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!
- Plus Plan
Day and Night Mini-Book
Learn about the differences between night and day with this printable mini-book designed for kindergarten and first-grade students.
- Plus Plan
Objects in the Sky – Sorting Activity
Determine if statements about different objects in the sky are true or false with this sorting activity.
- Plus Plan
Objects in the Sky – Vocabulary Cards and Writing Templates
Create a vocabulary and writing center with a word wall and writing templates that cover objects in the sky.
- Plus Plan
Objects in the Sky – Writing Prompts
Describe objects in the sky such as the clouds, moon, and sun with this set of 8 writing prompts.
- Plus Plan
Moon Phases – Poster Set
Learn about the lunar cycle with this this set of posters showing the different phases of the moon.
- Plus Plan
All About Stars – Mini-Book
Learn about the stars in the night sky with this printable mini-book designed for kindergarten and first-grade students.
- Plus Plan
Day and Night Worksheets
Use this set of printable worksheets to encourage students to think about the differences between night and day.
- Plus Plan
Night and Day Word Wall
Use this set of word wall cards when teaching concepts and vocabulary related to Earth's day and night cycle.
- Plus Plan
Day and Night Cycle – Poster
Display information about Earth’s day and night cycle with this colorful science poster.
- Plus Plan
Planet Puzzle Match-Up Activity
Use your knowledge of the solar system to complete 8 different planet puzzles.
- Plus Plan
Solar System Mobile – Craft Activity
Use this printable solar system craft when learning about the planets and their position in relation to the Sun.
- Free Plan
Day and Night – Worksheet
Encourage your students to illustrate the day and night cycle with this free worksheet.
- Plus Plan
The Solar System to Scale – Poster
Display information about the order, scale, and the diameter of the planets with this colorful science poster.
- Plus Plan
Earth, Sun, and Moon – Poster Pack
Display these posters with information about the Earth, Sun, and moon in your science classroom.
- Plus Plan
The Solar System – Cut and Paste Activity
Use this cut-and-paste activity to make a mini solar system book.
- Plus Plan
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.
- Plus Plan
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.
- Plus Plan
Cause of the Seasons – Word Wall Cards
Reinforce science vocabulary in your classroom with this set of word wall cards that focus on what causes the change of seasons.
- Plus Plan
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.
- Plus Plan
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.
- Plus Plan
Phases of the Moon Bulletin Board Kit
Display information about the phases of this moon with an out-of-this-world bulletin board display.
- Plus Plan
3D Astronaut Template
Create astronauts with this 3D net.
- Plus Plan
Rotation vs. Revolution – Sorting Activity
Determine if examples are due to Earth’s rotation or revolution with this sorting activity.
- Plus Plan
Phases of the Moon – Data Worksheet
Use data to identify and predict when different phases of the moon are visible with this worksheet.
- Plus Plan
Moon Phases – Vocabulary Cards
Reinforce science vocabulary with a set of 15 vocabulary cards covering the different phases of the moon and related terms.
- Plus Plan
Moon Phases Tic-Tac-Toe (Small Group)
Identify and remember the different phases of the moon with this small group tic-tac-toe game.
- Plus Plan
Planets of Our Solar System – Worksheet
Use this worksheet to review planet order, features, and classifications.
- Plus Plan
Planet Mini-Book Collection
Read and learn about the planets of our solar system with this collection of 8 mini-books.
- Plus Plan
Mars vs. Earth - Differentiated Paired Passage Worksheets
Learn about the planets with differentiated compare and contrast passages, activities, and writing opportunities.
- Plus Plan
The Nighttime Sky - Worksheet
Explore features of the nighttime sky with this one-page worksheet.
- Plus Plan
The Daytime Sky - Worksheet
Explore features of the daytime sky with this one-page worksheet.
- Plus Plan
What Causes the Seasons? Informative Text Writing Task
Use this scaffolded writing task to have students write about how seasons change.