For some reason 2 of the 3 online orreries I used to list here are no longer running which is a real shame. Both apps show a solar system map - a "plan view" of the planets laid out in the plane of the ecliptic (the flat plane in which all the main planets move about the Sun).

First, use the compass to draw the planets and the sun onto the white card. For our space mobile, we’ve made the eight major planets plus the ‘dwarf planets’ Ceres, Pluto and Eris. This online orrery (Note: an orrery is a machine that shows planetary positions) will hopefully help you to understand what's going on out there. Our live Solar System Map - Getting Oriented

Step by Step Instructions

Solstice and Equinox Data Courtesy of Fred Espenak, www.Astropixels.com The Zodiac - and "Hey... That planet is in the wrong place!" Each body is made from two circular pieces of card that slot together to create a three dimensional shape. It is always difficult to appreciate the sizes of the planets and the relative distance between all the planets of our solar system. While this scale model of the solar system is not exact or a true scale, it will give kids some relative sizes of the planets while giving them a bigger appreciation for the vast nature of space. Using a bodkin, make a hole and thread a piece of cotton yarn through the top of each planet and tie the ends. If the planet has an axial tilt, remember to make the hole the correct number of degrees down from the top. Sign up to Twinkl today to explore thousands more colouring resources your children will love! What are some other planet crafts for kids I can use?

Gifting your 5-year-old kid with these jigsaw puzzles is a great idea. These puzzles challenge your kids to create a diorama of the solar system. The process is challenging enough to create some ample opportunity for the kid’s problem-solving skills improvement. Jupiter - the largest planet in our solar system. It is a gas giant with a mass 2.5x that of all the other planets in the Solar System combined!

Curriculum

Included in the set are planets, rods, string, stencils, a squeeze glow paint pen, a fact-filled wall chart and 10 sets of questions for your kid(s). Your kid will first need to assemble the components of the product so he/she can understand the solar system. Giving your children the opportunity to build a visual representation of the position of all eight planets in the solar system allows them to engage on a new level with the content and see for themselves how the principle of gravity and rotation around the sun works. Now, paint the planets different colours. You can use your paintbrush to create different effects like swirls and splodges. Besides, the kids will be learning essential football skills. The Crocodile Creek solar system balls are appropriate for 4 to 8-year-old kids, which means your kids will most likely benefit from these soccer balls. But in the long run, your kids will have enough brain exercise by the time they are done solving the puzzles. When the puzzle is complete, they have a dimension of just 750mm X 500mm, which doesn’t take up much space.

Dwarf planet positions are also shown - but it should be realised that these objects often rise far above and below the plane of the ecliptic. This is because their orbital planes are tilted with respect to the ecliptic - by more than 40 degrees in some cases. So be aware that just because the app may occasionally show a planet and a dwarf planet to be very close to each other in the plan view, they may, in fact, be separated by a large perpendicular distance. Earth's Tilt Then add the outer planets — Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, and Uranus — in the outer holes of the hanging frame. Children might also love this KS2 The Moon and Tides Craft Activity. They can follow the craft instructions to create their own resource to demonstrate where on Earth low and high tides occur.

Solar System Models

I recently bought some space books for kids, and my son immediately started asking tons of questions about space. This solar system project was the perfect solar system activity for kids to help answer his questions! On one disc of each planet cut a thin slit from the bottom edge to the middle, then on the other cut from the top to the middle and slot them together, using a small dot of glue to secure them. Cut the middle 9.5cm out of Saturn’s rings then cut small notches out of the middle edges of Saturn and push the rings into them.

Also, the chart has some educational facts about the solar system. This toy has benefits for young kids aged 3 to 7 years. It improves their brain's capacity to solve problems. Also, the toy develops and improves the kids' motor skills. It is helpful to have these cardboard circles cut out before you start. The diameter of the circles we used for each planet is as follows: Solar System body How to Make A Solar System Model for Kids Step 1 Turn these planets and the sun into a solar system mobile for kids. Start by threading the inner planets — Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars — in the holes near the sun. High-quality materials go into the manufacture of this great educational toy. Durability is, therefore, something you can get from the puzzles. Their 3D appearance makes them form a realistic solar system.They are ideal for both boys and girls, and even adults can join in the frenzy of solving them. Age restriction is not something to worry about here. This puzzle comprises 146 pieces which you have to assemble together into the solar system. Add fact sheets around your classroom of all the different planets. Challenge children to learn a new fact each day from one of our Planet Fact Posters.