25 STEAM-Themed World Space Week Books for Toddlers

Paper mâché planets and homemade star maps can only mean one thing – it’s Space Week! To celebrate this astronomical event, we’ve compiled our list of must-read STEAM books to get your toddler thinking big 🚀

World Space Week is the largest space event in the world with more than 11,221 events in 87 nations. Celebrated annually between October 4 – 10, Space Week is the perfect opportunity to ignite your child’s curiosity.

While experiments and trips to the museum are fun ways to get into the Space Week spirit, the first step is to get your toddler thinking big. And what better way than to dive into the wide world of books?

In this post, we’ve listed our top Space Week books which are fun and educational. Whether your child is a budding inventor or the next H.G. Wells, there’s something on this STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, maths) list for everyone!

Science

Children love science. From dazzling chemical reactions to mind-boggling facts about the Milky Way, it’s no wonder that children get lost for hours in these captivating reads. Additionally, a keen interest in science boosts children’s curiosity and imagination, so it’s always worth encouraging.

Whether it’s exploring the solar system, physics, or ecosystems, there’s so many science books to choose from:

• 8 Little Planets by Chris Ferrie, illustrated by Lizzy Doyle
• The Solar System: A Lift-the-Flap Book by Steven Wood
• Big Ideas for Little Environmentalists: Ecosystems with Rachel Carson by Maureen McQuerry, illustrated by Robin Rosenthal
• ABCs of Physics by Chris Ferrie
• Priddy Explorers: Space by Roger Priddy  

Technology

In today’s digital age, technology is everywhere. It shapes the way we live and interact with the world. Therefore, introducing your toddler to technology at an early age can set the foundation for success in school and the workplace.

From exploring the inner workings of robots to understanding coding; technology books open a world of possibilities for toddlers:

• Robots, Robots, Everywhere! by Sue Fliess and Bob Staake
• What Do Machines Do All Day? by Jo Nelson, illustrated by Aleksander Savic
• Peekaboo Car by Ingela P Arrhenius and Camilla Reid
• Help! My Robots are Lost in the City! by Webber Books
• Twinkle, Twinkle, Robot Beep by Jeffery Burton, illustrated by Zoe Waring

Engineering

Engineering is all about creativity and problem-solving. It’s the art of designing, building, and making things work. Therefore, introducing engineering concepts to toddlers fosters creativity, curiosity, and critical thinking skills.

Whether it’s building with blocks or learning about simple machines, engineering books spark ingenuity and inspires little builders and inventors:

• Baby Loves Structural Engineering! by Ruth Spiro, illustrated by Irene Chan
• Rocket Science for Babies by Chris Ferrie
• Things that Go by Becky Davies, illustrated by Mei Stoyva
• ABCs of Engineering by Chris Ferrie
• Baby Loves Coding! by Ruth Spiro

Arts

The world of arts is a boundless realm of imagination and self-expression. Encouraging your toddler to explore their artistic side is a journey of discovery. Additionally, arts encompass a wide range of activities from painting and drawing to music and dance.

These books explore space in their own unique ways with differing art styles, storytelling techniques, and points-of-view. Therefore, your child will gain a deeper appreciation for the beauty of artistic expression and how books – just one artform – can tell a deeper story:

• Life on Mars by Jon Agee
• Curious George and the Rocket by Margret Rey, illustrated by H. A. Rey
• Meanwhile Back on Earth by Oliver Jeffers
• Pop-up Peekaboo! Space by DK
• Bizzy Bear: Space Rocket by Benji Davies

Maths

Maths is the language of the universe, and it’s never too early to introduce your toddler to its wonders. Likewise, maths isn’t just about numbers. It’s about patterns, shapes, and problem-solving.

Importantly, these maths books make understanding the foundations of academic success fun! Before long, you might even find your child looking forward to solving equations and counting all on their own:

• Peck Peck Peck by Lucy Cousins
• ABCs of Mathematics by Chris Ferrie
• How Many Legs? by Kes Grey, illustrated by Jim Field
• Space Baby: Blast Off! by Pat-a-Cake, illustrated by Kat Uno
• One is a Snail, Ten is a Crab by April Pulley Sayre and Randy Cecil

Overall, exploring these spacey, STEAM-themed books is a fantastic way to nurture your toddler’s curiosity and a life-long love for learning. Science, technology, engineering, arts, and maths are all integral parts of the rich tapestry of knowledge which shape your child’s understanding of the world. As you embark on this literary adventure, remember to encourage questions and engage in discussion with your child.

So why not dive into these captivating books together and watch your child’s imagination light the darkest corners of the great unknown?

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