How to Make a Planet Using a Foam Ball

Use a model to show kids what the solar system looks like.

For children, the solar system is a mysterious place, filled with strange planets and covered with a blanket of seemingly endless stars. Kids cannot visit outer space, but with some colorfully painted foam balls, you can help them create a model solar system that puts each planet in perspective. Foam balls of various sizes let children see the planet's color and size differences, as well as the approximate distance from the Sun.

Things You'll Need

• Foam ball
• Tempera paint
• Paintbrush
• Knife
• Blank CD
• White glue

Instructions

1. Determine the planet you want to make. You can use balls of different proportions if you want to display them in a solar system. To make Pluto or Mars, use a 1 1/4-inch ball. For Mercury, use a 1-inch ball. For Venus and Earth, use a 1 1/2-inch ball. To make Neptune, use a 2-inch ball. For Uranus, use a 2 1/2-inch ball. To make Saturn, use a 3-inch ball and for Jupiter, use a 4-inch ball. Use a 6-inch ball for the Sun.

2. Use purple paint on a foam ball to make Pluto, and use red paint for Mars. Paint Mercury orange, Venus tan and Earth blue and green. Use dark blue paint for Neptune and aqua for Uranus. Paint Jupiter light pink and paint Saturn brown. Paint the Sun yellow.

3. Cut the Saturn foam ball in half if you want to give it a ring. Apply glue to the flat parts of the foam ball halves. Put some glue on a blank CD. Put the CD between the foam ball halves and press down to hold the ring in place.

Tips & Warnings

• To attach the planets and make a full model of the solar system, stick wooden dowels of varying lengths into the Sun. Attach each planet to the end of a wooden dowel.

References

• Hands On Crafts for Kids; The Solar System; Annabelle Keller
• NASA: How to Make a Model Saturn