Solar System Game
A free game for learning the eight planets. Explore mode shows each planet with a few key facts, “Find the planet” asks students to tap the planet named, and “Put them in order” asks them to tap the planets from closest to farthest from the Sun.
Planets are drawn in the right order of size – Jupiter biggest, Mercury smallest – though not to exact scale, since the Sun would be far too big to fit.
How to use it in class
- Explore. Tap each planet to hear its name and read its facts.
- Find the planet. The game names a planet; tap it. Names are hidden.
- Put them in order. The planets are mixed up; tap them in order from the Sun.
- Play again. Each round mixes them up differently.
Classroom ideas
Memory trick
Teach “My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nachos” for the planet order.
Rocky and gas
Sort the planets into the four rocky planets and the four giants.
Planet reports
Have each group present one planet using the facts as a start.
Frequently asked questions
How many planets are there?
Eight: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.
Why isn’t Pluto included?
Since 2006 Pluto has been classified as a dwarf planet, so it isn’t one of the eight planets.
Is it to scale?
Sizes are in the right order but not exact – the Sun alone is about 100 times wider than Earth.
Is it free?
Yes.