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Home | Unit Study | Space Unit Study for Kids Ages 4–7 | Knowledge Crates

Explore the Universe — Early Elementary Unit Study | Knowledge Crates

$124.99
$124.99
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EXPECTED SHIPPING DATE
December 4, 2026

When the stars come out at night, kids can’t help but look up and wonder what’s out there. Explore the Universe turns that curiosity into a hands-on journey through space, from the cratered Moon and the red dust of Mars all the way out to the Milky Way. This space unit study for early elementary learners builds science, math, literacy, fine motor skills and creativity through six books and 27 hands-on missions.

Meet Orbit, your child’s space buddy. Orbit is a plush space shuttle who has never left the launch pad, and he needs a crew for his very first trip. Each time your child finishes a book and all of its missions, they earn a badge on their 11x17 My Space Explorer Log. Collect all six to become an Official Space Explorer!

What your explorer will do:

  • Read and talk: Six Ready-to-Read Our Universe books, each with Orbit’s questions, Space Words with movements, and a QR code video, from the Apollo 11 Moon landing to the Northern Lights.
  • Create: Clay Moon, Earth and Sun brought together in a Final Space Project, plus salt painting, Mixed Media Night Sky, Color Diffusing Planets and a plaster Create Your Own Planet.
  • Investigate: Track the Moon each night, build a Moon Phase Explorer, squish Earth Oobleck, shake a Galaxy Orb, and make Glow in the Dark Constellations.
  • Count and play: The Rocket Race board game returns four times for counting, comparing and tens and ones, and the Planet Walk turns a roll of toilet paper into a 30-foot solar system.
  • Move and practice: Printing Practice mats and Orbit’s Cosmic Recharge brain break mat for anytime use.

Easy for you. Everything is planned and packed, so there is no lesson planning and no supply runs. A 4-week plan with page numbers keeps things simple, but it’s flexible on purpose. Move faster, slow down, or linger on the missions your child loves most. There is no wrong way to explore the universe with Orbit!

Additional Information: Items may vary based on availability. This unit study crate contains products not manufactured by the seller. Some items may not be suitable for children under 3 years. Crate contents are not for consumption.

🎯 What's Included in your Crate:

  • Meet Orbit: Plush Space Shuttle & Welcome Letter
  • My Space Explorer Log (11x17 Poster) & Badge Stickers
  • Orbit’s Clay Moon
  • Orbit’s Moon Journal
  • Orbit’s Moon Phase Explorer
  • Orbit’s Mars Sensory Play
  • Rocket Race Number Sense Board Game
  • Orbit’s Earth Oobleck
  • Orbit’s View from the Moon Salt Art
  • Orbit’s Clay Earth
  • Orbit’s Mixed Media Night Sky
  • Orbit’s Galaxy Orb
  • Orbit’s Glow in the Dark Constellations
  • Orbit’s Color Diffusing Planets
  • Orbit’s Scissor Practice
  • Orbit’s Planet Walk
  • Orbit’s Create Your Own Planet
  • Orbit’s Clay Sun
  • Orbit’s Final Space Project
  • Orbit’s Printing Practice Mats
  • Orbit’s Cosmic Recharge Brain Break

Also Included: Step-by-step activity guide with discussion questions for every mission, a 4-week plan, and QR code video missions for every book

Books Included with Your Crate:

  • Ready-to-Read Our Universe Box Set by Marion Dane Bauer: Moon, Mars, Earth, The Night Sky, The Milky Way and The Solar System

🎯 WHO IS THIS UNIT STUDY PERFECT FOR?

  • Early elementary learners, ages 4–7, who are always asking big questions about the Moon, the stars and what’s out there
  • Homeschooling families who want a space unit that’s already planned. Just open the crate and start.
  • Parents who want everything included, so there is no lesson planning and no supply runs
  • Homeschoolers, afterschoolers and winter learning families looking for enrichment that feels fun but still counts as real learning
  • Kids who love goals they can see. Earning a badge for each book keeps them excited to finish.
  • Siblings learning together, when you pair it with the Companion Crate

Processing & Shipping Times: We work hard to get your orders out the door as quickly as possible! While we strive to ship in-stock orders the same day, please allow up to three business days for processing. Some products may be temporarily out of stock while we're restocking supplies, or may be part of a scheduled seasonal release. When a product has a future shipping date, you'll find it displayed near the Add to Cart button before placing your order.

  • If your order includes both in-stock items and items awaiting restock or a scheduled release, we'll ship the in-stock items separately rather than hold your entire order.

Shipping Methods & Tracking

  • We ship orders via UPS and USPS, with shipping costs calculated at checkout based on your location.
  • Once your order ships, you'll receive a shipping confirmation email with tracking information so you can follow your package's journey.

Delivery Issues

  • Although we carefully prepare and ship every order, we know things don't always go as planned once a package is in transit. If you have a concern about your shipment, please contact us and we'll do our best to help.
  • If your tracking information shows that your package was delivered but you haven't received it, please contact the shipping carrier for further assistance. If your package is lost, damaged, or stolen, reach out to us so we can help you understand the next steps.

Where We Ship

  • We currently ship within the United States only.
  • Thank you for supporting Knowledge Crates! We're a small business run by real people, and we appreciate the opportunity to be part of your family's learning adventures.

🎯 Educational Benefits:

Common Core Connections

English Language Arts (K–1):

  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.K.1 / RI.1.1: Ask and answer questions about key details in a text (Pre-Launch, In Flight and Mission Debrief questions for all six books)
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.K.4 / RI.1.4: Ask and answer questions about unknown words in a text (Orbit’s Space Words with movements)
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.K.1.A / L.1.1.A: Print upper- and lowercase letters (Printing Practice Mats)
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.1 / SL.1.1: Take part in conversations with adults about topics and texts (Orbit’s Questions in every mission)

Mathematics (K–1):

  • CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.CC.A.1: Count to 100 by ones and by tens (Rocket Race to Mars, Rocket Race Around Earth)
  • CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.CC.A.2 / 1.NBT.A.1: Count forward from a given number (Planet Walk, counting on from planet to planet)
  • CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.K.CC.C.7 / 1.NBT.B.3: Compare numbers (Night Sky Rocket Race)
  • CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.1.NBT.B.2: Understand that two-digit numbers are made of tens and ones (Solar System Rocket Race)

National Core Arts Standards (Visual Arts)

Creating:

  • VA:Cr1.1.Ka / VA:Cr1.1.1a: Use imagination to create art (Mixed Media Night Sky, Create Your Own Planet, Final Space Project)
  • VA:Cr2.1.Ka / VA:Cr2.1.1a: Explore art materials and tools safely (air-dry clay, plaster cloth, watercolor, salt painting, pipettes)
  • VA:Cr3.1.Ka / VA:Cr3.1.1a: Explain choices made in creating artwork (Orbit’s Questions after each art mission)

STEM Standards (NGSS aligned)

  • 1-ESS1-1: Use observations of the sun, moon and stars to describe patterns that can be predicted (Moon Journal, Moon Phase Explorer)
  • 2-PS1-1: Describe and classify materials by their observable properties (Earth Oobleck, Galaxy Orb, plaster cloth)
  • K-ESS3-3: Share ways people can reduce their impact on the land, water and air (Clay Earth “Take Care of Our Home” extension)
  • Developing and Using Models: Build models to explain how things work (Planet Walk, Moon Phase Explorer)

Social-Emotional Learning Standards (CASEL aligned)

  • Self-Management: Setting goals and following through (earning a badge for each book and its missions)
  • Self-Awareness: Building confidence by completing challenges (becoming an Official Space Explorer)
  • Relationship Skills: Taking turns and playing fairly (Rocket Race game with family)
  • Social Awareness: Caring for others and our planet (Take Care of Our Home extension)

Explore the Universe — Early...

$124.99
$124.99
Sold Out