The solar system is vast and filled with endless wonders. From the massive gas giants like Jupiter to the rocky planets like Earth, there is something awe-inspiring about each celestial body that orbits our sun. Fortunately, learning about the solar system doesn’t have to be a tedious or boring process. With this amazing free printable solar system model for kids, you can turn learning into a fun and engaging process that your little ones will love!
- The Sun
The sun is the star at the center of our solar system. It’s the largest object by far and contains more than 99% of the total mass of the solar system. The sun is a huge ball of burning gas that generates heat and light that allows life on earth to exist. It’s incredible to think that without the sun, life as we know it would not be possible on our planet.
- Mercury
Mercury is the smallest planet in the solar system and the closest planet to the sun. It takes just 88 days to orbit the sun, the shortest of any planet. Mercury is a rocky planet with a heavily cratered surface. It’s also one of the hottest planets in the solar system, with surface temperatures that can reach up to 800 degrees Fahrenheit!
- Venus
Venus is often called Earth’s sister planet because of its similarity in size and composition. It’s the second planet from the sun and has the hottest surface temperature of any planet in the solar system, even hotter than Mercury. Venus has a thick atmosphere made up mostly of carbon dioxide, making it a very inhospitable place for life as we know it.
- Earth
The third planet from the sun, Earth is the only planet in the solar system known to support life. It has a unique atmosphere that allows for the existence of liquid water, a key ingredient for life. Earth is also a rocky planet with a solid surface, unlike the gas giants further out in the solar system.
- Mars
Mars is often called the red planet because of its distinct reddish color. It’s the fourth planet from the sun and is a rocky planet with a thin atmosphere. Mars has the largest volcano in the solar system, Olympus Mons, and the deepest canyon, Valles Marineris. There has been much speculation about the possibility of life on Mars, and several missions are already in the works to explore the planet further.
- Jupiter
Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system and has more than twice the mass of all the other planets combined. It’s a gas giant with no solid surface, just layers of gas that gradually get denser towards the core. Jupiter has dozens of moons, including the four largest called the Galilean moons, named after the scientist who discovered them: Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto.
- Saturn
Saturn is the second-largest planet in the solar system and is known for its beautiful ring system, made up of ice particles and rock. Like Jupiter, Saturn is a gas giant with no solid surface. It has at least 82 moons and is known for its hexagonal cloud pattern at the north pole, which has puzzled scientists for years.
- Uranus
Uranus is the seventh planet from the sun and the third-largest planet in the solar system. It’s an ice giant, which means it’s made up mostly of water, methane, and ammonia ices. Uranus is unique in that it rotates on its side, meaning that its poles are where the equator would be on other planets. It has at least 27 moons and a faint set of rings.
- Neptune
Neptune is the eighth planet from the sun and the fourth-largest planet in the solar system. It’s also an ice giant and has the strongest winds of any planet in the solar system, with gusts that can reach up to 1,200 miles per hour! Neptune has at least 14 moons and a faint set of rings.
- Pluto
Pluto was once considered the ninth planet in the solar system, but in 2006, it was reclassified as a dwarf planet. It’s the smallest and most distant member of the solar system and has a highly elliptical orbit that sometimes brings it closer to the sun than Neptune. Pluto and its largest moon, Charon, are sometimes considered a binary system because of their similar sizes.
This free printable solar system model for kids is the perfect way to teach your little ones about the wonders of our solar system. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or just someone who loves science, this model is a fun and engaging way to learn about the various planets and celestial bodies that make up our solar system.
Simply print out the model, cut out the various pieces, and assemble them to create a 3D model of the solar system. Your little ones will love seeing the planets and their moons up close and personal, and you’ll love how easy it is to teach them about the wonders of space.
So what are you waiting for? Download this amazing free printable solar system model for kids today and start exploring the wonders of the solar system!
