Solar System  Mobile
Ages 7 and up with an adult

For older kids who are learning about space in their classrooms, creating a solar system sun mobile is a great way to tie everything they’ve been learning and doing from the comfort of their home. Plus, it makes for an eye-catching addition that any kid would love to have in their room! This activity requires students to be hands on, attentive, and to critically think about our solar system. What colors are the different planets? What size and shape are they? How far away are they from the sun? And so much more! Note: this activity requires the use of an iron thus should be done with an adult.

 

Materials

  • Crayons 
  • Plastic cups, or other containers 
  • Scissors
  • String
  • Marker 
  • Hole puncher
  • Wax paper
  • Pencil sharpener
  • Tape
  • Iron

Directions

  1. Once you’ve created your shavings, cut 9 sheets of wax paper
  2. Add one cup of shavings to one of the sheets of wax paper. Fold the wax paper over the shavings, and press the heated iron on top of the wax paper. The melting process should only take 2-5 seconds, so it’s important to not leave the iron fully sitting on top of the paper or else the crayon might leak out the sides of the paper. 
  3. Repeat the process with the other 7 planets. 
  4. Once wax paper has cooled, draw an outline of the planet size and shape with your marker. Use your scissors to cute the shape out.
  5. Use your hole punch to punch a hole near the top of the planets and Sun. 
  6. Tie one end of string through the hole punch, repeat process until all planets have a string attached. 
  7. Lay tape sticky side up on the table and attach the free end of the strings to the tape. Add them with varying lengths and spaced apart from each other and the sun like how the planets are in the solar system. 
  8. Once all planets and the Sun are attached to the tape, stick your tape to the window and explore the solar system!

 

It’s Black History Month!
Each of our STEAM Learning Labs this month will highlight an important figure in Black History. These bright, colorful wax planets remind us of the art of Kehinde Wiley. Check out a virtual exhibit here.