Whether your child has a natural curiosity about the solar system or you simply want to introduce them to astronomy, there are many toys out there that can get them involved.
Solar system and toys are a good choice because besides introducing them to the planets, they also help to improve mental strength and fine motor skills. But, like any toys, there are some out there that just aren’t that interesting!
To avoid giving a toy that will end up in the back of the closet, check out our list of the best solar system planet toys as well as what to look for when you go shopping.
In this article
- Looking For Our Top Picks? Here They Are!
- What to look for when buying solar system planet toys
- Best Solar System Planet Toys for Kids
- #1. 4M 3427 Solar System Planetarium
- #2. Great Explorations 3-D Solar System Glow in the Dark Ceiling Hanging Kit
- #3. Educational Insights GeoSafari Motorized Solar System
- #4. 4M Glow-in-the-Dark Solar System Mobile Making Kit
- #5. Melissa & Doug Solar System Floor Puzzle
- #6. Solar System Crystal Ball
- #7. Discovery Kids Planetarium Projector
- #8. Learning Resources Shining Stars Projector
- #9. Space Kids Solar System Outer Puzzle
- #10. Learning Resources Giant Inflatable Solar System
- The Bottom Line
Looking For Our Top Picks? Here They Are!
| Title | Price | Prime | Buy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Top | 4M 3427 Solar System Planetarium - DIY Glow In The Dark Astronomy Planet Model | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
 | Great Explorations 3-D Solar System Glow In The Dark Ceiling Hanging Kit 3D Planets and Star Stickers Create the Milky Way Teach Science STEM, Multicolor (UG-19862) | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
 | Educational Insights GeoSafari Motorized Solar System, Rotating Solar System, LED Sun & Constellation, STEM Toy, Ages 8+ | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
 | 4M Glow-in-the-Dark Solar System Mobile Making Kit | PrimeEligible | Buy Now | |
 | Melissa & Doug Solar System Floor Puzzle (48 pc) | PrimeEligible | Buy Now |
What to look for when buying solar system planet toys
If you want to get props for giving a great toy, there are several things you should look for when shopping for the best solar system planet toys.
Creativity
Kids have great imaginations. So, any great toy should foster that creativity. When shopping for solar system planet toys, you want to find something that allows kids to be creative, and not something passive.
Any toys that encourage them to think out of the box are good choices. Some solar system planet toys also help in the areas of problem-solving and improving fine motor skills.
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Entertainment
Let’s be honest. Kids play with toys to be entertained. If you choose a toy that’s not fun or engaging, it’s going to be a dud. Look for the entertainment value and what kids can do with the toy. If you look at the toy and it bores you, imagine what it would do for a child.
You also want to find a toy that will keep kids entertained for more than five minutes. If it looks like something they can put together in a matter of minutes and never play with again, leave it on the shelf. Don’t put it in your cart.
Age-Appropriate
There is no “right” time to introduce your child to solar system toys. But, you do want the toy to be age-appropriate. A toy for a 5-year-old is not going to be nearly as complex as a toy for a 10-year-old.
Read the descriptions and look at the recommended age group. This is a good guide if you’re not sure.
Now that you know what to look, let’s check out the best solar system planet toys for kids.
Best Solar System Planet Toys for Kids
- 4M 3427 Solar System Planetarium
- Great Explorations 3-D Solar System Glow in the Dark Ceiling Hanging Kit
- Educational Insights GeoSafari Motorized Solar System
- 4M Glow-in-the-Dark Solar System Mobile Making Kit
- Melissa & Doug Solar System Floor Puzzle
- Solar System Crystal Ball
- Discovery Kids Planetarium Projector
- Learning Resources Shining Stars Projector
- Space Kids Solar System Outer Puzzle
- Learning Resources Giant Inflatable Solar System
#1. 4M 3427 Solar System Planetarium
This solar system planetarium is a good choice because it has more than one activity. It teaches kids about the planets in the solar system and shows them how to put it together. It comes with complete assembly instructions, so kids should be able to follow them.
Though they may still need some adult guidance. It is recommended for kids ages 8 and up, so keep that in mind when you’re shopping too.
When kids are done putting the solar system together, they can also paint it. It comes with the paints and squeeze glow paint pen, a fact-filled wall chart, and ten sets of Kidz Quiz questions.
This toy checks all the boxes because it allows kids to use their creativity to put the toy together, and improves mental strength. They can also use this toy as a quiz game using the question sets. It is also reasonably priced, making a great gift for any occasion.
Pros:
- Teaches kids how to put the solar system together
- Teaches facts about the solar system
- Allows kids to be creative as they paint
Cons:
- Not recommended for younger kids
#2. Great Explorations 3-D Solar System Glow in the Dark Ceiling Hanging Kit
Here’s a fun solar system gift for younger kids. This solar system set is targeted for kids 5 and up. It’s pretty simple to use as it allows kids to feel like they are gazing at the planets every night in their rooms.
Adults can help kids hang the glowing planets from the ceiling as the kids put glowing adhesive stars, comets, and asteroids on the walls. Once the solar system is “built”, turn off the lights and let the kids see the sky they’ve created. They can check out the size of the planets as they are made relative to their sizes. Because this toy is fun to look at, it may spark an interest in the planets in kids at a young age.
This kit also comes with a list of facts about the planets that adults can share with kids. While this toy isn’t very hands-on, it is fun for kids to see the planets and enjoy the glow in their room. If adults don’t mind things stuck to the ceiling and walls of their children’s rooms, this makes a great gift.
Pros:
- Fun to look at it
- Reasonably priced
- Introduces kids to the planets at a young age
Cons:
- Not very hands-on
- Requires things to be stuck on walls
#3. Educational Insights GeoSafari Motorized Solar System
Kids like toys that move about. That’s one of the reasons why we like this toy from Educational Insights. The solar system is a motorized model to replicate the planets’ movement around the sun. It’s geared for kids ages 8 and up.
There is also an auto shut-off night-light feature that kids may find fun. It comes with a star dome that can be used to turn bedroom ceilings into planetariums. While there isn’t much to play with, this toy can still be fun for kids to see how the planets move, especially if they are already fascinated with space.
For kids who want to learn more about the planets, there is a 28-page guide that explains each planet and constellation.
Pros:
-
- Motorized to mimic planets’ movements
- Comes with educational guide
- Has dome that can turn ceiling into a planetarium
Cons:
- Not much for kids to play with
- More expensive than other toys on the list
#4. 4M Glow-in-the-Dark Solar System Mobile Making Kit
Who says mobiles are just for baby cribs? This mobile is fun and interactive for kids ages 8 and older. It comes with the planets, stencils, squeeze glow paint pen, rods, string, a fact-filled wall chart, and 10 sets of Kidz Quiz questions.
Kids get to place the planets on the mobile, paint them, and put it in their bedroom for a glow-in-the-dark experience. We like this toy because it teaches kids to build by constructing the mobile and allows them to be creative by painting it. While kids should be able to put this together by themselves, they may need some adult help to get the planets to hang on the mobile.
This kit is also reasonably priced which is always a plus!
Pros:
- Allows kids to built and paint
- Quiz questions teach about the planets
- Reasonable priced
Cons:
- Not much interaction after the mobile is built and hung
#5. Melissa & Doug Solar System Floor Puzzle
There’s nothing wrong with a good old puzzle when you’re looking for the best solar system planet toys. This Melissa & Doug puzzle is great for the little ones, ages 3-6. The extra-thick cardboard pieces are safe and easy for little hands to grab. There are also only 48 pieces, so there are just enough for kids to handle without getting frustrated with too many small pieces.
Puzzles are great to improve hand-eye coordination. Plus, with this gift, they’re getting a look at the planets as well. It’s a win-win. As kids fit the pieces, they can also learn about the solar system. This may prompt them to ask questions and be inquisitive about something they may not know much about.
The puzzle is easy to clean too, so parents will like that feature. If you’re buying this as a gift, it is also inexpensive.
Pros:
- Sturdy puzzle pieces
- Teaches kids about the solar system while promoting hand-eye coordination
- Easy-to-clean
- Reasonably priced
Cons:
- Older kids may get bored
#6. Solar System Crystal Ball
This is a very cool gift if you want kids to get a realistic look at the planets. It’s also 3-D so it helps to give kids a good idea of what the planets look like in the solar system. There are six different light modes so kids can try different colors to see how it changes the look of the planets.
This gift may be geared for a small child if you put it on a tall shelf and out of their reach. Or, you can save it for an older child who wants to get a better idea of what the planets look like and their position in the solar system. Either way, it’s a very nice looking gift.
It is a bit more expensive than other solar system toys on the list, but if you’re looking for more of a keepsake, this may be a good option.
Pros:
- Exquisite looking gift
- Gives a realistic look at the planets
Cons:
- Not much to play with for kids
- More expensive than some other toys
#7. Discovery Kids Planetarium Projector
What better way to learn about space than to look in the stars? This projector is a very cool gift and is double-sided. It has two modes, stationary and moving. The moving side has two domes that slowly rotate and allow kids to project stars just about anywhere.
It comes with 32 photo slides on 4 different discs. All the color details are modeled after real-life spaceship and observatory equipment, so it doesn’t get more real than this. This toy is geared towards kids four and up. An adult will likely have to help the child get the hang of using this toy.
One of the reasons why we like this toy is because it is different than your average toys. It’s very interactive, so kids should like playing with it for a good amount of time. Once they’ve seen all the discs, they can play with them all over again.
Pros:
- Fun gift and very realistic
- Reasonably priced
Cons:
- Kids may get bored
#8. Learning Resources Shining Stars Projector
This is a great beginner toy for the tiniest of astronomers. This toy is geared towards kids ages 3 and up. They can easily explore space by beaming images onto any surface. They can see asteroids, planets, and stars! It comes with three image discs that contain eight images each. So, that’s just enough to keep them occupied, without getting bored.
We like this toy as one of the best solar system planet toys for kids because it’s simple, yet entertaining. Small kids like toys that do something, not ones that are just stationary. This allows them to explore at their own pace. It’s easy enough to use that should be able to entertain and use it themselves.
It’s also reasonably priced, so it would make a great gift.
Pros:
- Easy to use for small children
- Reasonably priced
- Good to get small children interested in astronomy
Cons:
- Kids may get bored after playing with the discs a few times
#9. Space Kids Solar System Outer Puzzle
Puzzles are a great way to teach kids about space, especially when it’s 3D. Although it’s geared for kids 5 and up, adults may want to help as well since there are 146 pieces. It contains all of the planets in the solar system
Once the puzzle is put together, it will make a great replica of outer space. It has very vivid and realistic colors of the planets. Kids will surely enjoy this puzzle.
This item is reasonably priced. But, once kids do the puzzle, there isn’t much to do except to look at it. Keep that in mind if you’re buying this puzzle for a gift.
Pros:
- 3D Puzzle looks realistic
- Teaches about the solar system in a fun way
Cons:
- Not much to do once the puzzle is put together
#10. Learning Resources Giant Inflatable Solar System
This toy made the list of the best solar system planet toys for kids because it’s inflatable and really brings the solar system to life. The 3D solar system not only demonstrates rotation and revolution, but it also shows how the planets orbit.
There’s a handy foot pump to help blow up the planets as well as a repair kit and activity kit. The loops make it easy to hang the planets in a child’s bedroom.
This is a fun toy for any age group for 5 years and up. Younger kids will like the fact that the planets are inflatable, while kids who are a little older can appreciate how they appear life-like. This set is more expensive than other solar system toys that are on the list.
Pros:
- Inflatable planets bring the solar system to life
- Can be hung in a bedroom
- Comes with a foot pump
Cons:
- More expensive than other toys on the list
- May be better suited for younger kids
The Bottom Line
When it comes to finding the best solar system planet toys for kids, you want to find toys that are fun, spark creativity, and get kids interested in the solar system. That’s why we chose the 4M 3427 Solar System Planetarium.
It not only teaches kids about the solar system but lets them be creative by painting the planets. The quiz game sneaks in the educational factor without them even realizing it.
As always, keep the age group you are buying for in mind when choosing a toy. Who knows, the gift you buy could spark an interest that leads to the next great scientist!
