How to Teach Your Kids About the Planets

Each of the planets in our solar system are mysterious and distinctive, which makes them particularly interesting to kids. Here's how to teach them the basics about our celestial neighbors.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Prepare yourself to individualize their learning. Know what makes each planet distinctive.

2. Teach them all the planets in order from the sun. Test them the next day to see if they've learned them all.

3. Start with the obviuous. They will find it interesting to learn just how hot Mercury is and just how cold Pluto is. Let them know that Pluto has been technically eliminated as a planet, but that it was known as one for many years.

4. Inform the kids about Jupiter being the largest planet and Mercury as the smallest planet now that Pluto has been "downgraded" to dwarf planet status.

5. 
    
   Mars: The Red Planet

   Show them pictures of Mars, which is known as the red planet, and the rings of Saturn. These features give those planets a distinctive personality and will further excite your little pupils.

6. Let them know that someday human beings might inhabit a planet such as Mars.

Tips & Warnings

• Get a read on just how interested the kids become in learning about the planets. Make certain they have all the information and pictures they need to maximize their knowledge on the subject.