Out of This World Creativity Activity: Mooz Diner

Colorful illustration featuring UFOs in a night sky with the text "Planet Mooz Diner" and "Creativity Activity." A creativity badge with a light bulb icon is present, promoting youth entrepreneurship education.

VentureLab is your go-to partner for embedding entrepreneurial learning into any classroom or after-school program.

Through our educator training and comprehensive resource library, we empower educators to teach VentureLab Mindsets, including creativity, adaptability, collaboration, empathy, risk-taking, and a growth mindset. (See the full list here.)

These mindsets are part of our ESTEAM® framework (Entrepreneurship, Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math). 

Try this no-cost activity from our resource library to teach creativity and curiosity while fueling a lifelong entrepreneurial spirit!

Mooz Diner Activity

Focus

Creativity Mindset & ESTEAM® Integration

On Planet Mooz, aspiring entrepreneurs must design a diner menu for alien customers whose tastes defy Earthly norms. This hands-on challenge pushes students to apply Creative Thinking, test hypotheses, and prototype bold ideas—just like real ESTEAM® innovators.

Yellow badge with a lightbulb and exclamation mark inside, labeled "Creativity." Perfect for Girl Scouts, this Creativity badge sparks youth entrepreneurship, encouraging imaginative young minds to innovate.

Materials

  • “Letter from Planet Mooz” (download below)
  • Blank Menu Template (download below)
  • Construction paper or cardstock, scissors, glue/tape, markers, crayons
  • Optional 3D supplies: clay, cardboard tubes, popsicle sticks, recycled containers

Preparation

  1. Familiarize yourself with the full activity and handouts.
  2. Print one “Letter from Planet Mooz” and menu template per group. Folding menus in half creates a double-sided booklet.
  3. Gather art supplies and any 3D prototyping materials.
  4. Plan grouping strategies to foster Collaboration and Adaptability (see our grouping ideas resource).

Instructions

  1. Launch the Mission
    Announce an urgent transmission from Planet Mooz. Read the letter dramatically to spark excitement and frame the entrepreneurial challenge.
  2. Define the Entrepreneurial Brief
    Explain that teams must design and name a diner that caters exclusively to Moozians—aliens whose dietary needs demand radical innovation. Emphasize the importance of Risk-Taking: no Earth-based dishes are allowed.
  3. ESTEAM® Connection
    Encourage students to consider how Science (nutrition), Technology (presentation), Engineering (structure), Arts (design), and Math (pricing) all intersect in crafting a viable menu.
  4. Set Requirements
    Each menu must feature at least 8 unique items:
         2 Drinks
         2 Starters
         2 Main Courses
         2 Desserts
  5. Teams assign creative names, prices, and sketches or 3D prototypes.
  6. Brainstorm & Sketch (15 minutes)
    Distribute the blank templates. Circulate to coach on Creativity, Growth Mindset, and Iteration—key VentureLab Mindsets and Skills.
  7. Prototype & Build (15 minutes)
    Transition to building 2D or 3D models of signature dishes. Remind teams that Resilience means embracing “failed” prototypes as learning opportunities.
  8. Pitch & Share
    Each group presents their diner concept, showcases prototypes, and reflects on which mindsets they leaned on most. Celebrate inventive solutions and cross-disciplinary thinking.

Post-Activity Discussion

Use these prompts to deepen reflection and cement learning:

  • Creativity & Adaptability: How did you team pivot when an idea didn’t work?
  • Collaboration: What strategies helped you merge different perspectives?
  • Resilience: Which prototype “failure” taught you the most?
  • Risk-Taking: Which bold idea were you most nervous to try?
  • ESTEAM® Integration: How did Science, Tech, Engineering, Arts, and Math each play a role in your diner design?

Curious how VentureLab can spark entrepreneurial thinking in your classroom or program? Schedule a call with Scott Mann, our Director of Education, and let’s explore what’s possible together.

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Originally published 2/2/2022. Updated/Reposted 7/02/2025

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