Get lost in space and have fun learning about it while building a model solar system. Solar system kits range from hanging mobiles to motorized models to 3D puzzles. Here are some of the best to keep your child intrigued and busy while also learning about the universe.
4M 3D Glow-in-the-dark Solar System Kit
Bring space alive
This 3D solar system glows. It hangs from the ceiling as a mobile when it is done and comes with the hangers and string needed to display it. Each of the nine plants is made with crevices and rings for a more realistic representation. It also has enough paint and illustrated instructions, so you can paint them to look lifelike. There is only a single paintbrush that comes with the 4M 3D glow-in-the-dark solar system kit.
FloraCraft Foam Pre-Painted Kit
No mess assembly
Just because your child is too small to paint a full solar system by themselves doesn’t mean they can't build a model themselves. The FloraCraft pre-painted solar system kit is made from craft grade Styrofoam and comes ready to assemble. There is a base to set the finished solar system model for easy display. Each piece is colorful and clearly represents each of the nine planets. The center, stabilizing piece is also the sun, so nothing about this model detracts from the overall finished product.
Peachy Keen Crafts DYI Solar System Mobile Kit
Make it your own
Everything about this DIY solar system is about making it your own. The planet pieces and all the decorative stars get to be painted by your little one. It includes glow in the dark stickers and other decorative stickers that you can place strategically around the mobile or add it to your child’s bedroom ceiling and wall to extend the theme of the solar system mobile to their decor. Once assembled with the included string, this mobile hangs an impressive 27 inches long. All nine planets, the sun, acrylic paints, and a paintbrush come in this kit.
Educational Insights GeoSafari Motorized Solar System Model Kit
Day and night observations
This solar system kit is a model that sits on a motorized base and rotates to mimic the planet’s orbits around the sun. None of the pieces need to be painted or decorated, just put together. The instructions are easy enough for most children to follow on their own. The centerpiece glows bright yellow to mimic the sun, but can also be switched to show the placement of popular constellations and zodiac signs. AA batteries are required for the sun to light up and the motor to rotate the model. These are not included with the solar system kit.
Chanys Space Kids Solar System Puzzle Kit
Built it piece by piece
This solar system building kit is unique because it is actually a 3D puzzle. The 146-piece puzzle creates a fun three-dimensional diorama with slots and spaces to set and move planets at will. The base, which is also part of the puzzle, is marked with orbits and informational tidbits, so you learn about the solar system as you build it. Once done, this puzzle can be displayed as a fun conversation piece and easily fits in with your room’s space decor.
Discovery 3D Solar System Kit
A nice little challenge
This solar system kit by Discovery is a good balance between allowing creativity without making it too complex. Each of the planets comes with their base color already applied. But there is paint and instructions on how to put the finishing touches on them yourself, like Jupiter’s sunspot and Neptune’s wavy blue lines. The planets and sun models have an eye hook on them to make it easier to string and hang them. You can decide how and where to hang them. You can create a hanger using dowels, or string them to a clothes hanger. You can also hang them directly from your ceiling, so you’re not confined to a small space.
The worlds are in your hands
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The 4M 3D glow-in-the-dark solar system kit lets you paint each piece and build a complete solar system from the ground up. When done it hangs from the included dowels to create a mobile that hangs from the ceiling. The Discovery 3D solar system kit is also a mobile, but it doesn’t require as much painting, and therefore not as much mess to assemble.
If you’d prefer a standing model of the solar system, the Educational Insights GeoSafari kit comes ready to assemble. Its base is motorized while the center is both a light-up sun and a star projecting dome.
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