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Make a Model Solar System

Homemade model of the Solar System, with the Sun (far left), terrestrial planets, Asteroid Belt, gas giants, and Kuiper Belt (far right) shown in miniature.
Credit: University of Alaska Museum of the North
Levels
  • Introductory (K-5)
Material Type
  • Lesson Plan
  • Activity/Hands-on
Heliophysics Big Ideas
  • Big Idea 1.1 – The Sun is really big…
NGSS
  • ESS1 - Earth's Place in the Universe
Heliophysics Topics
  • Solar System
Heliophysics Missions
  • Voyager
  • IBEX
Material Cost per Learner $1 – $5
Language English

An activity to introduce the Solar System to young students by having them create each planet, place them in order, and move them in orbit around the Sun. Students learn the relative size and location of each planet in our Solar System. You can also include the Asteroid Belt and Kuiper Belt. Activity includes an informational sheet containing fun facts about each planet and a video link describing how you can facilitate this activity with young children. Materials needed: Planets--play dough, clay, small toy balls, or aluminum foil. Sun--balloon or large ball. Asteroid Belt and Kuiper Belt--small rocks, clay, or aluminum foil. Saturn's rings--markers or crayons, heavy paper, glue, scissors, craft knife.

For more information, click the link below:

https://www.uaf.edu/museum/education/educators/heliophysics-aurora-outre/activities/pdfs/Model-Solar-System.pdf