Fingerprint Solar System Craft Activity for Kids

Have you ever wondered how to make science activities for kids more engaging and memorable? This fingerprint solar system craft is a fantastic way to help children remember the order of the planets, and it’s super adorable, too!

When learning about space, young minds often struggle to recall the sequence of planets. This fun and educational STEAM project simplifies that process and brings creativity into learning. The best part? It’s easy to create, whether you’re at home or in school. Your kids will love getting their hands messy while exploring the wonders of our universe!

Kids of all ages are fascinated by space and planets. And, they love to get messy! This fun activity combines science and art into one space-based project.

Science is an important subject to learn about early on. It can inspire them (every kid at some point wants to be an astronaut at some point, right?!), to think critically about the world around them, and, working on facts is an important critical thinking skill to work on at any age.

These skills serve as a building block for every topic they’ll encounter as they grow inside and outside of the classroom.

Learning Benefits of the Fingerprint Solar System Activity

After an introduction to the solar system, ask the kids if they can remember the order of the planets. You’ll likely find that they don’t remember their names, no matter how much they love them.

This fun scientific art activity will remedy that in a way they’ll always remember!

Enhancing Fine Motor Skills

Fine motor skills come into play as they dip their fingers into individual paint colors, working to get just the right amount on to make a planet.

This is a great opportunity for the littles to work on color recognition, too. Placing a planet on the stick and sizing it in relation to the other ones is a lesson in precision.

Marking the names or initials of the planets and drawing rings around them with a pen is also a great fine motor skills activity, as the child must make sure the mark is legible and stays in the space given.

Printable Space Playdough MatsSolar System Directed Drawing

 

Understanding Basic Astronomy

Using a diagram to arrange the planets and correctly name them is a super skill-builder for budding scientists.

It requires concentration, copying factual information, assessing a picture, and recreating it accurately.

These are great skills to have for creating more involved, larger art projects and as a base for more complicated scientific endeavors.

Budding scientists will love this fingerprint solar system activity! While it’s a great stand-alone activity, it can also be part of a small unit on outer space and the planets for small kids.

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Learning Resources Giant Inflatable Solar SystemDiscovery 2-in-1 Reversible Planetarium Space ProjectorSolar System Puzzle for KidsGreat Explorations | 3-D Solar System Glow In The Dark Ceiling Hanging KitNATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Kids Solar System Window Art KitOuter Space Travel Felt-Board Story Set

 

Fun Outer Space Crafts for Kids

Crafting is not only a delightful and creative endeavor for kids but also an exceptional gateway to spark their interest in space and science.

By engaging in these fun outer space crafts, children can explore the mysteries of the universe and develop a fascination for astronomical concepts.

These activities combine creativity with education, providing a playful and hands-on approach to learning about the vast wonders of space.

Here are some exciting outer space crafts to inspire your young star-gazers:

• Coffee Filter Earth Craft
• Rocket Toilet Paper Roll Craft
• Earth Suncatcher Craft
• Paper Plate Space Craft
• Torn Paper Earth Craft

Shop some of my favorite craft supplies on Amazon!

Fingerprint Solar System Craft Tutorial

Fingerprint Solar System Supplies:

To create this delightful fingerprint solar system craft, you’ll need a few simple supplies.

Gather some washable paint in various colors to represent each planet, ensuring it’s safe and easy to clean up.

A sturdy wooden paint stick will act as the base for your solar system, providing a surface to arrange your planets.

A pen or fine-tipped marker is essential for labeling each planet with its name or initials and drawing any necessary details like rings.

A small piece of sandpaper can be used to gently roughen the surface of the paint stick, helping the paint adhere better. Keep a cleaning cloth handy for wiping messy fingers between planets.

Lastly, a solar system diagram will guide the placement of the planets in their correct sequence, ensuring an accurate and educational craft experience.

Tru-Ray Construction Paper, 10 Vibrant ColorsDarice 1000 Pcs Popsicle StickMulti-Color Pom Poms, 1200pcs Assorted Size & ColorCrayola Mini Twistables Crayons (50ct), Crayons for Toddlers, 3+Elmer’s All Purpose Glue Sticks, WashableFiskars Training Scissors for Kids 3+ with Easy Grip (3-Pack) – Toddler Safety Scissors

 

How to Make a Fingerprint Solar System Craft

Start by sanding your paint sticks with sandpaper. Sometimes paint sticks can be rough, and might give the kids splinters. Wipe any remaining sawdust away with a damp cloth.

Alternatively, you could use jumbo craft sticks instead.

Get out several colors of paint: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, brown, and white. Use a diagram of the solar system to determine the order of the planets.

The correct order is:
Sun
Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune

You can let kids pick the colors they want to use for each planet more or less, but we did the following colors:

Sun: Yellow
Mercury: Red
Venus: Green
Earth: Blue and green
Mars: Orange
Jupiter: Brown
Saturn: White
Uranus: Blue
Neptune: Blue

Wait for the paint to dry. Once the paint is dry, write the names of each planet (or just do an initial) under each planet. Draw rings around Saturn and Uranus if you like.

Use the fingerprint planets as a tool for remembering the order of the planets in the solar system.

Kids can also use the paint sticks as bookmarks or decorations for their rooms.

Recommended Books About Space for Kids

These out-of-this-world books will help inspire future scientists and serve as a fantastic introduction to the project.

Whether you’re a budding astronomer or a curious mind eager to explore the cosmos, these fiction and non-fiction books will captivate your imagination and expand your knowledge.

Here are some of our favorite reads that are sure to ignite your passion for science and discovery.

“There’s No Place Like Space! All About Our Solar System” by Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library: Dive into a whimsical solar system exploration with the Cat in the Hat, making complex astronomical concepts accessible and fun for young readers.

“My First Book of Planets: All About the Solar System for Kids” by Dr. Bruce Betts: This engaging book introduces young children to the wonders of the solar system, explaining each planet with simple language and vibrant illustrations.

There’s No Place Like Space! All About Our Solar System (The Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library)My First Book of Planets: All About the Solar System for KidsSolar System for Kids: A Junior Scientist’s Guide to Planets, Dwarf Planets, and Everything Circling Our SunThe Solar System: Astronomy Book for Kids, Ages 6-10, a Journey of Discovery of the Sun, Planets and Their MoonsPlanets and the Solar System (Smithsonian Kids First Discovery Books)Astronomy Activity Book for Kids: 100+ Fun Ways to Learn About Space and Stargazing

 

“Solar System for Kids: A Junior Scientist’s Guide to Planets, Dwarf Planets, and Everything Circling Our Sun” by Hilary Statum: A comprehensive guide that provides young scientists with in-depth knowledge about planets, dwarf planets, and other fascinating celestial phenomena.

“The Solar System: Astronomy Books for Kids” by Gabriele Ciancuto: This descriptive book shares colorful images and interesting facts, making it perfect for children eager to learn about the planets and the vastness of space.

“I Am the Solar System” by Rebecca and James McDonald: An imaginative and educational journey through the solar system from the perspective of the celestial bodies themselves, captivating young readers with its unique storytelling approach.

Additional Science Activities for Young Kids

These additional science activities provide even more opportunities for young kids to engage in hands-on, educational fun.

By delving into these creative and interactive projects, children can playfully explore various scientific concepts, stimulating their curiosity and fostering a love for learning.

Here are some more exciting activities to try:

• How to Make Out of This World Galaxy Oobleck
• Viscosity Art Project
• Walking Water Experiment
• Fizzy Bottle Caps Experiment
• Unicorn Density Tower Experiment

Crafting a fingerprint solar system is an enjoyable and creative activity for kids and an educational experience that introduces them to the wonders of space.

This hands-on project fosters curiosity, enhances artistic expression, and helps kids grasp scientific concepts in a fun and engaging way.

We encourage parents and caregivers to try this craft with their children and explore the additional activities provided to further stimulate learning and creativity.

By merging creativity with education, we create a rich and compelling learning environment. Be sure to subscribe to our blog for more craft ideas and educational activities that inspire young learners!