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How planets orbit the sun {a Montessori-inspired activity}

Preschool, Kindergarten

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One of the facts I wanted my kids to understand about the planets is that they orbit around the sun in a large ellipse.

Taking an idea from the Montessori Astronomy Album I received when I participated in KHT Montessori’s certificate program, I set up this simple activity to give my kids a concrete understanding of how planets orbit the sun.

Note: For more space-related activities, see my Space Unit Study page. 

How planets orbit the sun: This super simple Montessori-inspired activity gives kids a hands-on and concrete way to understand how planets orbit the sun in a large circle || Gift of Curiosity

For this activity, I provided a tray with the following materials:

  • Orange play dough (to make the sun)
  • A blue ball (to represent the Earth)
  • A pie tin (to create the orbit)

How planets orbit the sun: This super simple Montessori-inspired activity gives kids a hands-on and concrete way to understand how planets orbit the sun in a large circle || Gift of Curiosity

I invited my daughter to roll a ball of orange play dough.

How planets orbit the sun: This super simple Montessori-inspired activity gives kids a hands-on and concrete way to understand how planets orbit the sun in a large circle || Gift of Curiosity

Then I invited her to stick it in the middle of the pie tin to represent the sun.

How planets orbit the sun: This super simple Montessori-inspired activity gives kids a hands-on and concrete way to understand how planets orbit the sun in a large circle || Gift of Curiosity

Then she added the blue ball to represent the Earth. I showed her how to hold the pie tin to make the Earth orbit around the sun.

How planets orbit the sun: This super simple Montessori-inspired activity gives kids a hands-on and concrete way to understand how planets orbit the sun in a large circle || Gift of Curiosity

Super simple. Super easy. And lesson learned.

More resources to learn about the planets

More posts from Gift of Curiosity about the planets and solar system:


You’ll find more resources for learning about the planets on my Space Unit Study page and my Space and the Solar System Pinterest board.

Follow Katie @ Gift of Curiosity’s board Unit Ideas: Space & the Solar System on Pinterest.

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4 Comments

  3. Jenn

    I teach science to first graders and needed more than one pie pan and ball so they could individually experience the sun/earth path. I ended up using paper plates that had a high rim. I had flat circular yellow foam shapes which I had the students put in the middle of each plate and gave them each a blue marble. I wanted the size proportion to be evident. It worked great! For the moon around the earth I gave them each a small blue plastic bowl from the dollar store and a cotton ball. This one was a bit trickier, however, I always tell them that if I bring all easy activities we wouldn’t be able to practice. Failing is the fun part where we get to try and try again.
    Thanks for this great hands on idea : )