Ever wondered what it’s like to be an astronaut trying to do simple tasks in space? Spoiler alert: it’s not easy! My 3rd graders got a taste of the challenge today in a super fun, hands-on activity that had them cracking up, problem-solving, and gaining a whole new appreciation for spacewalks. Everything is used is all in this one doc linked in my subscriber freebies page.
This Astronaut Glove Challenge is perfect for classrooms, homeschoolers, or just a fun afternoon experiment at home. All you need are some winter gloves and a few everyday objects to transform kids into “astronauts” and test their space skills.
Why This Activity Works
NASA astronauts wear thick, pressurized gloves that make even simple tasks—like turning a bolt or picking up small objects—really tricky. By putting on winter gloves, kids get to experience just a tiny bit of that challenge while completing different tasks that require fine motor skills.
The Challenges We Tried
Each student put on their “astronaut gloves” (aka winter gloves) and rotated through different space challenges:
Threading a nut onto a bolt – Turns out, tightening a bolt is a lot harder when your fingers feel like marshmallows!
Completing a puzzle – Even a simple puzzle became a test of patience and precision.
Placing stickers on a designated line – Stickers went everywhere except where they were supposed to go.
Stacking cups – Seemed easy… until they had to do it without knocking everything over!
Threading beads on pipe cleaners and yarn – This was a big test of dexterity and focus.
Trying freeze-dried astronaut snacks – A very mixed reaction on this one! The Freetles (freeze-dried Skittles) and ice cream were a hit, but freeze-dried fruit? Not so much.
The Kids’ Reactions
They loved the challenge aspect of it—lots of giggles, frustrated groans, and “I can totally do this…oh wait, nope” moments. It was the perfect way to wrap up our astronomy unit with something interactive, memorable, and just plain fun.
This astronaut challenge was so much fun! 
We put our space skills to the test, and let’s just say… it was harder (and funnier) than we expected!
Try It Yourself!
This activity is a great way to mix STEM learning with hands-on play. Whether you’re a teacher, homeschooler, or just looking for a fun activity with the kids, this challenge is an easy and engaging way to get them thinking about the realities of space travel.
Want to try it out? I’ve put together printable slides with instructions, video links of real Spacewalks and astronaut gloves in action, printable sticker guide, and links to the exact items we used so you can easily recreate it. It’s all linked in this one document, grab yours on the subscriber freebies page, HERE!
And if you try it, let me know—did your kids love the astronaut snacks, or were they as skeptical about the freeze-dried fruit as mine? 
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