Other Activities to Try
Galaxy Sensory Bin
Note: This activity can be used repeatedly for as ever long as it holds interest to your learner!

Materials (Use what you have!)

• Base: Black beans, dyed black or dark blue rice, lentils, or kinetic sand
• Stars/Planets: Glow-in-the-dark stars, marbles, pom-poms, small bouncy balls, glass gems, or beads (obviously be mindful of choke-able items for young children)
• Galaxies: Swirled pipe cleaners, sparkly ribbon, spiral cut paper, or corks with glitter
• Extras:

• Small bowls or lids
• Scoops/spoons/tweezers = for fine motor practice
• LED tea lights = glowing stars or suns
• Space toys (optional)

• Potential Add In Ideas:

• Space Toob 
• Planets 
• Learning Resources Helping Hands Fine Motor Tool Set Toy

Guided Play & Learning Prompts
“Can you find all the stars?”
“Which planets are close to the sun? Which are far away?”
“Make a planet orbit the sun—what shape does it make?”
“Can you sort the stars by size or color?”

Optional Extensions

• Art: Let kids sketch what they built, then label it: galaxy, star, orbit, planet, etc.
• Math: Count stars and planets, sort by size or color, or measure distances with a ruler.
• Storytelling: “Imagine your galaxy has aliens—what are they like? Where do they live?”

Model the Solar SystemModels help kids see and feel the scale, layout, and motion of the solar system. While no model is perfect (space is really big!), hands-on projects make learning more memorable.

1. DIY Low-Cost & Upcycled Versions
Use what you have!

• Playdough Planets: Use different sizes/colors to show planet differences. (hint: use a CD for Saturn’s rings!)
• Bottle Caps / Lids: Sort by size and paint them for planets.
• Paper Circles: Cut and color from construction paper, scrap paper, or cereal boxes (or use a coloring sheet!) 
• Printable Mobile Version

2. Kit Options
There are tons of kits available—from dollar store foam balls to more detailed STEM sets.

Foam Ball Kits: Great for painting and labeling. (Generic Example) 
Glow-in-the-Dark Model
Misc Example

3. More Accurate Versions
Playdough + Household Items
Uses toilet paper to mark distance!
NASA’s JPL has an AMAZING project for scale (advanced)

Discussion Prompts 

• “Why do the outer planets take longer to go around the Sun?”
• “Which planet would you want to live on?”
• “What’s the hottest? Smallest? Furthest?”