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 primary teachers for your classroom!
Aligned with Australian science 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!
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 orbiting 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 made up 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 3000!
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
Earth's Rotation and Revolution – Teaching Presentation
Explore the difference between rotation and revolution while learning about the day and night cycle, what causes the seasons to change and more with this teaching presentation.
- Plus Plan
Planets of the Solar System Factbook & Worksheet
Bring the planets in the solar system into focus with a fun worksheet that can be turned into a factbook!
- Plus Plan
How to Make a Sundial
Print this sundial science worksheet, and follow the instructions to make a sundial with your students when exploring concepts of time.
- Plus Plan
Science Experiment - Changing Shadows
Explore how shadows change throughout the day with this hands-on science experiment.
- Plus Plan
Day and Night Mini-Book
Learn about the differences between night and day with this printable mini-book.
- Free Plan
What About Me? Other Regions and Objects of the Solar System
Explore other features in the solar system besides the sun and the planets with this one-page worksheet.
- Plus Plan
Objects in the Sky – Teaching Presentation
Teach your students about the moon, sun, stars and clouds with this 24-slide teaching presentation.
- Free Plan
Phases of the Moon – Data Worksheet
- 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
Inner vs. Outer Planets – Cut and Paste Worksheet
Sort inner and outer solar system planets with this cut-and-paste science worksheet.
- Plus Plan
We Are Moving Project
An Earth and Space project that develops knowledge and understanding of scientific concepts, research skills and writing skills.
- Plus Plan
Aboriginal Interpretations of the Night Sky Worksheet
A worksheet that explores how Aboriginal peoples interpreted the night sky.
- Plus Plan
Interplay of the Sun, Earth and Moon Poster
A poster showing the interplay of the Sun, Earth and Moon.
- Plus Plan
Order of the Planets Display Banner
Display this banner visually showing the order of the planets for students when they are learning about the solar system.
- Plus Plan
Sun Observation Project
Use observations of the sun to describe patterns that can be predicted with this journal project.
- Free Plan
Sun Facts Writing Template
Research, write and display information about the sun with this printable sun template.
- Plus Plan
Space Adventure Board Game
Review the order of the planets with a fun space adventure board game.
- Plus Plan
The Solar System - Planets in Order
Show the planets in order with this beautifully designed printable science poster.
- Plus Plan
Individual Planet Posters
Use this set of posters with your space unit to teach about the individual planets.
- 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
Moon Phases Mini-Book
Read, learn and complete comprehension exercises while studying the 8 moon phases.
- Plus Plan
The Moon of Planet Earth Worksheet
Engage your students with a high-interest reading passage about the moon with this informative article and accompanying response sheet.
- Plus Plan
Rotation vs. Revolution – Cut and Paste Worksheet
Demonstrate an understanding of rotation vs. revolution with this cut and paste worksheet.
- Plus Plan
Earth, Sun and Moon Pictures
Colourful pictures of the sun, Earth and moon.
- Plus Plan
Moon Facts Writing Template
Describe and illustrate information about the moon with a printable writing template.
- Plus Plan
Earth and Space Vocabulary Posters
Display this set of 18 mini-posters in your classroom when learning about Earth and space vocabulary.
- Plus Plan
Objects in the Sky – Mini Workbook
Observe, describe and illustrate different objects in the sky with this printable mini-workbook.
- Plus Plan
Celestial Bodies – Earth, Sun and Moon – Teaching Presentation
Learn information about the Earth, sun and moon while comparing the physical characteristics of each with this 22-slide teaching presentation.
- Plus Plan
Day and Night Cycle Poster
Display information about Earth’s day and night cycle with this colourful science poster.
- Plus Plan
Planet Puzzle Match-Up Activity
Use your knowledge of the solar system to complete 8 different planet puzzles.
- Plus Plan
All About the Sun – Comprehension Worksheet
Integrate science and reading while learning about the Sun with this comprehension worksheet.
- Plus Plan
Oreo® Moon Phases Worksheet
Explore moon phases with Oreos® in this tasty worksheet.