Do your kids ever look up into the sky and wonder what’s out there?
Learn about the planets and the Sun with these fun solar system projects for kids! Build a solar system lapbook, create a 3D planet model, or make a colorful solar system booklet to explore outer space.
Hands-On Solar System Project: Make a Planet Lapbook
Our solar system lapbook is a creative way for kids to explore astronomy while practicing reading, writing, and organization. It’s an interactive model of the planets that kids can color, label, and glue together for a visual reference of the solar system.
- Field of Science: Astronomy, Earth & Space Science
- Grade Level: Grades 2–5
🔎 Also, check out another hands-on planet activity, our Solar System Diorama Project! View our complete collection of space STEM activities for kids here.
Supplies Needed
- File folder
- Printable Solar System pages (download below)
- Scissors
- Crayons or markers
- Glue stick
Solar System Lapbook Instructions
- Fold: Open a file folder and fold each side toward the center to create booklet flaps.
- Color: Color your planets and solar system cover.
- Assemble: Cut along the lines and glue the front cover pieces to each flap.
- Add planets: Create mini planet booklets and glue them in order from the Sun.
- Finish: Glue the “Our Solar System” page in the center and review your model.
💡 Extension Idea: Have kids add one fact about each planet under its flap to turn the lapbook into a mini research project.
NGSS Guiding Questions
| NGSS Question | Concept Focus |
|---|---|
| What makes up our solar system? | The Sun, planets, moons, comets, and asteroids form our solar system. |
| How does gravity affect the solar system? | The Sun’s gravity keeps all planets and objects in orbit. |
| How do models help us understand space? | Models like lapbooks and dioramas represent planetary size and distance visually. |
Fun Facts About the Solar System
- There are eight planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.
- Jupiter is the largest planet; Venus is the hottest.
- Saturn has the most moons (over 80!).
- The solar system is about 4.6 billion years old.
- We call it the “solar” system because the Sun’s Latin name is Sol.
Solar System Discussion Questions
- Which planet is closest to the Sun?
- Which planet is the largest or smallest?
- Why do planets orbit the Sun?
- How do moons move around planets?
- What do we learn from building models of space?
Encourage kids to write or draw their answers in their lapbook or project journal.
CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR PRINTABLE SOLAR SYSTEM PROJECT
Extend the Learning
Pair this solar system project with one or more of these hands on space activities for kids. Here are more fun ways to learn about our solar system…
- Make a solar system diorama
- Color the planets of the solar system
- Explore interesting facts about the planets
- Edible Oreo moon phases
- Make a moon craft to explore moon phases
- Learn about constellations
- View an eclipse with a DIY pinhole camera
Printable Science Packs for Kids
Visit our SHOP for easy-to-print STEM and science lesson plans for the whole year. Or join us in the Little Bins Club.
