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25 Awesome Books about the Solar System

June 17, 2019 by Selena Robinson Leave a Comment

We just posted a fun solar system unit study a couple of weeks back, so while there are a few weeks of summer left, I thought I’d share some wonderful books about the solar system for kids of all ages!

I love videos and technology, but there is just nothing like turning the pages of a book with your child. It’s indescribable. 🙂

So, when it comes to learning, I will always come back to books, which is why I love these solar system books for kids.

25 Awesome Books about the Solar System for Kids

These solar system stories are filled with gorgeous illustrations, fun facts, and awesome activities that kids will love! They’d make a wonderful addition to a space or solar system unit.

Read on to get the full list. And for more ways to learn about outer space, take a look at All About the Solar System – a printable science unit for elementary grades!

Share a trip into space with the kids when you read these amazing books about the solar system together! These would make perfect read alouds for a solar system unit!

25 Awesome Books about the Solar System for Kids

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1. National Geographic Kids: First Big Book of Space

2. There’s No Place Like Space: All About Our Solar System (The Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library)

3. Space Encyclopedia: A Tour of Our Solar System and Beyond (National Geographic Kids)

4. Hello, World!: Solar System

5. Smithsonian: The Planets (DK Books)

6. Solar System Scratch and Sketch: An Activity Book for Inquisitive Artists and Astronauts of All Ages

7. Chasing Space: Young Readers’ Edition

8. Let’s Explore the Solar System (Planets)

9. The Planets in Our Solar System (Let’s Read and Find Out Science)

10. What’s Out There?: A Book about Space

11. The Magic School Bus 3-D: A Journey Through the Solar System

12. The Everything Kids’ Astronomy Book: Blast Into Outer Space with Stellar Facts

13. Astronomy: The Solar System (Super Smart Science)

Solar System Books for Kids to Read

14. A Journey Through Space

15. Exploring the Solar System: A History with 22 Activities

16. 13 Planets: The Latest View of the Solar System (National Geographic Kids)

17. Scholastic Reader Level 2: Solar System

18. Our Solar System: Revised Edition

19. Smart Kids Space: For Kids Who Really Love Space!

20. Let’s Explore the Solar System (Planets)

21. Astronomy for Kids: How to Explore Outer Space with Binoculars, a Telescope, or Just Your Eyes!

22. A Trip Into Space: An Adventure to the International Space Station

23. Basher Basics: Space Exploration

24. First Space Encyclopedia: A Reference Guide to Our Galaxy and Beyond

25. Space Kids: An Introduction for Young Explorers

Kids Books about the Solar System

After sharing these amazing books about the solar system with your family, don’t miss these other planetary posts!

This fun solar system-themed edible playdough is a perfect sensory activity for summer!

Help kids learn about the members of our solar system with these printable solar system flashcards! These would be wonderful for a space unit study!

Want more great book lists for kids? Check out my Reading for Kids board on Pinterest!

These incredible books about the solar system are a wonderful way to introduce kids to our planetary neighbors! These would be great for a space or solar system unit!

Filed Under: Book Lists, Reading Tagged With: book lists, books, books about the solar system, books for kids, reading, reading for kids, science, solar system, solar system books, solar system books for kids, solar system for kids

Homeschool Unit Studies: Learning about the Solar System for Kids

July 8, 2016 by Selena Robinson 6 Comments

For our latest post in the Homeschool Unit Studies series, we’re talking planets with a lesson on teaching the solar system for kids!

Many kids are fascinated with space. I know, when I was a kid, I wanted to be an astronaut. We’re from Florida originally and I really, really, really wanted to go to space camp. But, alas, it never happened. I did ride one of those anti-gravity swings at Church Street Station in Orlando, though. Not quite the same somehow. 🙂

Now that my kids are developing an interest in space, I thought I’d put together a few resources for learning the solar system. There are videos, books, and activities below that make learning about the solar system even more fun!

Learning about the Solar System for Kids

Learning the Solar System for Kids

Watch the YouTube video and have your kids answer the following questions:

(Note: The last two minutes of this video include a hypothesis that states the solar system will cease to exist in 500 million years. Personally, I don’t think that’s true. And really how would any human even think they know what will happen that far into the future? But I just wanted to give you a heads-up in case you want to skip it. None of the questions below are about that part of the video.)

  1. How old do scientists think the solar system is? Answer: 4.5 billion years old
  2. How often does the solar system circle the galactic center? Answer: Once every 250 million years
  3. Name the four terrestrial planets in our solar system: Answer: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars
  4. Name the four gas giants in our solar system: Answer: Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
  5. Why does Mercury experience large temperature fluctuations? Answer: Because a Mercury year is shorter than a Mercury day.
  6. How hot does temperature get on Venus? Answer: Up to 497 degrees Celsius
  7. Why is Earth able to sustain life? Answer: Because temperatures are moderate enough to retain a water supply.
  8. Name the largest mountain on Mars: Answer: Olympus Mons (It’s also the largest mountain on any planet in the solar system.)
  9. What two gases comprise most of Jupiter? Answer: Hydrogen and Helium
  10. How many moons does Saturn have? Answer: 62
  11. What makes Uranus unique? Answer: Its axis of rotation is tilted sideways.
  12. How long is a Neptune year? Answer: 164 Earth years
  13. How much of the solar system’s mass is made up by the sun? Answer: 99.86%
  14. Where is Pluto located? Answer: In the Kuiper Belt at the edge of the solar system

And for all of my oldheads, here’s a classic way to teach kids about the planets:

Of course, back then we said “nine planets”, but it’s still a good way to memorize each one. 😉

Books about the Solar System:

Read these great picture books as a way to introduce the solar system for kids!

  1. There’s No Place Like Space: All About Our Solar System (The Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library)
  2. National Geographic Kids: First Big Book of Space
  3. Solar System: A Visual Exploration of All the Planets, Moons, and Other Heavenly Bodies That Orbit Our Sun
  4. The Magic School Bus Lost in the Solar System

Solar System Crafts for Kids:

These solar system crafts and activities are fun, hands-on ways to make the solar system real to little ones!

  1. Paper Mache Solar System – Red Ted Art
  2. Flashlight Solar System – Kids Activities Blog
  3. Solar System Bracelet Craft – Still Playing School
  4. Solar System I-Spy Bag – Research Parent

Don’t miss our free printable Solar System Flashcards!

Free Printable Flashcards: Solar System - Look! We're Learning!

And see more of our solar system activities below!

This printable pack teaches kids all about the members of our solar system! Such a great idea for an outer space unit!

Kids Books about the Solar System

Get more ideas for homeschool unit studies on my Unit Studies Pinterest board!

This post is part of the Solar System Unit Study Roundup! Check out more great ideas to teach the solar system for kids below!

10 Fun Children’s Books about Space from Crafty Mama in ME

Learning about the Solar System for Kids from Look! We’re Learning!

Children’s Astronaut Books from The Jenny Evolution

Melted Bead Planet Mobile from Schooling a Monkey

Stargazing Apps for Kids from iGameMom

Space sensory salt tray activities from The Usual Mayhem

How to Spot Meteors When Camping from FrogMom


Filed Under: Science, Unit Studies Tagged With: homeschool science, homeschool unit studies, science, solar system, solar system for kids, solar system unit study, unit studies, unit study

Hi! I'm Selena, an A.D.D. mom married to an A.D.D. husband. We're parenting two kids with A.D.D., one with A.D.H.D., and an energetic elementary learner.
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