Top Astronomy Games and Star Projectors (for Adults + Kids)

Calling all space exploration enthusiasts! No matter your age, you’re never too old for astronomy games and star projectors.

Everyone’s sense of wonder is at its best on the topic of outer space. This is just another reason we love astronomy games and projectors – and adults love them as much as kids.

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Astronomy Games Overview 

We absolutely love space. Whether we are visiting the Space Coast, exploring Kennedy Space Center, reading about some Space X launch from home, or looking up interesting facts about the cosmos, we can't resist all things “space.”

From board games to video games, LEGO models, and projectors, celebrate your love of all things outer space with these space travel game suggestions. These would also make great gifts for any space-obsessed friends and family.

Our recommendations include top-rated astronomy games and models to fit every budget. Our suggestions are a fun way to socialize with others so you can share your love for the subject of astronomy or those who’d prefer to enjoy games alone.

It’s time to grab your space suit (or favorite space attire), head to the launch pad, and prepare for a whole lot of deep space fun.

Many of these games are available on Amazon.

📦 If you're not already a member of Amazon Prime, we highly recommend it! Here's a link for a FREE 30-day Amazon Prime trial, where you can enjoy free shipping, free Kindle books, special discounts on products, and more.

🕐 Short on time? No Problem!
Top astronomy games for adults and kids, including star projectors, with a neon and star photo behind it.

🪐 Astronomy Games: Board and Box Games

Take board games to a whole new level as you leave planet Earth to head beyond the milky way! Each astronomy game below offers a different journey through space that you can repeatedly play.

★ Keymaster Games Space Park

👾 Game Details

  • Players: 1-4 players (you can play solo)
  • Ages: Ages 14+
  • Game time: 30-minutes

How about exploring National Parks in space? You can with this game!

The colorful cards and cute space rocket board pieces add to the intrigue of this highly-rated game, where the mission is to get to 20 exploration points by exploring seven locations where players perform actions to earn badges.

Pros
  • Easy to learn how to play, with video or booklet instructions
  • Short play time
  • Beautiful artwork
Cons
  • Short play time
➤ Buy the Game

★ The Crew – Quest for Planet Nine

👾 Game Details

  • Players: 3-5 players (though some reviews say you can play with just two people, it’s simply not as challenging with only two players)
  • Ages: Ages 10 and up
  • Game time: 20 minutes per round – you need several rounds to complete all the missions

If you’re familiar with the card games Hearts or Spades, this is similar to that with a space twist that will keep you in awe.

In this interactive game, you can pick your difficulty level as you travel across the solar system for 50 missions that you must complete together.

Communication is essential for “The Crew” to discover if Planet Nine exists – it’s not just about the game's end result (which is a card game with token pieces) but also how the hand is won.

Pros
  • Everyone is on the same team, so if you don’t like being competitive, this is a great game for you
  • Game can be paused easily and continued later
Cons
  • Minimum of three players
  • Lots of pieces (not great if you have toddlers around)
➤ Buy the Game

★ The Search for Planet X

👾 Game Details

  • Players: 1-4 players (yes, you can play solo!) 
  • Ages: Players 13+
  • Game time: 60-75 minutes
  • Additional items needed to play: The Search For Planet X app (free)

Do you have what it takes to find Planet X? In this game, you’ll become an astronomer using scientific observations through a star system and logical deductions to find the location of the elusive Planet X. 

The location of Planet X changes each gameplay, so you can play over and over. Players use an app in conjunction with the board game to bring play to a new level. This original game provides a great brain workout. 

Pros
  • High replayability rate
  • Can play solo
  • Can be played with others over video call
Cons
  • Steep learning curve
  • Not very interactive
➤ Buy the Game

★ CATAN Starfarers

👾 Game Details

  • Players: 3-4 players
  • Ages: ages 14+
  • Game time: 2 hours 
  • Additional items needed: to play with six players, you’ll need an extension pack

Taking the Settlers of CATAN to a whole new galaxy adventure, this strategy game will have you exploring distant planets and new worlds in search of resources. 

You’ll meet aliens, merchants, and pirates, all while building a space empire to earn the title of Ambassador to the Galactic Council (sounds so Star Trek, right?). 

Pros
  • High replayability rate
  • High strategy and tactical game
  • can be played with others over video call
Cons
  • Learning curve is challenging
  • Lengthy play time if you don't have two hours
➤ Buy the Game

★ Battleship Outer Space

👾 Game Details

  • Players: Maximum 2 players
  • Ages: Ages 7+
  • Game time: Approximately 30 minutes per game

Did you love Battleship as a kid? Well, this is a twist on one of the most classic games, bringing Battleship to space!

Instead of sinking ships, you vaporize them. The game is played across three sectors or levels, and the rules are slightly different but easy to learn.

Pros
  • Easy to learn
  • Competitive fun
Cons
  • Manufacturers should include more pegs, according to reviews
  • You have to apply stickers for the graphics (one time only)
➤ Buy the Game

🪐 Video Astronomy Games

Space video games are awesome and even more impressive when they are based on scientific calculations. Enter a black hole of fun as you play online games while saving a civilization, creating your own space place, or sending an astronaut into the galaxy. Try out one of the best space games for video gamers.

★ Kerbal Space Program

👾 Game Details

  • Players: Single player
  • Platform: PC, XBox, PS4, PS5, Steam
  • Rated: Everyone

Based on real physics, this is the best game to understand what it means to be an astrophysicist. Your goal: get your Kerbal to space (and back again if you wish). 

There are three modes to play: science mode, career mode, and sandbox mode, where you can recreate real-world rockets and spacecraft. Perfect for teenagers and adults obsessed with rocket science, Kerbal is available for under $60.

Pros
  • Physics are as realistic as it gets on a computer
  • Perfectly challenging
Cons
  • Takes time to learn/understand the science
➤ Buy the Game

★ Universe Sandbox

Create and even destroy your own universe using the powerful physics engine. Get up close to the cosmos and see how planets form, and supernovas explode. 

Developers, artists, and scientists (yes, scientists!) work on this physics-based simulation game.  

Have a great time exploring the cosmos and get to know space science as you create and destroy on an impressive scale. Universe Sandbox is a solar system game that merges real-time gravity, climate, collision, and physical interactions in an endless universe to showcase the beauty and fragility of our environments. 

For just under $30 you get to understand how a universe is created…and destroyed. And the best part is that if you don’t like it and you bought it from Steam, you can request a refund within 14 days. 

👾 Game Details

  • Players: Single player
  • Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux/SteamOS, HTC Vive, Oculus Rift+Touch, and Windows Mixed Reality
Pros
  • VR compatible
  • Freedom to create and destroy
Cons
  • No progression or goals to achieve
  • No strategy involved
➤ Buy the Game

★ The Outer Worlds 

👾 Game Details

  • Players: Single player
  • Platform: PS4
  • Rated: Mature

This player-driven story involves you waking from a decades-long sleep into a colony at the furthest edges of the galaxy. You must stop the colony, Halcyon, from being destroyed. 

You’ll explore the furthest reaches of space and meet alien forces. Every choice you make will set a new path for your storyline. This adventure provides hours of fun for a minimal cost.

Pros
  • Many possible outcomes
  • Solid RPG
  • Rewarding character progression
Cons
  • PS4 only
➤ Buy the Game

🪐 Astronomy LEGO and Bricks

Looking to assemble your own space-related displays? Check out these LEGO models to build and collect something that you can be proud of creating.

NASA Space Shuttle Discovery

👾 LEGO Details

  • Pieces: 2,354
  • Ages: Made for adults
  • Dimensions: 22.91 x 18.9 x 3.58 inches
  • Weight: 8.28 pounds
  • Price: Less than $200

This 2-in-1 LEGO NASA Space Shuttle Discovery has 2,354 pieces and is specifically made for adults. This set includes the Space Shuttle Discovery and the Hubble Space Telescope from NASA’s 1990 STS-31 mission.

The shuttle is maneuverable, including the payload, elevons, and robotic arm. The cockpit even opens to show the cockpit area. Your quality LEGO Space Shuttle model will stand the test of time.

Pros
  • Very high quality
  • Great display piece
  • Clear instructions
Cons
  • Have to put stickers on
  • Balance stand and base have been reviewed as too small
➤ Buy the Kit

★ NASA Apollo Saturn V Lego (The Apollo 11)

👾 LEGO Details

  • Pieces: 1,969
  • Ages: 14+
  • Dimensions: 14.88 x 18.9 x 4.41 inches
  • Weight: 6.59 pounds
  • Price: Around $200

Build the rocket ships that took humans to the moon! This kit includes three removable rocket stages, a command and service module, and two minifigures. The finished rocket can be displayed in three different positions. 

Fun fact: Apollo 11 was launched in 1969, which is why it has that many pieces.

Pros
  • Comes with three bases
  • Enjoyable and realistic build
Cons
  • Modules don’t stay together well
➤ Buy the Set

★ Star Wars LEGO Sets 

👾 LEGO Details

  • Ages: Recommended for adults
  • Price: Ranges depending on the set, from $55-$900

Are you a Star Wars fan or know one? Star Wars LEGO sets are designed for adults to showcase their passion for the films and series.

Some of the sets are collectibles with rare editions and some are easier to find – there are sets for every budget and skill level.

Choose from LEGO sets like the Millennium Falcon starship, Captain Rex Helmut, Luke Skywalker Helmut and more.

Pros
  • Very detailed
  • Clear instructions
  • Some are collectibles
  • Hours of fun
Cons
  • Some models lack structural integrity
➤ Buy the Sets

🪐 Astronomy Projectors

Astronomy projectors can add ambiance to any room, perfect for entertaining, gaming rooms, or to help you relax. Let your imagination fly while you sit under the stars!

★ BlissLights Sky Lite – LED Laser Star Projector

👾 Astronomy Light Details

  • Dimensions: 2.91D x 5.95W x 5.95H inches
  • Power: 100-240V
  • Cost: Around $60

This magical and mesmerizing Sky Lite will transform any room into outer space. Experience a nebula in various colors, or sleep under a blanket of stars.

It’s easy to control, adjust its brightness, and can automatically rotate through the various settings. The Sky Lite costs less than $60, perfect for a gaming room or bedroom. 

Pros
  • 6-hour timer
  • Projects 30×30 ft
Cons
  • Cord is only 5 ft long
  • Only available in white
➤ Buy the Sky Lite and See Stars!

★ Astronaut Starry Nebula Ceiling

Astronaut light projector

👾 Astronomy Light Details

  • Dimensions: 4D x 4.7W x 8.8H inches
  • Power: USB powered
  • Cost: Around $50

This 2-in-1 space projector comes inside an awesome astronaut. For under $50 you’ll get eight nebula effects and twinkling green stars.

Use the remote to control brightness and speed and customize the pattern you’d like. Set a timer and fall asleep under the night sky.

Pros
  • Portable and rechargeable
  • Bluetooth compatible
Cons
  • Nebula projection is not incredibly large
  • Only available in white
➤ Buy the Astronaut Projector

★ LitEnergy LED Sky Projector Light

👾 Astronomy Light Details

  • Dimensions: 6.3 x 5.91 x 2.36 inches
  • Power: USB powered
  • Voltage: DC 5V
  • Cost: Less than $45

Choose between projecting one of three scenes or all three at once: 1) an amazing nebula, 2) stars, 3) a full moon.

There are also seven different colors and nine lighting modes. Brightness is adjustable, and everything can be controlled via remote control.

Pros
  • Mature design
  • Portable and rechargeable
  • Portable and cordless
  • Available in multiple colors
Cons
  • Stars fade in and out
  • Charge lasts 3 hours
➤ Buy the Projector

Conclusion

There are endless hours of fun to be had with astronomy games, from board games and card games to video games and LEGO sets. And to top it all off you can add to the fun with star and light galaxy projectors.

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