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!
- Free Plan
Phases of the Moon – Comprehension Worksheet
Analyze different moon phases and how their visual appearances change over time with this reading comprehension worksheet.
- Free Plan
If I Could Create My Own Planet Craft Template
Explore planets and let your students get creative by developing their own planet.
- Free Plan
Moon Phases – Cut and Paste Activity
Create a diagram showing the different moon phases and their names with this cut-and-paste activity sheet.
- Free Plan
Day and Night – Worksheet
Encourage your students to illustrate the day and night cycle with this free worksheet.
- Plus Plan
Planets Fact Sheets and Comprehension Worksheets
Learn the facts of each of the planets in our solar system with these fact files and matching comprehension worksheets.
- Plus Plan
Mindfulness Planet Coloring Pages
Get mindful with this set of planet-themed mindful coloring sheets.
- Plus Plan
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.
- Free Plan
Inner vs. Outer Planets – Cut and Paste Worksheet
Sort inner and outer planets with this cut-and-paste science worksheet.
- Free Plan
Free Planet Coloring Pages
Use these black and white planet templates as coloring pages for your students.
- Plus Plan
Earth, Sun, and Moon – Comprehension Worksheet
Read about and compare physical characteristics of the Eath, sun, and moon with this reading comprehension sheet.
- Free Plan
Phases of the Moon – Worksheet
Label the phases of the moon as they appear in the northern hemisphere with this printable science worksheet.
- 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
Planet Mini-Book Collection
Read and learn about the planets of our solar system with this collection of 8 mini-books.
- Plus Plan
Planets of the Solar System Posters
Use this set of visually striking and informative posters about the planets of our solar system in your classroom.
- Free Plan
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.
- Plus Plan
Planet Research Templates
Explore the planets with these printable planet research templates to use with your students.
- Plus Plan
Design a Planet Project
Explore the different planets during this design your own planet project for kids.
- Plus Plan
Order of the Planets Display Banner
Display this banner visually showing the order of the planets for students when they learning about the solar system.
- Plus Plan
Order the Planets Worksheet
Help students remember the order of the planets with this cut-and-paste style worksheet.
- Plus Plan
Planets Collaborative Coloring Display
Combine coloring with awareness of the planets and the solar system with this collaborative coloring sheet.
- Plus Plan
Planets Flipbook
Discover each of the planets of the solar system with this engaging flip book template.
- Plus Plan
Which Planet Am I? Interactive Activity
Explore the planets of the solar system with this fun and engaging interactive activity.
- Plus Plan
Planet Bookmark
Help students remember the order of the planets with these personalized planet bookmarks.
- Plus Plan
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.
- Free Plan
Space - Word Wall Vocabulary
Use these space vocabulary words and space terms to unlock the solar system for your elementary students as they learn about space, the solar system, and the world far beyond your school.
- Plus Plan
Objects in the Sky – Mini Workbook
Observe, describe, and illustrate different objects in the sky with this printable mini-workbook.
- Plus Plan
Objects in the Sky – Worksheet Pack
Use this set of worksheets to practice identifying and labeling objects in the sky as well as describing the moon, stars, sun, and clouds.
- 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 – Writing Prompts
Describe objects in the sky such as the clouds, moon, and sun with this set of 8 writing prompts.
- Plus Plan
Day and Night Cycle – Poster
Display information about Earth’s day and night cycle with this colorful science poster.
- 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
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.