The plants revolve around the Sun, and moons revolve around some planets. Using foam balls and rings, students can create a model of our solar system. Have students choose appropriately sized foam balls for each planet and the Earth's moon. Next, have the students paint or color the balls and Saturn's rings in the correct colors and patterns. Assemble the solar system, using trimmed dowel rods or coffee stir sticks. Align the planets, using the dowel rods or stirs to stick them into the central Sun, and connect the Earth and its moon, to make the planets appear in orbit around the Sun. Glue the stirs or rods in place if needed.
A large band of bodies that orbit outside of Neptune's orbit are named the Kuiper Belt. Although only a recent discovery, the Kuiper Belt can provide an interesting and unusual solar system project for students. The objects in the belt are thought to be comets of varying sizes. Students can create a Kuiper Belt 3-D picture by gluing chunks of broken cereal rings to construction paper. First have the students cut out or draw a picture of Neptune, then assemble the cereal pieces around Neptune, using small and large pieces for a more dramatic effect.
Students can create a model of the planets with the use of small foam balls, construction paper, yarn and a shoe box with a detachable lid. Toss out the lid, and have students glue black construction paper to the inside of the shoe box. They can decorate the inside of the box with star stickers or draw constellations on the paper with white or yellow crayon if desired. Have the students decorate the foam balls to match the colors and patterns of the planets and the Sun. Glue strips of yarn to each planet and the Sun, then glue the planets inside the shoe box starting with the Sun, and continuing on to Neptune. Glue the Sun and planets so each hangs down in a line.
A mobile allows students to see how the planets revolve around the Sun. Find the center of a large, cardboard circle by using a compass. Draw the orbit of the eight planets around the central Sun with the compass. Using a hole punch, make a hole in the center of the cardboard circle where the Sun will hang, then punch eight more holes at random spots on each drawn orbit circle. Cut out pictures or drawings of the planets and Sun, then tape a strip of string to each picture. Starting with the Sun in the center, lace the strings through each hole and tape them securely to the top of the cardboard circle. Attach three strips of string to the sides of the cardboard circle, gathering and tying them together so the mobile can hang and spin freely with the Sun and planets dangling below.