Looking for gifts or stocking fillers for kids this Christmas? The Science Museum have a fantastic range of space inspired gifts for younger cosmonauts, in association with the fantastic new blockbuster exhibition Cosmonauts: Birth of the Space Age which is open now until March 2016. Inspired by Russia’s entry to the Space Race in the 1950s and 1960s, the range tells the stories of the first dogs to space and gives kids an educational but enjoyable introduction to space history.
Please see below for a selection of kids books and toys, with more available at the Science Museum Shop
Laika cuddly toy dog
Description : Add space-themed cuddles for bedtime with the Laika Cuddly Toy Dog, a 25 cm tall plush Laika dog. Laika, meaning ‘Barker’ in Russian, was a placid mongrel dog that was plucked from obscurity to become an icon of the space age. She was launched into space on Sputnik-2 in 1957, a mission hastily conceived as Khrushchev urged Soviet Russia towards another space spectacular. Laika’s role was truly pioneering, the first animal to orbit the Earth, paving the way for human spaceflight.
Follow link to purchase : Price: £15 : Laika Cuddly Toy
See Inside Space Book
Description: A flap book of astronomical proportions, the hardback See Inside Space book is packed with facts and information about the stars, planets and the universe. Fabulous double-page topics show our solar system, the Milky Way, how scientists think the universe was created and the latest space travel technology.
Follow link to purchase : Price: £9.99 : See Inside Space Book
Laika the Astronaut book
Description: Learn about Laika, the first dog in space, with the enchanting hardback Laika the Astronaut book. Laika is a homeless stray living on the streets of Moscow when she is picked by the Space Programme to be the first ever animal launched into orbit! But her rocket disappears and everyone thinks Laika is lost forever – no one knows what happened to her. Now you’ll discover in Owen Davey’s imaginative story that Laika was rescued by a loving new owner and found her true home on a planet far, far away.
Follow link to purchase : Price: £12.99 : Laika the astronaut book
Belka enamel badge
Description: Show your love of dogs and/or space with this original high-quality Belka Enamel Badge, honouring the dogs that were sent into space on Soviet missions in the early days of space travel. The enamel brooch measures 4.5 cm x 4.5 cm Designed exclusively for the Science Museum’s Cosmonauts exhibition.
Follow link to purchase : Price: £7 : Belka enamel badge
The Little Red Engine and the Rocket book
Description: In the Little Red Engine and the Rocket book, the Little Red Engine is very busy and excited. It’s carrying everyone backwards and forwards to the rocket site each day until it’s built. When the Big Red Rocket finally blasts off, it’s carrying the very first space passengers – who are they?
Follow link to purchase : Price: £4.99 : Little Red Engine and Rocket book