Kids will be fascinated and engaged in our Inner Planets activities to help kids learn about the solar systems 4 inner planets. The science unit covers Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars with lots of hands on science experiments and free worksheets for kids.
Hands on Solar System Unit
- The Sun
- The Moon & Astronauts
- Inner Planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars)
- Outer Planets (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune)
- Pluto, Asteroid Belt, Comets, and Stars
Inner Planets
Mercury
Venus
Venus Science Experiment
To help the kids understand that Venus was so hot that rocks melted we set up this simple science experiment. We made a mound by overturning a custard dish and covering it and the surrounding area with flour. I showed them a 1/4 stick of butter was solid like rocks. I melted it in the microwave just like the heat melts rocks on Venus. Then we poured it over the center of the overturned custard dish so the kids would see it form streams. When it cooled down the butter turned back hard, just like the rocks on Venus.
Earth
Earth Science Experiment
Mars
Homemade Volcano
4 Inner Planets
Solar System Activities
Looking for more fun, hands on science activities to teach kids about astronomy or to round out your solar system for kids unit. You will love these hands on solar system activities and lessons:
- The Sun for Kids
- Moon for Kids & Astronauts Too
- Inner Planets for Kids (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars)
- Outer Planets for Kids (Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune)
- Pluto, Asteroid Belt, Comets, and Stars
- Yarn Solar System
- Paint Stick Solar System Project
- Pipe Cleaner Constellations – fun hands on constellation activity for kids
- Simple Galaxy Science Project
- Looking for more fun, engaging, creative, and memorable moon projects for kids? You will love this 50 Moon Crafts & Activities for Kids collection with the best ideas from the whole internet!
- TONS of really cool Solar System Project Ideas for kids of all ages
Free Solar System Printables
Plus, don’t forget to add these free solar system worksheets and printables to your lesson plan:
- HUGE pack of Free Solar System Worksheets for elementary age kids
- Solar system worksheets for kindergarten with solar system themed math and literacy activities for preschoolers, kindergartners, and grade 1 students
- Simple Astronaut Coloring Pages
- Solar System Coloring Pages to read, learn, and color the solar system
- Printable Constellations Book for children to learn about stars and the patterns they make in the night sky
- Cootie Catcher Constellation Printable
- Free Constellation Flashcards
- Moon Phases Worksheets
- Planets Printable Book for students to learn about all the planets in our solar system
- Moon Phases Printable Mini Book for kids to learn about the phases of the moon
Loved the activities/experiments we just completed for the inner planets with our 2nd grader and pre-schooler!