By Ruth O'Neil
Updated Mar 24, 2022
Creating a solar system model with your students or children is a powerful way to bring astronomy into the classroom or living room. Hands‑on construction helps learners visualise orbital motion, relative planet sizes, and the hierarchy of the Solar System. This guide walks you through a weekend project that balances creativity, education, and fun.
Place one Styrofoam ball on each paper plate. Label both the plate and the ball with the planet’s name and diameter:
Pour a suitable shade of paint onto each plate. Coat the Styrofoam ball completely, taking care to cover every surface. Allow the paint to dry fully before moving on.
Cut a circular cardstock that snugly fits around the Saturn ball. Punch a hole in the center, then draw concentric rings with a marker. Glue the cardstock rings onto the Saturn ball, ensuring they sit flush against the surface.
Insert a wooden skewer through each painted ball. Attach the Sun’s skewer to one end of a floral‑foam block. Place the remaining planets in order, moving away from the Sun, and secure each skewer into the foam. If the planets crowd the line, stagger the skewers slightly to keep them separated.
Use skewers to hold Styrofoam balls while painting, preventing mess. Once dry, embed the skewers into the foam block. If the line of planets seems cramped, offset the skewers to create space. For Saturn’s rings, carve a shallow groove on the ball’s circumference with a skewer tip, then slide in the glued cardstock rings.
Enjoy watching your children or students marvel at the tangible Solar System they’ve built!
