying objects and explore the possibilities beyond Earth.
Pin it!
Share this post about International Space Day on Pinterest!
