Let's Explore the Solar System!

A favorite topic in this household: The Solar System!

Below I have listed various resources used to supplement their education on the Solar System.

Books:

Smithsonian The Planets - This is one of the kids favorite books we have at home. It came in a kit with 3 other books. My husband had bought it from the Smithsonian National Museum (Washington D.C) 4 years back and has been used a lot! This is a great book for kids 1-3 yrs old.

Link to Purchase:

1) https://www.silverdolphinbooks.com/books/smithsonian-first-discoveries-young-explorer-9781626864818/

2) https://www.amazon.com/Smithsonian-First-Discoveries-Young-Explorer/dp/1626864810/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Solar System by D.K - I was able to get this book virtually through our library. It is more detailed than the previous book. This is a good book for kids 4 and older. I searched for this book online and was able to get this interactive link. Do check it out! It also has other topics that your child can learn about and you can incorporate into their education at home!

1) https://www.dkfindout.com/us/space/solar-system/

2) https://www.amazon.com/DK-findout-Solar-System/dp/1465454284

*Libraries are a GREAT resource to find books related to the Solar System if you do not want to purchase. You can even inquire to see if virtual E-Books are available.

Videos:

There are some great educational videos to watch with the kids. One of my favorite channels is Dr. Binocs. I have placed a link of ones I have used below and there are others you can find on YouTube.

1) Dr. Binocs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w36yxLgwUOc&ab_channel=PeekabooKidz

2) A fun song for younger kids: The Solar System Song

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2prtmPEjOc&ab_channel=KidsTV123

3) National Geographic:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=libKVRa01L8&ab_channel=NationalGeographic

D.I.Y project:

*Click below to see the DIY projects.

1) Make an Astronaut Lander Experiment (Science)

2) Let's make the Solar System (Arts & Craft/Fine Motor Activity)

- Mobile

- Window stick-on

-Wall stick-on

3) Rocket and Mars Land Rover using Knex (Technology/Engineering)

4) Build a rocket with cardboard boxes and paper (Technology/Engineering)

D.I.Y worksheet:

*click below to see the worksheets

1) Planets Matching Activity

2) Space Decoding Worksheet (Math)

Apps:

A great app to have is called SkyView Lite. We were told about it by a friend on a trip. We used this app in our backyard for the kids to find different planets (Venus, Mars) even constellations! Fun to use when camping out with the kids as well.

Puzzle:

We have a Melissa and Doug Solar System puzzle given by the grandparents. The boys have done it many times and to make it more challenging, we timed them to see how FAST they could do it. You can also use it to see if the kids can identify the planets on their own.

Benefits: Mental exercise, Visual Spatial Reasoning, Problem solving

https://www.melissaanddoug.com/solar-system-floor-puzzle---48-pieces/413.html

Telescope:

We found a great one at Aldi. We haven't used it yet as our kids are still too small but hoping to in the next 1-2 years. This would be a great learning tool for older kids ~6 and up.

Cost: ~$30 which is a really good price in comparison to other telescopes.

Incorporating the Solar System into

MATH: see DIY worksheets

ENGLISH: Learn to read and spell the planets and other words related to space. Read books related to space! (See Books above)

SCIENCE:

Questions:

-What does the Sun provide us?

* Sun gives light and heat

* Experiment this by having your kids stand outside on a cool day vs sunny day. Then Day vs night.

-How many planets do we have?

-Which is the largest? smallest? Which planets are made of gas? rocks?

-What is the Milky Way?

-How many days does each planet have? -How many moons does each planet have?

-What equals a day on Earth? A year?

-What is the red spot on Jupiter?

-Which is the hottest planet? Coldest?

-Which planet has volcanoes?

-Which planet did we send a Rover to?

-What are dark spots on the Sun?

-What is the Solar Eclipse? Lunar Eclipse?

-What makes Earth special? What do we have?

-What are the rings on Saturn made of?

-Does the moon have gravity?

-Ask questions based on books you read together about the Solar System.

If you are teaching more than one child, have them ask each other questions and test each other!

Tips to stay environmentally conscious:

-Use back of your old printouts/worksheets to print out the worksheets.

-If you are not planning on keeping it long-term or passing it along to others, do NOT laminate so it can be recycled.

*When your kids grow out of this activity, do NOT throw away! Pass it down to your family/friends or donate it to a local school/shelter.

-RECYCLE!

There are MANY ideas for D.I.Y to help kids enjoy learning about the Solar System. If you liked the ideas above, do share with your friends! Don't forget to subscribe on our website and like us on Instagram (@kishmishkidz): https://www.instagram.com/kishmishkidz/?hl=en

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