Best Space Documentaries for Kids

The best space documentaries for kids occur in a world where imagination knows no bounds. The wonders of space have always captured the hearts and minds of young adventurers. And with their insatiable curiosity and desire to explore the unknown, children are natural-born stargazers eager to uncover the secrets of our vast universe. 

What better way to fuel their cosmic curiosity than through captivating space documentaries explicitly tailored for young minds?

At a Glance: Best Space Documentaries for Kids

These top picks for the best space documentaries for kids entertain and educate. In addition, we picked a range of films and shorts for younger children to teens to enjoy.

Best Space Documentaries for Kids

We’ll explore a selection of the best space documentaries for kids that will captivate and inspire young minds. From breathtaking visual spectacles to fascinating scientific revelations, these films offer an unforgettable journey through the cosmos, providing an educational and awe-inspiring experience for children of all ages.

So fasten your seatbelts, buckle up, and get ready to embark on an extraordinary voyage to the stars!

The Wonderful: Stories From The Space Station

The International Space Station emerged when nations came together to create this unique space habitat. Scientists and astronauts discover the universe’s secrets while also gaining a deeper understanding of our planet Earth. 

This space documentary for kids of all ages highlights what it’s like when humans from around the world come together to live and work in this unique environment. The Wonderful tells their stories and brings life in space alive for each of us. It is hugely inspirational to any aspiring astronomer.

What’s Up In Space: The Solar System For Kids

Season 1 of What’s Up in Space includes seven 12-minute episodes to introduce youngsters to the solar system. They use a combination of illustrations, computer-generated animations, and live-action to explain astronomy topics in a way kids understand and enjoy.

The award-winning series is often used in classrooms but is entertaining enough for home viewing. This space documentary for kids starts with planet Earth before dashing off into the universe. It explores space, the Moon, solar system planets, stars, and the Sun. Mars gets its own episode since it regularly captures our imaginations.

The Planets

Here’s another excellent educational space documentary series for kids. The Planets uses new NASA footage to teach young people about our solar system. Renowned astronomers and astronauts share their experiences in a way that appeals to students.

You’ll also see a combination of satellite and telescope images with computer-generated animations. And the results are stunning as the solar system comes alive before your eyes.

Episodes include the creation of the solar system, terrestrial planets, the atmosphere and the gas and ice giants. In addition, you’ll learn about the Moon and Sun before season 1 wraps up by delving into what happens to the solar system in a billion years.

How The Universe Works

How the Universe Works is a multi-season space documentary for kids of older ages. Adults will also enjoy this series, so this show will hold all your attention if you have teens interested in astronomy.

The inner workings of the cosmos come to life with clearly understandable explanations from some of the top names in astronomy. And Mike Rowe narrates in a relatable way that keeps you engaged.

In addition, the visuals are stunning. And it’ll make you wish for the newest TV available so that you can see every minute detail!

A StoryBots Space Adventure

This twelve-minute short space documentary for kids is so fun you’ll forget you’re a grown-up! But don’t blame us if you start singing the catchy tunes about blasting into space. Young kids learn how spaceships come together through a mix of animation, live-action, and song.

This short instills a sense of adventure into kids to learn about STEM topics so they can go up into space, too. It even covers how to sleep, what to eat, and how to poop in space. And it all happens in true StoryBots entertaining fashion.

The Magic School Bus Gets Lost in Space

Adults may remember the 1994-97 Magic School Bus animated television series. While not entirely a space documentary for kids, The Magic School Bus combines educational content with entertainment. A teacher and her class take the bus on virtual field trips. Scholastic’s series follows the book series of the same name to take kids on adventures.

The Magic School bus transforms into a spaceship to take Ms. Frizzle and her class to space.

The show makes it fun to learn about the planets through their adventures and “dad jokes.” For example, one child asks, “If the ones that hit the planets are called “meteor-rights,” what do you call the ones that missed?” And the answer is “meteor wrongs,” get it?

The Lost in Space episode teaches kids and entertains adults. And that’s a win in our book.

The Mars Generation

If you have older kids interested in becoming engineers or astronauts, The Mars Generation tells the inspiring story of teens at Space Camp. This space documentary for kids follows a group of teenagers training at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center.

The show captures their excitement and enthusiasm as the young people strive to lead a future journey to Mars. And it’s easy to believe that they can make it happen! STEM students will love this documentary, so you better start saving money for Space Camp.

Best Space Documentaries for Kids: Final Thoughts

Whether your young astronomer dreams of traversing distant galaxies, discovering new planets, or unraveling the mysteries of our universe, space documentaries provide a perfect launching pad for their cosmic adventures. They stimulate the imagination, nurture a love for science, and ignite a passion for discovery that can last a lifetime.

Check out our top space documentaries here!