Best Galactic Toys Guide

• About
• Latest Posts

Jodie Chiffey

If there is a more multifaceted writer and all around great person, we are yet to find them! Jodie is a talented writer, loves the outdoors, absorbs tech content like a sponge, and above all, she loves keeping up with the latest toys of the era. While obviously championing her favorite toys from her own era.

Latest posts by Jodie Chiffey (see all)

• The Best 1970s Toys Guide: A Walk Down Memory Lane - January 25, 2023
• Best Retro 1980s Toys Guide: Find Out Where to Buy Them Today! - January 25, 2023
• Best Vintage 1960s Toys – Check out some of the coolest toys from the past - January 24, 2023

Do you have a budding astronaut in your family or friendship circle? If so, then my best galactic toys guide should help you to find the perfect present for the space-loving person in your life.

According to a study conducted by LEGO, 86% of children say that they are interested in space exploration, and a whopping 90% want to learn more about it. In my galactic toy guide, there are certainly a few educational products for you to muse.

Before we get to my galactic toys recommendations, I’ll first discuss the benefits of this type of toy and some pointers to ensure you choose the right toy for the right person. However, if you’re in a rush, you’ll find a brief overview of this article below.

My Bottom Line Up Front: I love how awesome the 3D Glow-in-the-Dark Solar System Mobile Making Kit looks when completed. It’s also a really cool project to help your kids make. If you’re looking for a universal galactic gift that certainly won’t break the bank, the Space Top Trumps is a solid choice.

At a Glance My 12 Best Galactic Toys

• Best Galactic Home Project: 3D Glow-in-the-Dark Solar System Mobile Kit – #1 Top Pick
• Best Galactic Interactive Fun: Space Top Trumps – #1 Top Budget Pick
• Best Galactic Play Set: Astro Venture Space Shuttle Toy
• Best Galactic Toy for Younger Children: Space Shuttle Toy with 2 Astronauts
• Best Galactic Toy for Older Children: Professor Maxwell’s VR Universe
• Best Galactic Arts and Crafts: jackinthebox Space Educational Stem Toy
• Best Stress Relief: Solar System Stress Balls
• Best Galactic Telescope: Gskyer Telescope
• Best Galactic LEGO Set: Space Shuttle Toy Building Kit
• Best Galactic Costume: Astronaut NASA Pilot Costume with Movable Visor Helmet
• Best Galactic Jigsaw Puzzle: Solar System – 300 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle
• Best Galactic Soother: Smart Galaxy Projector

Choosing the Right Galactic Toy

There are thousands of galactic toys and products, which makes this shopping venture a challenging one. But, my galactic toys guide should help make this search a little easier. Using my experience as a Mom and veteran present-buyer, here are my tips for finding that perfect present:

Age

Age-appropriate toys mean toys suitable for a specific age group, but this is often nothing more than a guideline. There are many children whose developmental age doesn’t match their biological one, and this is important to consider to ensure inclusivity.

However, if you’re looking for a toy for a 3-year old, your search criteria will probably be very different from if you were looking to buy a gift for a 12-year old. Galactic toys for 3-year olds will likely be very basic compared to the more complex galactic toys aimed at 12-and-over.

If you’re unsure of the child’s capabilities, it is always wise to ask the parent (if this isn’t you) for ideas – this is really the best way to get it right.

Interest

As touched upon above, a child doesn’t have to already be interested in space to enjoy galactic toys. Galactic toys can encourage any child to want to be part of the next generation of astronauts, astronomers, and astrophysicists.

But, you can ensure your gift is better received initially if you buy a toy that will cater to a child’s interest. For example, if they’re a fan of LEGO, look in this category. Or, if the child loves to build and be creative, you’re sure to find something galactic to suit.

Selection Criteria

Before you read my full reviews, I think it is important for you to know how I got to these galactic toys and what I was looking for when choosing. So, here we go!

Budget

I wanted to ensure that every reader could find an affordable galactic toy in my guide, so I have looked at various price points, from the budget-friendly to the high-end, and rounded up my favorite items within this large spectrum.

Quality

How disappointing is it to buy a toy only to hear it has broken or is no longer working days later? To avoid this, it is essential to purchase high-quality toys. This means toys that are well made using top-quality materials. If I couldn’t suss out how the toy was made, or what with, I stopped my research right there.

I believe every galactic toy in this guide to be durable, robust, and has good longevity.

Variety

Spaceships, aliens, telescopes, arts and crafts, jigsaw puzzles, and nighttime projectors can all be found in my galactic guide! The more variety, the better, I thought. And this way, you’re sure to get some great ideas of the various galactic toys and products that are out there today.

Consumer Feedback

To ensure that you don’t have just my opinion to go on, I have only included galactic toys and products that have plenty of positive, accessible reviews.

My 12 Best Galactic Toys

#1 3D Glow-in-the-Dark Solar System Mobile Kit – #1 Top Pick

Although my top pick, I have to admit that building the 3D Glow-in-the-Dark Solar System Mobile Kit takes time and much patience. But, once it is finished, it is totally worth it! The manufacturer recommended age is 8-15-years, yet children under 8-years would be more than capable of completing this with some help.

I found it simple to put the planets together and hang them on the provided string. There is more than enough paint, and the instructions are easy to follow. I was a little disappointed with the glow-in-the-dark aspect – it’s not mind-blowing, but it is evident. Overall, this is a great galactic toy buy that offers plenty of bonding and education opportunities with a little one.

Pros

• Great Foundation for Bonding
• Easy to Assemble
• Good Value for Money
• Looks Great When Finished

Cons

• Glow-in-the-Dark Not So ‘Out There!’

#2 Space Top Trumps – #1 Top Budget Pick

With Space Top Trumps, kids can learn interesting facts about space while having some competitive fun with friends. With the same rules as any top trump card set, the player who ends up with no cards is the loser, and the one who ends up with all the cards wins!

This is a super-easy game, suitable for any child who can read and has the patience and ability to play a turn-taking game. I love the imagery of the cards and the handy hard-plastic carry case that enables safe portability.

Pros

• Fun Space Facts
• Easy to Play
• Great Group Game
• Included Carry Case

Cons

• Fairly Basic

#3 Astro Venture Space Shuttle Toy

I’m hugely impressed with the Astro Venture Space Shuttle Toy, and so are thousands of other consumers! This is a perfect toy for young children who have a love of space. It’s noisy, it lights up, you can fiddle with doors and the cockpit, and there’s a little astronaut figure too (which fits perfectly inside).

The shuttle comes with batteries (a huge bonus), which last a long time. I found the sounds realistic and love all the added features, such as the rolling wheel lights. Although not made in the US, this toy has been thoroughly tested and meets US toys regulations.

Pros

• Realistic Sounds and Lights
• Included Astronaut Figure
• Good Fun
• Batteries Included
• Excellent Price

Cons

• Some Parts are Pretty Fragile
• Not Made in the US

#4 Space Shuttle Toy with 2 Astronauts

The durability of the Space Shuttle Toy with 2 Astronauts is perfect for any boisterous youngster – it is so well built, I am confident it’ll last a long time. This shuttle is similar to #3, except there’s an additional astronaut figure and a Rover. Batteries aren’t included with this set, but it takes standard AAA’s to enable light and sound effects – which are great!

I like the smooth rounded corners for safety and the ability to open three compartments at the touch of a button (satellite dish, solar panel, and controller). An excellent buy for younger budding astronauts!

Pros

• Excellent Construction
• Durable and Robust
• Safe, Round Edges
• Light and Sound Effects
• X2 Astronaut Figures
• Rover Included

Cons

• Batteries Not Included

#5 Professor Maxwell’s VR Universe

What better way to explore space than to truly explore space! That’s precisely what you can do with Professor Maxwell’s VR Universe – and for a remarkable price, considering what you get in the box. There’s an 80-page interactive book to help children explore the true wonders that space offers. There are also various games, puzzles and crafts included.

The box comes with VR goggles to enhance the galactic learning experience, and it is compatible with all smartphones (that can access Apple iOS app store or Google Play). I can think of no easier way to see the planets in orbit, walk on the moon and go on several other cool adventures!

Pros

• Interactive
• Educational
• Incredible Fun!

Cons

• Must-Have a Smartphone – Not Compatible With Tablets or PC

#6 jackinthebox Space Educational Stem Toy

If value for money and home projects are your thing, I urge you to consider the jackinthebox Space Educational Stem Toy. There are six super fun, hands-on space-themed activities to make with your little one or for them to make independently, including; a solar system mobile, kaleidoscope, and a rocket science experiment.

There’s a 100% money-back guarantee within 30-days, so if you’re not impressed with this space box kit, simply let them know!

Pros

• Great Arts and Crafts Bundle Set
• Real Sense of Accomplishment
• Easy to Operate
• Good Value for Money

Cons

• The Quality of Some of the Activities Could be Better (cardboard and paper, etc.)
• Oreo (or similar) Cookies Needed to Be Purchased for an Experiment

#7 Solar System Stress Balls

Help children discover more about the solar system with these super squishy and ultra bouncy Solar System Stress Balls. You’ll find the Sun, Our Moon, Earth, and the rest of the planets in this 10-piece set. The foam balls go perfectly back into their original shape after being squeezed and come with a handy mesh bag for storage.

Pros

• Super Durable
• Great Detail
• Comfortable
• Included Storage Bag

Cons

• Quite Expensive

#8 Gskyer Telescope

There are so many telescopes to buy, but what I liked most about the Gskyer Telescope is the ease of setup and operation – just perfect for kids and beginners. This telescope is top-rated online and a best-seller, and it’s easy to see why.

The optical capabilities and visual resolution are excellent. There’s great portability and convenient accessories included. I like how compact this is when not in use, making storage simple, and the price is more than fair. Super impressed with this!

Pros

• 2-Year Warranty
• Wireless Remote; Smartphone Adapter
• Adjustable Tripod
• High Quality
• Great Affordability
• Easy to Use
• Simple Set up

Cons

• A Few Negative Reviews About the Company

#9 Space Shuttle Toy Building Kit

If like many others, you have seen LEGO space shuttle kits retailing elsewhere for hundreds of dollars, then you may be pleased with my finding of this Space Shuttle Toy Building Kit; retailing at under $40! The build time is much less than you may expect, given the 273 pieces! And it’s super fun!

Even very young children can get to grips with this, as the instructions are easy to follow with excellent visuals. The LEGO kit includes x2 miniature astronaut figures to play with once your shuttle is complete.

Pros

• Amazing Price
• Excellent Visual Instructions
• Superb Quality
• X2 Miniature Astronaut Figures Included

Cons

• Some Mentions of Damaged Packaging

#10 Astronaut NASA Pilot Costume with Movable Visor Helmet

With an embroidered NASA logo and USA flag, the Astronaut NASA Pilot Costume with Movable Visor Helmet really looks the part! A truly authentic-looking kids astronaut costume is available in most child-friendly sizes, from aged 3 to 14. I would suggest buying a size up, as it runs a little small.

There’s some assembly required for the helmet, but this feels super durable once built, and the movable visor is a great feature. One of the best astronaut customers I have come across, although this is reflected in the higher-than-most price.

Pros

• Embroidered Logos
• Most Children’s Sizes
• Movable Viser
• Realistic Costume

Cons

• Slightly Fiddly Helmet Assembly
• Sizes a Little Off – Order up!
• A Bit Pricey

#11 Solar System – 300 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle

The Solar System – 300 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle is a little tricky to complete, and in my view, it’s a challenging puzzle. But, once finished, it looks great. The planets aren’t to scale, and the star pieces look frustratingly similar. Still, Ravensburger is known for its high quality, and this is certainly apparent with the durability of the pieces.

If you have a child who loves spaces and puzzles, this is a perfect match.

Pros

• Fantastic Quality
• Excellent Price
• Looks Amazing When Done

Cons

• Challenging to Complete

#12 Smart Galaxy Projector

I have found nothing like the Smart Galaxy Projector to soothe my Autistic son at night time; it is a life-changing product (for me!). Yes, a little pricey, but the features are just incredible. You can activate the settings via voice control, and it works with Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Smart Life App.

There’s no background noise, allowing you to fully concentrate on the beautiful visuals, which are truly captivating. I have this on a timer at night, but you can also physically turn it on and off via the switch button. If you have a child in your life who struggles to settle at night or who could benefit from some down-time during the day, this product is well worth looking at.

Pros

• Voice Control
• Several Different Visual Options
• Timer
• No Noise
• FDA Certified

Cons

• Not Accurate Representation of the Night Sky

Frequently Asked Questions

Best Galactic Toys – My Verdict

I genuinely endorse all of the products in this guide, but I have a few favorites. I love the bonding opportunities provided with the 3D Glow-in-the-Dark Solar System Mobile Kit and how great this looks when completed. Similar can be said for the jackinthebox Space Educational Stem Toy, although a couple of experiments are a little flimsy.

I have genuinely found the Smart Galaxy Projector to be a game-changer for our bedtime routine. The Astronaut NASA Pilot Costume with Movable Visor Helmet is one of the best astronaut costumes I have come across. Although, both of these products are relatively pricey.

Both playsets were impressive, although I slightly favor the Space Shuttle Toy with 2 Astronauts over the Astro Venture Space Shuttle Toy, as you get a little more product for your money, and I prefer the smooth, rounded edges of the shuttle.

I hope you have found some inspiration in this guide or the perfect galactic gift for that special someone! Over and out!

Continue reading:

• Best Venom Toys Guide
• The Best Lion King Toys for Kids
• Best Space Jam Toys Guide for Otherworldly Playtimes