Students love learning about space! Teaching the order of the planets from the sun is such a fun lesson, and students love making this Planet Flipbook. I created this flipbook as a hands-on way for students to learn the order of the planets, but also to pull in some fine motor skills practice.
To begin this activity, I introduce the sun and each planet, showing pictures and sharing interesting facts about each one.
This post contains affiliate links to products I personally recommend. Click here to read my full disclosure policy. Thank you for supporting Inspired Elementary.
Next, I have prepared pre-made flip book templates and a page of circles to cut out (directions below). We used this construction paper.
I hand draw the different sized circles to represent each planet. Here’s what it looked like when glued down. I bet you can easily spot Jupiter!
Another option, instead of using blank circles for the planets, is to use this FREE PLANET SHEET (see below) and have students cut out each planet.
Once the sun is cut out, cut it in half to fit at the top of the flip book.
After the sun and planets are all glued down in the correct order, we write the names of each plant behind the flaps (using a white crayon). We use this flip book to give each other clues and play “Guess That Planet!”
Here’s a picture showing the dimensions of each flap for the flip book, starting from the top measuring down. This is a great project to have a parent volunteer prep for you!
There are tons of great sites for finding fun facts about the plants. One site that we have used and love is Planets for kids.
Here’s another fun activity we do showing the order of the planets from the sun and how they orbit. All you need is black construction paper, colored construction paper for the planets, a glue stick, scissors and a white crayon!
HI, LOVE THIS IDEA AND CUT OUT.
Thank you so much!! from South-Korea
Thank you so much!! from.south-korea
Excelent! I like it a lot.
I'm going to try this craft activity with my Brownie unit tomorrow night as we have a trip to the Space Center in Leicester planned later this term. Thank you for the inspiration.
Creo que es buena forma de introducir a mi hija de 5 años, en el maravilloso mundo de la Astronomía.
Ella disfruta mucho dibujando, y lo hará también dibujando nuestro Sistema Solar
Simply amazing idea!
amazing!!! thank you so much for this wonderful idea!
Perfect! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing you ideas!!
From Spain, wonderful ideas!!! Thanks for sharing…
Excellent: Thanks : From Thailand
Love it!
Thank you! Great activity!
Muchas gracias por compartir tu ideas son muy ingeniosas
IT IS VERY NICE THANK YOU FOR SHARING THIS