On the next clear night, go outside with a parent or caregiver and spend fifteen minutes looking at the sky, identifying the Moon, any visible planets, and at least one constellation using a free stargazing app like Sky Map or Star Walk. Talk about what you notice, what questions come to mind, and what you would want to explore if you could visit any of those objects. Building a habit of observing the sky is one of the first things many astronauts say sparked their interest in space.

Build a simple model rocket using a kit or household materials, such as a plastic bottle, cardboard fins, and a bicycle pump, to launch it using air pressure. Before you launch, predict how high it will go and then observe what actually happens. Draw a picture of your rocket, label its parts, and write a short mission report describing what you built, what happened during the launch, and what you would change next time.

Ask a parent or caregiver to take you to a nearby planetarium or science museum that has space exhibits, telescope viewings, or rocket-building workshops. Many planetariums offer free or low-cost family shows that take you on a virtual tour of the solar system and let you ask questions about what you see. Bring a notebook and write down one thing you learned and one question you still want answered.