I have a fun homeschool solar system unit study and hands-on planets activity today. Also, grab more ideas on my best homeschool unit studies page and Exploring Space and Astronomy Free Unit Study for Multiple Ages page.
Further, our solar system is made up of our star, the sun, and the 8 planets that are bound to it by gravity, as well as asteroids and comets.
How did you memorize the order of the planets?
Was it a funny little sentence or was it through classes and papers? Probably a combination of both.
We used this mnemonic.
My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Noodles or Mars, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune.
Besides a homeschool solar system unit study can be informative. And fun if you include lots of hands-on activities which allow your child to learn while having fun.
Hands-on Solar System Unit Study Activities
Here is a full list of hands-on activities, books, games, and more to help you round out your solar system unit study.
Younger children will enjoy this simple activity How Planets Orbit The Sun to learn about orbit.
If you have a LEGO loving learner they will really enjoy learning how to Build a LEGO Solar System.
And How to Make an EASY Straw Rocket.
Moreover little hands especially like to be busy.
This DIY Solar System Playdough Kit lets them work on fine motor skills while learning, it is a great quiet activity while listening to you read aloud.
Learning can be fun and delicious. Try out these Solar System Cookies.
This Homeschool Solar System Unit Study s a great companion study with my About Astronomy and Space Science Fun Quick Unit Study
Upper elementary and middle schoolers will really enjoy this Pick a Planet Activity where they choose a planet and make a brochure to persuade visitors to come.
Also, create a Puffy Moon Craft (Glow in the Dark).
These Earth Cookies are the perfect companion to a lesson on our home planet.
In addition, add some of these fun books to use as a spine or main text in this solar system unit study.
Resources and Books to Learn About the Solar System
11 Astronomy Resources & Books
Add one or two books to your unit study or use one as a spine for studying about space.
From the burning surface of Venus to the freezing darkness of Neptune, Gail Gibbons takes children on a tour of our planetary neighbors—which are very different from each other in size, shape, orbit, and even weather.
With her bestsellers Longitude and Galileo's Daughter, Dava Sobel introduced readers to her rare gift for weaving complex scientific concepts into a compelling narrative. Now Sobel brings her full talents to bear on what is perhaps her most ambitious topic to date-the planets of our solar system. Sobel explores the origins and oddities of the planets through the lens of popular culture, from astrology, mythology, and science fiction to art, music, poetry, biography, and history. Written in her characteristically graceful prose, The Planets is a stunningly original celebration of our solar system and offers a distinctive view of our place in the universe.
On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon and, to an audience of over 450 million people, proclaimed his step a "giant leap for mankind."
Containing star charts, a guide to the constellations, and details about seasons and the movement of the objects we see in the sky, this classic book makes H. A. Rey’s passion for astronomy evident on every page.
New updates concentrate on the planetary and solar system information in the latter part of the book. Facts and figures for each planet have been revised, and new scientific information has been added, such as Pluto’s reclassification as a dwarf planet.
Our solar system consists of eight planets, as well as numerous moons, comets, asteroids, and meteoroids. For thousands of years, humans believed that Earth was at the center of the Universe, but all of that changed in the 17th century. Astronomers like Nicolaus Copernicus, Galileo Galilei, Johannes Kepler, and Isaac Newton proposed the unthinkable theory that Earth and the other planets actually revolved around the Sun.
Gorgeous. Worth every penny! Signs & Seasons is an introduction to “Classical Astronomy,” the traditional, historical approach to the sky, as had been practiced from ancient times. The biblical basis for astronomy
Space is so much bigger than young minds can fathom and there is always more to learn. The Mysteries of the Universe is a stunning space encyclopedia for young readers to explore, with reference pages packed with fascinating information, little learners will be captivated as they journey through the vastness of the Universe.
Like a Facebook for the universe, Astronomy gives every important celestial body and concept its own page, where readers can learn its behaviors, likes, and dislikes up close and personal. From the flashy stars to the shadowy and strange objects that hang out like loners at the edges of the universe, no player goes unnoticed.
The Stargazers Guide to the Night Sky offers everything you need to explore the remarkable beauty of the stars, moon, and planets. Dr. Jason Lisle, a research scientist with a masters and Ph.D. in astrophysics provides a very thorough, practical and easy to read resource to fuel the curiosity of amateur astronomers ages 10 to 100.
【Planet Toys for Kids】Our wooden solar system puzzle is the PERFECT CHOICE for you and your kids as it is made from natural wood, vivid planet patten with well designed. This preschool learning activities is suitable for 3+ years kids and represents the perfect activity to learn through play!
The Solar System Planetarium set teaches children about the wonders of the solar system. Just assemble, paint and learn.
This set includes planets, stencils, squeeze glow paint pen, rods, string, a fact filled wall chart and 10 sets of Kidz Quiz questions.
Too, add these videos to your unit study.
- The Planet Song– Learn the 8 planets that make up our solar system with a catchy tune.
- Planets of Our Solar System from Homeschool Pop.
- Generation Genius is free and offers this this video on The Solar System and lots of other resources like discussion questions and reading material to go along with it.
- Incredible Facts About the Planets in Our Solar System is a quick way to learn tidbits about each of the amazing planets in a short amount of time.
- Let’s Make the Solar System | Arts and Crafts! | SciShow Kids.
The sun, an average star, is the central and largest body in the solar system.
Four planet Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars are called the terrestrial or Earth planets.
They formed in the inner part of our solar system.
The larger planets Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune consist mostly of dense fluids like liquid hydrogen.
Additionally, grab these free resources to learn about the solar system.
- STEM Engagement at NASA
- E-books from Nasa
- Sorting the Solar System Free downloadable lesson plans where your child learns that the solar system is not just limited to the planets.
- Fun Solar System Scavenger Hunt
- How Big is the Solar System?
More Best Homeschool Unit Studies
- Volcano Unit Study and Fun Apple Volcano
- Solar System Unit Study and Hands-on Planets Activity
- Charlotte’s Web Homeschool Unit Study and Fun Hands-on Ideas
- Homeschool Unit Study Ideas | Lewis and Clark Exploration Lapbook
- Mushroom Unit Study and Kids Learning Activities
- Little House on The Prairie Unit Study and Fun Punched Tin Lantern
Grab a copy of my Astronomy Lapbook and learn about the solar system and more.
Further, look at this easy activity to learn about the solar system hands-on.
Homeschool Solar System Unit Study Hands-on Planet Activity
You will need:
- Black Foam Board
- Colorful Cardstock/construction paper
- White Cardstock
- White paint
- Various circle objects
- Watercolor paints
- Paintbrushes
- Glue Stick
Directions:
Decide if you want to layout your planets in various places in orbit or in a straight line on one side.
You may choose to adjust the size based on nearness to the sun or actual size in comparison to the sun.
In addition, you can use a drafting compass for making your circles, but it was fun scouring the house for circle items like bowls, cups, knickknacks, jars, etc. for tracing.
Trace your round objects on cardstock, making the largest circle for the sun.
Check google for reference or use a book to decide on which colors to use.
I used The Planets by Gail Gibbons to get a general idea of base color and variations.
Cut out each circle.
Use watercolors to add details to each of your planets, alternatively you could do this with crayons or markers as well, I just love the look the watercolors give.
Allow the paint to dry completely, it shouldn’t take too long.
Moreover, if you want to add stars to your solar system, splatter the foam board with a little white paint and add tiny dots for stars and comets before adding your planets.
Glue your sun to the center of the board.
Trace circles with a pencil around the sun to create light lines for orbits, large bowls or platters work great for this. You can create 8 for each of the planets if you have space.
Lastly, begin adding the planets to the board with glue in order of closeness to the sun – Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and finally Neptune.
Write or type – sun and names of each of the planets on cardstock for labeling.
Have your child glue them into the correct place.
