Awesome Educational Solar System Activities for Kids
I earn a commission from products purchased through links in this post.
Many children are naturally curious about the solar system. We might as well capitalize on that curiosity and provide educational solar system activities to help kids learn about the universe.
I know both of my kids were interested in everything related to outer space when they were young. Over our last decade of homeschooling, we have spent many hours learning about the solar system.
These solar system activities make a great addition to unit studies or homeschool lessons, but they are also great for kids who just want to learn more about the planets for fun.
Educational Solar System Activities for Kids
Books About the Solar System
Reading themed books is one of the easiest solar system activities for kids. Books are a wonderful way to encourage learning in any topic. These books about the solar system include nonfiction and fiction. Keep a basket full of books in an area where your children frequently hang out.
I bet they will reach for a book when they are bored!
I keep a basket of books in my office now, but when my kids were small, we kept the book basket next to the living room couch. This made it easy to grab a book and read anytime we had a few quiet, snuggly moments.
National Geographic Little Kids First Big Book of Space by Catherine D. Hughes
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This book is full of information about our solar system and galaxy, but it is written in a way that young children can understand. The pages are full of facts, but not long sentences. This can be a tough combination to find!
National Geographic Readers: Planets by Elizabeth Carney
This nonfiction book is a level 2 reader, so it is geared for a 2nd – 3rd grade reading level. The photos are beautiful, as I have come to expect from National Geographic.
The Mysteries of the Universe: Discover the Best Kept Secrets of Space by Will Gater
- Hardcover Book
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The illustrations in the book are gorgeous. This is a great resource for kids who want to look up solar system vocabulary words.
There’s No Place Like Space: All About Our Solar System by Tish Rabe
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This is a great book for young learners. The classic Cat in the Hat introduces the solar system to children through rhyme.
The Magic School Bus Lost in Space by Joanna Cole
- Author Joanna Cole
- 40 pages paperback
- Grade 3
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Miss Frizzle’s class has a field trip to the planetarium planned. Things don’t go as planned (do they ever in Miss Frizzle’s class?), but the class still learns quite a lot about the solar system.
The Care and Feeding of a Pet Black Hole by Michelle Cuevas
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
My kids have really enjoyed hearing this story for our family read-aloud. This is a fictional story, but it does include a few planetary facts. The main character is a middle school girl who is dealing with the death of her father. The black hole is symbolic of her grief. Despite the sad tale, this is actually a cute story.
Solar System Toys
Themed toys make great gifts or additions to lesson plans. They can keep the interest going when it starts to fizzle out. These solar system activities are perfect for maintaining interest while kids are learning.
- 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
- Complete assembly instructions included
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This planetarium guides children through painting and assembling a model of the solar system. It includes the complete instructions as well as a planetary fact wall chart.
- Travel Through Space: Kids connect 48 jumbo pieces to build a 3 x 2 ft solar system scene that includes all major planets plus Pluto, encouraging them to…
- Learn All The Planets: Puzzle shows planets without printed text, but includes an illustrated guide and multilingual insert listing the names, order, and…
- Supports Early Learning Through Play: Helps develop fine motor control, spatial reasoning, observation, and early storytelling as kids sort, rotate, and…
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
My kids had this Melissa and Doug puzzle when they were preschoolers. It was one of our favorite solar system activities for many years. They liked to build the solar system and then ‘travel through space’ by jumping from one planet to another.
- Complete solar system for kids learning: Features all 9 planets plus Pluto and the Sun in scientifically accurate colors with realistic cloud patterns…
- Premium inflatable planet toys collection: Includes 10 durable plastic pieces ranging from 8 to 28 inches diameter – Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter…
- Versatile space decor for multiple uses: Transform any room into an educational galaxy – suitable for science classroom displays, space themed bedroom…
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This inflatable solar system is adorable. Children can play with the planets or hang them as decorations.
Create A Scene Magnetic Playset
- MAKE FUN SCENES—Place colorful magnets on the fun backgrounds to make any scenes you want!
- PLAY OVER AND OVER—Easily remove magnets or move them around to make any scene you want, and even tell a story!
- QUIET PLAY—Engaging activity for quiet play
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Magnetic playsets are a great way for imaginative play while cooped up in small spaces. My kids put these in their travel bags when they were smaller. They were perfect for use on car trips or airplanes.
Professor Noggin Outer Space Trivia
- PLAY & LEARN: Professor Noggin’s series of educational card games encourages kids to learn interesting facts about their favorite subjects.
- FUN FACTS: Explore all the things that go on in Outer Space. Learn fascinating information about planets, moons, spaceships, satellites, asteroids and much…
- CARD GAME: Each of the thirty game cards combines trivia, true or false, and multiple-choice questions. A special three-numbered die is included which adds…
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Kids will learn outer space facts while playing this card game with friends. There are two levels – easy and hard- so kids can progress or play with adults.
We don’t have this particular Professor Noggin game, but we have others.
It is a great game to play in short amounts of time, like waiting for your food at a restaurant.
- PREPARE FOR LIFTOFF – This galactic Safari Ltd TOOB has the whole history of America’s space program, from the early days of the Gemini project through…
- INCLUDES 10 TOY FIGURINES – This set includes 2 Astronauts (Astronaut with Jet Pack, and a Mars Astronaut in Red Suit), Private Ham (the First Space…
- COMES IN CONVENIENT TOOB – All these figurines pack neatly into a reusable tube, making them easy to store and carry-along, whether you’re going to…
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
I love setting out Toobs to spark themed, imaginative play. The space Toob would be fantastic in a space-themed sensory bin or with play-dough planets.
Art and Craft Science Kit Space Explorer
- DO YOU HAVE A SPACE CRAZY KID? Then look no further as he/she will love this astronomy gift for kids. This Space box includes 6 activities – Make your own…
- A PERFECT GIFT – Science, Art and Craft, and a board game — This outerspace gift for kids has it all! Gift your child hours of happiness with stem space…
- YOUR CHILD DESERVES THE BEST – This stem toy is designed by world renowned educational and learning experts
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This kit includes everything needed to make three space-themed craft projects – an experiment, a constellation lacing, and building a kaleidoscope.
Solar System Videos
Some kids absorb information best by watching. Videos are perfect for them.
I also like to have educational videos available for sick days or when I just need a few minutes to get something done. I don’t feel too guilty when I give the kids extra screen time if they are watching something educational.
Videos can be great solar system activities for days when you have a lot to do and need someone else to teach the kids for a few minutes.
![Magic School Bus: Space Adventures [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61Tj8M8M7nL._SL160_.jpg)
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Follow Ms. Frizzle and her class as they learn (and teach) through crazy antics. Seasons 1-4 are currently available on Netflix. All of the old episodes are also available on DVD. In 2017, Netflix began making a new batch of episodes called Magic School Bus Rides Again.
Magic School Bus Season 2, episode 11: Out of this World
Magic School Bus Season 4, episode 4: Goes on Air
Magic School Bus Season 4, episode 7: Sees Stars
Magic School Bus Season 5, episode 1: Old Planetarium
Magic School Bus Rides Again, Season 1, episode 9: Space Mission Selfie
Ted Ed Videos
Ted Ed are short educational videos designed for kids. Ted Ed is affiliated with the famous Ted Talks, but are shorter and more engaging to hold a child’s shorter attention span. My son loves Ted Ed videos and watches them in his spare time.
What Outer Space Does to Your Body
How Small Are We in the Scale of the Universe
Solar System Experiment Kits
Experiment kits are a great way to access multiple experiments with only one purchase.
I love buying science experiment kits because the supplies are usually included. Having the supplies on hand means that I am more likely to actually do the experiments with my kids.
These experiment kits are excellent hands-on solar system activities.
- Designed in collaboration with NASA scientists & engineers
- Includes 12 modules, 5 NASA lesson plans and 10 STEAM activities
- Learn scientific principles like Electromagnetic, Kinetic, & Potential Energy
Last update on 2026-09-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Space Related Field Trips
I love taking my kids on field trips. It is a way to cram so much information into just one day of learning. It also helps create interest and understanding in a way that is meaningful. Taking a space-themed field trip is one of the solar system activities that can really get kids excited about outer space.
Planetarium – Many areas have planetariums that host amazing shows. Here is a list of US planetariums. Did you know there are over 350 planetariums in the United States?
Air and Space Museum – The Air and Space Museum in Washington DC is perfect for anyone interested in the solar system. It is the museum that I always recommend to families going to DC because I have never met a child who didn’t consider it a magical place. If you can’t go to DC, check out the exhibits online. It isn’t the same as going in person, but you can see a few of the exhibits.
Related Post: Free Virtual Field Trips
Planetary Apps
Sky Map – We use our Sky Map app all the time. It is particularly useful when we are sitting outside on clear nights. It helps me answer the “What is that?” questions about the night sky.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Keep reading . . .