What this lesson teaches
This activity teaches children about the relative sizes and distances of planets in our solar system. By building a physical model, they grasp abstract concepts of scale and space in a tangible way.
Can you finish solar system sliders in about 30 min?
You will this activity teaches children about the relative sizes and distances of planets in our solar system.
Sign in to start the full activity flow, save this lesson, print a learner version, and track XP. The preview below is public so parents and educators can evaluate the activity before joining.
This activity teaches children about the relative sizes and distances of planets in our solar system. By building a physical model, they grasp abstract concepts of scale and space in a tangible way.
Creating a model engages embodied cognition, allowing children to visualize and feel distances through movement. By manipulating objects, they actively interact with the content, making it memorable and easier to understand.
1. Gather 1 large cardboard sheet (1m x 1m) to represent the solar system. 2. Use 9 different-sized balls or objects to represent planets (like marbles, balls, or fruits). 3. Arrange the objects in order from the Sun (center) to Pluto (outer edge) based on relative size. 4. Use a ruler to measure and mark distances on the cardboard sheet — Sun to Mercury should be 5 cm, and so on. 5. Draw lines connecting each planet to the Sun to show their orbits. 6. Share your model with family members — explain the distances and sizes you represented!