The actors performing as the Martians were virtually blind when the Martian heads were in place, so they had to be talked through their actions.
Ariana Richards's character Kathy introduces her three 'cousins' as "Clutch," "Spinner," and "Paddlefoot." These are the names of the main characters of the cult classic cartoon Clutch Cargo (1959).
Many of the special effects shots were completed using in-camera effects, meaning that they were created by using techniques in and on the camera and/or its parts.
Near the beginning of the film, Giggywig remarks, "What in the name of Uncle Martin is that?". Uncle Martin was the name of Ray Walston's character in My Favorite Martian (1963).