There is nothing more humbling than realizing you are a small part of a solar system that is part of a much larger galaxy. As adults, it can be a brain-bending thought. But for kids, it opens up a whole world of questions, ideas, and more questions!
The enormity of space can be difficult for children to grasp, so our solar system is a great starting point.
Solar System Projects for Kids
1. 3D Solar System
A solar system model can easily help children understand where Earth fits in. Spend some time looking at the planets in a book so you can paint the foam balls accurately. Once they are painted and decorated, cut the skewers into different lengths and insert them into the styrofoam cups. Then, glue the ‘sun’ to the top of the cups and glue the cups to the paper plate.
What You Need:
- Foam/polystyrene balls (different sizes for the different planets)
- Paint
- A book about planets
- 8 wooden skewers
- 2 styrofoam cups
- A black paper plate
- Hot glue gun
Age Variation: Older children can write labels and facts for each planet. They could even work out the distance between planets and cut the skewers to scale.
2. DIY Clay Planets
Tactile learning is a fantastic way to help children retain information. Making planets out of clay allows little fingers to shape and mold, which is great for finger strength. Using air-dry clay is a creative way for kids to learn about scientific concepts. Have a selection of books handy so they can look at the different colors and textures of the planets.
What You Need:
- Air-dry clay
- Solar system books
Age Variation: Older kids can make larger models and even do a cross-section showing the different layers of Earth.
3. Solar System Mobile
A mobile is a fun solar system project for kids. You can make them out of different materials, but to keep it simple, you can paint planets to hang on your mobile. Mobiles will look great hanging in a classroom or bedroom, and the kids will remember information better when they see it often. You can make a mobile from scratch or try a solar system mobile kit with cool features like a light-up sun.
What You Need:
Or
- Paper
- Scissors
- Paint
- String
Age Variation: Younger children can include cut-out stars, rockets, and astronauts on their mobile, while older kids can add solar system facts.
4. Solar System Pop-Up Project
This pop-up solar system is ideal for the child who left their project to the last minute. Kids can create an effective and educational project in minutes using only cardboard. You can customize the project by using different color paint or even glow-in-the-dark paint.
What You Need:
- Black cardboard
- Planet templates
- Tape
- Paint
- Scissors
- Glue
Age Variation: Younger children might find the cutting challenging, but they can decorate and cut out the planets and stick them on. Older kids can create a larger pop-up with added information.
Solar System Activity Ideas
5. Edible Constellations
This is an activity that kids of all ages can enjoy. Although not technically a solar system project, it’s hard to resist an educational snack! Not only will they be learning about the constellations in a tactile way, but it also doubles up as snack time.
What You Need:
- Constellation Cards
- Pretzel sticks
- Mini marshmallows
Age Variation: This activity can also work with toothpicks and fruit such as grapes and berries for a healthier option. Older kids could place their constellations on a large piece of paper according to their correct positions.
6. Space Scale
Kids of all ages will enjoy playing with toilet paper in this creative activity. Using 100 squares of toilet paper, you can create a scale model of the solar system. The children can then place the planets on the squares according to their distance from the sun.
What You Need:
- Toilet roll
- Printable planets
Age Variation: Older kids could work out the scale themselves and plot the planets onto a poster representing the solar system.
7. Planets Word Scramble
A word scramble is a fun and easy way to reinforce newly introduced terms. You can adapt it for any age and use it to supplement the hands-on activities.
What You Need:
- Free printable solar system word scramble worksheet
Age Variation: You can create word scrambles for older kids about the constellations or features of each planet.
8. Sensory Solar System Playdough
Sensory learning is vital for young kids. Playdough helps develop finger strength and pre-writing skills. Children can use it to make the planets or create their own solar system with loose parts.
What You Need:
- Playdough
- Stars
- Silver pipe cleaners
- Small clay planets
- Other loose parts (you can use your imagination)
Age Variation: Older kids can use different color playdough to create the planets rather than including them in the loose parts.
9. Solar System Board Game
Using games to learn is always a winning idea, so why not create your own board game? You can use an old board game base and decorate it or create a new board game from thick cardstock. The best part is you can choose your space game’s facts, pictures, and rules.
What You Need:
- Cardstock
- Solar system pictures
- Glue
- Scissors
- Markers
- Tokens
Age Variation: You can adapt the questions and pictures according to the age group making this a versatile teaching tool.
10. Guess the Planet
You can play this fun activity as a family at home or in a classroom. You can even make your own solar system cards. Each person gets a card stuck to their back and has two questions per round to try and guess what is on their card. The goal is to have the most cards at the end of the game. This is an interactive way to learn facts about the solar system.
What You Need:
- Cardboard
- Scissors
- Markers
- Tape
Age Variation: You can quickly adapt the difficulty level of the questions for younger and older kids.
11. Solar System Bingo
Everyone loves a good game of bingo, and it is a great way to practice solar system facts with a group. Each player gets a card, and the first person to have a diagonal, horizontal, or vertical row complete wins.
What You Need:
- Printable bingo cards (or make your own)
- Tokens (plastic stars are a fun option)
Age Variation: Instead of picture call cards, you could read a fact about a planet, and older kids must remember which fact matches which planet.
Solar System Crafts
12. Solar System Sponge Art
Art is a fantastic way to learn more about the planets, their colors, and their unique features. These planets make an effective and beautiful statement when done on black or dark blue cardstock. Using a sponge and a stencil, kids can easily create textured planets.
What You Need:
- Blue or black cardstock
- Acrylic paint
- Q-tip
- Kitchen sponge cut into pieces
- Pictures of the planets
- Tape
- Circle stencil
Age Variation: Stick the stencil down with tape for younger kids, so it doesn’t move. Older kids could label the planet and write one unique fact under it.
13. Solar System Crown
This craft activity is ideal for preschoolers. Cut a piece of black construction paper in half lengthways and tape them together to form a long piece. Using white paint, create speckled ‘stars’ on the paper. Your preschoolers can then color, cut, and stick the planets on. Then, fold the paper into a circle and secure it with tape.
What You Need:
- Black construction paper
- White paint
- Crayons
- Planet printables
- Scissors
- Glue
- Tape
Age Variation: Older kids can stick the planets on according to their distance from the sun.
14. DIY Constellation Viewer
These constellation viewers are sure to be a hit with kids. Cut out and glue the constellation template onto the bottom of the cupcake liner. Carefully punch out the dots that indicate stars. Place the liner over the top of the torch and secure it with string or a rubber band. You can turn off the light to see your constellations or shine them onto dark paper.
What You Need:
- Torch
- Cupcake liners
- Constellation template
- Mini hole punch
- scissors
- String/rubber bands
Age Variation: For older kids, see who can identify each constellation first and then go around the class with each child saying one fact about it.
15. Yarn-Wrapped Planets
This activity is excellent for developing fine motor skills and concentration. First, cut out the shapes of the planets from the cardboard. Next, cut small slits around the edge of the shapes for the yarn to slide into. Using a selection of yarn, wrap it around the shape, pulling it tight through the slits.
What You Need:
- Cardboard
- Yarn
- Scissors
Age Variation: Older kids can make bigger planets with more attention to detail in color and markings.
16. Solar System Necklace
Fun and practical, this activity can also double up as a gift. Paint the beads using a skewer to hold them. Once dry, you can use a sealant to protect the paint. Then, string them onto your chain or string in the correct order.
What You Need:
- Wooden beads (various sizes)
- Skewer
- Acrylic paint and brush
- String/necklace chain
Age Variation: Why stick to just a necklace? Older kids can try earrings or keychains.
17. Solar System Suncatchers
This activity not only helps kids learn about the solar system but also see how markers, water, and coffee filters interact.
Cut out the shape of the planets from your coffee filters. Place each planet on a paper plate and let the kids color them with markers. Then they can spray their planets with water. Take the coffee filter planets off the plate and place them on a rack to dry. Then stick them up on the window to make beautiful suncatchers.
What You Need:
- Coffee Filters
- Scissors
- Paper Plates
- Markers
- Spray bottle filled with water
Age Variation: You can discuss features of the planets and compare sizes with older kids.
Fun Activities That Get Kids Excited About Space
Space and all its mysteries has long captivated adults and kids alike. The idea that we are a tiny part of a much larger whole sparks the imagination of children and gets them thinking and asking questions.
Through fun solar system projects, crafts, and activities, you can make outer space come alive for kids.