Looking for fun, hands-on ways to teach your child about the solar system? You’re in the right place! This guide includes engaging solar system activities for kids that blend science, creativity, and imagination. From DIY crafts to space-themed games, your child will explore planets, facts, and more while actually enjoying the learning process.
Perfect for curious kids ages 6–12, these activities are ideal for homeschooling, classrooms, or weekend play.
What Is the Solar System? (Explained for Kids)
The solar system is like a giant space family. At the center is the Sun, a huge ball of burning gas that gives us light and heat. Orbiting around it are planets, moons, asteroids, and comets all moving in an invisible dance across space.
🌟 Kid-friendly analogy: Think of the solar system like a giant merry-go-round, with the Sun in the middle and planets spinning around it in their own lanes.
Want to take the learning further? Try building a mini solar system using paper or modeling clay as your child reads about it. It's a great way to turn a science fact into a sensory-rich project.
What Are the 8 Planets in Order?
Here’s the list of the 8 planets in order from the Sun and yes, we’re including Pluto as 9th because it’s still a fan favorite!
Mercury – The smallest and closest to the Sun
Venus – Super hot and full of clouds
Earth – That’s us! The only known planet with life
Mars – The red planet, possibly home to ancient water
Jupiter – The biggest planet, with a giant red storm
Saturn – Known for its beautiful rings
Uranus – A chilly, tilted planet that spins on its side
Neptune – Deep blue and super windy
Pluto – A tiny dwarf planet with a big heart-shaped crater (It was previously considered the ninth planet but was reclassified as a dwarf planet in 2006 by the International Astronomical Union.)
Memory trick: “My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nachos (Pizza).”
Solar System Activities for Kids to Build and Create
Let your child become a space explorer at home with these hands-on solar system projects:
1. DIY Planet Mobile
Craft a solar system that hangs from the ceiling! 🛠 Materials: Paper plates or foam balls, paint, string, scissors. Color each planet accurately and hang them in order using string and a coat hanger.
2. Play-Doh Planet Models
Use modeling clay or Play-Doh to sculpt each planet by size. Make Jupiter with its storm spot or Saturn with a flattened ring using cut cardboard.
3. Rocket Straw Launcher
Kids can create their own paper rocket and use a straw to “blast off.” Add learning: Measure how far their rocket launches and try to improve the design!
4. Glow-in-the-Dark Galaxy Jars
Combine glitter, cotton, and glow paint in a jar to make a mini galaxy. Great for sensory play or nightstand décor.
5. DIY Astronaut Gear
Turn cardboard boxes and tin foil into a custom helmet or jet pack. Encourage pretend play and let them narrate their “mission to Neptune!”
Solar System Games & Interactive Play
Jump-the-Planet Game
Make a solar system map with chalk or masking tape on the floor. ➡ ️ Kids jump from Mercury to Neptune while shouting the planet names in order. Great for kinesthetic learners!
Solar System Scavenger Hunt
Hide paper planets around the room and give clues based on planet traits. Example: “I’m red and dusty and may have had water once. Who am I?”
Create Your Own Alien Planet
Encourage kids to imagine and draw a new planet. Prompt ideas:
What color is the sky?
What kind of aliens live there?
What’s the weather like?
🪐 Use ChatGPT to write a silly alien story based on their planet design!
Interesting Facts About Our Solar System
Surprise your young space explorer with these WOW-worthy facts:
Jupiter has over 95 moons, some as big as planets!
A day on Venus is longer than a year.
Neptune’s winds blow faster than 1,100 mph.
Saturn’s rings are made of ice and rock; some pieces are the size of houses!
The Sun is 99.8% of all the mass in our solar system.
🧠 Fun activity: Turn these into trivia flashcards or quiz your child after dinner!
🎥Turn Their Space Adventure Into a YouTube Video
Want your child to document their crafts or narrate their space facts like a real science show? Help them start a safe, creative YouTube journey!
Check out DIY’s “How to Be a YouTuber” course perfect for kids who love to share what they learn through video.
Let Curiosity Be the Rocket Fuel
The best solar system activities for kids aren’t just about memorizing planets, they're about building, imagining, and playing their way through space. These easy DIY projects offer the perfect launchpad for learning at home.
Encourage your kids to craft the solar system, dream up alien planets, or pretend to be astronauts. With every glue stick and fact learned, they’re taking one more step into the universe.
