Solar System Project Ideas for Kids

First of all, we need to know what solar system is, what it consists of, and how big it is; because these are a few basic questions which kids keep ruminating over.

Our solar system consists of eight planets - Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, and their satellites. Till 2006, Pluto was considered as the ninth planet in the solar system, but in accordance with the current formal classification of planets, it is no longer considered as one. Moon is a satellite of planet Earth. It also consists of the Sun, asteroids, comets, and interplanetary dust and gas. All these orbit the Sun, it being at the center.

The planets are divided into two groups; the inner planets consist of Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars (the smaller ones), and outer planets consist of Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune (the larger ones). Jupiter is the largest, while Mercury is the smallest planet in our solar system. Scientists believe that our solar system is about 5 billions years old. The Sun is a large star, and because of its ability to provide sunlight, life has evolved on the Earth. Earth is also abundant in water, another element which is very vital for life to sustain on the Earth.

There are some basic concepts regarding the solar system that children fail to understand. It is the responsibility of parents to impart this fundamental knowledge to them. Also, the concept of space, solar system, universe, galaxy and Milky Way should be made acquainted to children at a young age, so that later, they do not face difficulty in understanding these terms.

Children learn from simple concepts. Easy and innovative project ideas can be very effective. Some of the ideas are given below:

Cardboard Solar System Model
What you will need

• A round piece of cardboard
• Scissors
• Tape
• String
• Colors of oak tag
• Pencil, markers, or crayons
• Compass

Cut the cardboard in a circular shape. Mark the center, which will be the position of the Sun. Using compass to draw the orbits of nine planets, the first four orbits being relatively closer. Use a sharp hand tool to punch a series of holes. These will be the points from where planet symbols will hang. Also, punch a hole at the center, the position of the Sun.

Cut 10 circles from the oak tag. Make the circle for Sun largest, and circles for Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune relatively smaller. The circles for inner planets should be the smallest. Write the name of each planet on the back of the circles. Tape the length of string to each planet and Sun. Tie them at their correct insertions respectively, that is to say, the Sun goes at the central hole, Mercury at the next, and so on.

Adjust the length for each string equally. Tie three pieces of string to the top of your model and then tie them together. Your solar system model is ready.

Kids' Craft Ideas for Solar Projects

• Take a paper, cut it into the shape of a star and color it. Paste it on the top of a paper and below it, write the poem "Star light, star bright". Children will relate the poem with the star, making them understand the poem and the term star better.
• To make them aware of the fact that planets differ in size, bring balls of different sizes and tell them that the largest ball represents Jupiter, the smallest Mercury, and so on.
• Get them a sketch book or simply ask them to draw the solar system, as children are usually inclined towards drawing. Also, instruct them to color the planets such as, Sun as Yellow, Moon as White, Earth as Blue, and so on. This will not only add to their creativity but help them to understand colors as well.
• A very practical method is to gift your child a telescope. With a telescope, a child can see the real planets and stars with naked eye, instead of imagining them. Ask them to take notes of what they see, and later, discuss it with their teachers if they have any doubt. A visit to museums and planetariums will be a good learning experience.
• Indicate to them the various constellations in the sky at night. This will make them curious about their shapes. They will learn more by visualizing those shapes. You can increase their awareness about astronomy and astrology too.
• Today's children are inclined towards technology and various electronic games like Xbox games, computer video games, etc. Children can be familiarized with some games related to astronomy, which are readily available in the market. NASA provides various kinds of online games free of cost to help kids develop their interest in astronomy.

Did you see how interesting yet simple these project ideas are? Next time, do not worry when your child gets to make a solar system model for homework. Try these ideas and make the project work wonders for your children.