Solar System Teaching Resources
Rocket your students into your next space lesson with solar system projects and diagrams, activities designed around the planets and moon phases, and hundreds more teaching resources created by teachers for your classroom!
Aligned with NGSS curriculum standards, each solar system-focused teacher resource has undergone the Teach Starter teacher team's thorough review process to ensure it's ready to use in your classroom.
This collection of curriculum-aligned teaching resources makes teaching about the planets, sun, moon, and the rest of the galaxy easy with editable templates that can be easily adapted to differentiate instruction for your individual students.
New to this part of the science curriculum or just looking for fresh ideas to inspire kids about space? Read on for a primer from our teacher team, including a definition of solar system to share with students and a look at the difference between this space concept and galaxies.
What Is the Solar System? A Kid-Friendly Definition
To start you off, our teacher team has created a definition you can use in the classroom to introduce the solar system to your students.
The solar system is made up of a single star with planets rotating around it.
The solar system that we call home has the sun at the center — yes, the sun is a star! — and it includes planet Earth, plus other planets, moons, asteroids, comets and other outer space objects.
The sun, which is seen at left, is the only star in our solar system.
Solar System vs. Galaxy — What's the Difference?
If a solar system is comprised of the sun and the planets, what's a galaxy?
The easiest way to explain the difference between these two is to tell your class that a galaxy is a gigantic group of solar systems, all gathered together.
Kids can think of the galaxy as a big, extended family of solar systems.
Earth is located in the Milky Way galaxy, which includes a huge number of different solar systems — more than 3,000!
How Many Planets Are in Our Solar System?
The solar system that we call home as residents of Earth is made up of eight planets — Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune — plus one dwarf planet, Pluto!
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Phases of the Moon – Comprehension Worksheet
Analyze different moon phases and how their visual appearances change over time with this reading comprehension worksheet.
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Design a Planet Project
Explore the different planets during this design your own planet project for kids.
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Comparing Night and Day Worksheet Pack
Explore similarities and differences between day and night with our Comparing Night and Day Worksheet Pack.
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Objects in Space Graphic Organizer Pack
Research other features in the solar system besides the sun and the planets with an Objects in Space Graphic Organizer.
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Planets Escape Room Activity
Navigate facts about different planets with this fun and engaging escape room style activity with your students.
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Objects in the Sky – Instructional Slide Deck
Teach your students about the moon, sun, stars, and clouds with this 24-slide instructional slide deck.
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Phases of the Moon – Worksheet
Label the phases of the moon as they appear in the northern hemisphere with this printable science worksheet.
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Moon Phases Diagram
Learn about the position of the moon and its phases as it orbits the Earth with this illustrated diagram.
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Moon Phases – Cut and Paste Activity
Create a diagram showing the different moon phases and their names with this cut-and-paste activity sheet.
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Oreo® Moon Phases Worksheet
Engage your students with a science snack-tivity by completing this Oreo® moon phases worksheet.
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If I Could Create My Own Planet Craft Template
Explore planets and let your students get creative by developing their own planet.
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Planets of the Solar System Factbook - Worksheet
Engage your students with a worksheet that can be compiled into a factbook containing information about the planets in the solar system.
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Our Solar System - Interactive and Printable Cloze Reading Activity
Practice and review concepts associated with the solar system using a cloze passage.
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Playdough Constellation Activity Mats
Explore the cosmos and get hands-on with objects in the sky using our Playdough Constellation Activity Mats.
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Mindfulness Planet Coloring Pages
Get mindful with this set of planet-themed mindful coloring sheets.
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Which Planet Am I? Interactive Activity
Explore the planets of the solar system with this fun and engaging interactive activity.
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Earth, Sun, and Moon – Vocabulary Cards and Puzzles
Reinforce science vocabulary with this set of word wall cards and vocabulary puzzles covering the Earth, sun, and moon.
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Rotation and Revolution Bingo
Engage your students with a lively game of bingo while learning about Earth’s rotation and revolution.
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Earth and Space Vocabulary Posters
Display this set of 18 mini-posters in your classroom when learning about Earth and space vocabulary.
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Objects in the Sky Flipbook
Describe and illustrate different objects found in the sky with this printable science flipbook.
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Earth, Sun, and Moon – Comprehension Worksheet
Read about and compare physical characteristics of the Eath, sun, and moon with this reading comprehension sheet.
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Solar and Lunar Eclipse Posters
Display these solar and lunar eclipse diagrams in your classroom when learning about the alignment of the Sun, Earth, and moon.
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Day and Night – Worksheet
Encourage your students to illustrate the day and night cycle with this free worksheet.
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The Moon – Reading Passage and Response Sheet
Engage your students with a high-interest reading passage about the moon with this informative article and accompanying response sheet.
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Formation of Earth – Reading Comprehension Worksheet
Use this reading comprehension activity that helps develop literacy skills and outlines the events and processes that led to the formation of our home planet.
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What Causes the Seasons? Mini-Book
Explore what causes the seasons on Earth to change with this printable mini-book.
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We Are Moving – Planet Project Bundle
Use this printable Earth and Space project teaching resource bundle to create projects that develop knowledge and understanding of scientific concepts, research skills and writing skills.
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How to Make a Sundial Activity and Worksheet
Print this sundial science worksheet, and follow the instructions to make a sundial with your students when exploring concepts of time.
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3D Astronaut Template
Create astronauts with this 3D net.
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All About the Sun – Comprehension Worksheet
Integrate science and reading while learning about the Sun with this comprehension worksheet.
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Moon Phases Mini-Book
Read, learn, and complete comprehension exercises while studying the 8 moon phases.
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Rotation vs. Revolution – Cut and Paste Worksheet
Demonstrate an understanding of rotation vs. revolution with this cut and paste worksheet.