By Angela Reinholz
Updated Mar 24, 2022
Students in school learn about the solar system as part of their science curriculum. Building a hanging mobile model not only helps children remember planet names, but also visualizes each planet’s relative distance from the Sun. This hands‑on activity encourages creativity and reinforces orbital concepts. The finished mobile can be hung, letting the Sun and planets drift freely, creating a dynamic learning aid.
Locate the center of the circular cardboard by measuring the diameter in both directions with a ruler. Mark the center with a pencil and draw a vertical and a horizontal line to form a cross that will guide the placement of the planets.
Using a compass, draw nine circles on the cardboard. Position four circles near the center for the inner planets, and five circles farther out for the outer planets. The central dot will represent the Sun.
Create a single hole through each circle with a careful cut. The holes should be arranged so the planets appear to orbit the Sun when the mobile is suspended.
Cut nine lengths of string ranging from one foot to six inches. Thread each string through a hole, tie a knot to secure it, and let the remainder of the string hang to suspend the planet.
Draw circles of varying sizes on colored paper or construction paper. Cut out shapes for the Sun (yellow or orange) and the eight planets, and include a small circle for the dwarf planet.
Make a hole in the Sun and attach it to a string, positioning it at the center of the mobile. Repeat the process for each planet, placing them in the order Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and the outer dwarf planet Pluto, as recommended by Enchanted Learning.
Cut three eight‑inch strings and tie them together at the top of the mobile. Secure the assembly with tape, then attach a final six‑inch string to hang the entire mobile. Rotate the top circle gently to watch the planets orbit the Sun.
