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Planets of our solar system

  1. SunMercuryVenusEarthMarsJupiterSaturnUranusNeptuneSizes are not to scale

    The Sun and its planets

    Eight planets travel around the Sun. Together they make our solar system. The Sun sits in the middle. It is a star, not a planet. Tap a planet below.

    1. 1Mercury
      1
    2. 2Venus
      2
    3. 3Earth
      3
    4. 4Mars
      4

    Four rocky planets

    Closest to the Sun are Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars. They are small and made of rock. Earth is third. Mars looks red because of rusty dust.

  3. Saturn and its wide rings Real photo

    Four giant planets

    Next come Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. They are giants with no hard ground to stand on. Saturn has the biggest rings, made of ice and rock. Neptune is the farthest from the Sun.

  4. EarthUranusSaturnJupiterSizes are to scale

    How big are they?

    Jupiter is the biggest planet. About 11 Earths could line up across it. Mercury is the smallest. Tap Next to put each planet beside Earth.

  5. Mercury
    closest
    Venus
    hottest

    Closest is not hottest

    Mercury is closest to the Sun. But Venus is the hottest planet. Its thick air traps heat, like a blanket.

  6. Our planet Earth from space, with blue oceans and white clouds Real photo

    Earth is special

    Earth is the only planet we know with living things. It has water and air for plants, animals and people.

For parents

Goal: Your child learns the eight planets in order, how their sizes compare, and one fact about several of them.

  • Say the planet order together a few times, like a song.
  • Ask: which planet is closest to the Sun? Which one is hottest?
  • Ask: why can we live on Earth but not on the other planets?

Away from the screen: Line up eight fruits or balls of different sizes on the floor in planet order, with a lamp as the Sun. Use a grape for Earth and a big watermelon for Jupiter. Let your child walk past and name each one.

Science · Planets, stars and space
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