• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Because dads don’t always think like moms™

  • Dad
    • Celebrities
    • Gay Dads
    • Sex
    • Single Dads
  • Pregnancy
    • Labor or Delivery
    • Pregnant Wife
  • Baby
    • Baby Naming
    • Feeding
    • Sleep
    • Toilet Training
  • Kids
  • Teens
  • Activities
    • Local
    • By Age
    • Movie Reviews
    • Celebrations
  • Toys
    • We Recommend
    • Toys
  • Coaching for Dads
  • Great Dad Talks Podcast

Making the Solar System interesting for Kids

June 25, 2007 by GreatDad Writers 1 Comment

Inflatable Solar SystemNote: To receive great ideas for activities with kids subscribe now to the free GreatDad newsletter for dads of 4-8 year olds.

Killing aliens with the x-box may not be the only way for your
kids to step outside the planet. Dads and kids can still share the thrill of a darkened planetarium
or the awe of a star-bright night sky. Such experiences can make the universe seem within our reach,
help dads bond with their children.

The solar system with its colorful planets and exotic
names is always a good place to start. Here are some things dads can do to make the universe a more
interesting place for kids:

  • Take a trip to the local planetarium—look out for special
    shows and exhibits.
  •  Science parks are fun too. Let your kids travel through simulators
    and get their hands dirty in space. Make sure they get to crank-up those miniature models of the
    solar systems that go round and round.
  • Buy your kids a small telescope (‘that’s awesome
    dad!’). Teach them how to set it up in their room and take care of it.
  • Ask your children
    about their favorite planet and help them locate photos and information about it on the
    Internet.
  • Purchase a top-of-the-line start-up kit that can help your kids build their very
    own planetarium right at home. Make sure you get the glow-in-the-dark model that lights up at
    night.
  • If you think your kids are born astro-nuts, take them to the nearest library to
    browse through some huge space encyclopedias. That should give them some big, colorful, and serious
    stuff to handle.
  • Sign them up for the summer space camp. It’s a bit expensive but the
    experience is worth it.

Younger kids are often inquisitive about the nature of the
universe, how things work, will they break, will we all disappear etc. While dads may not have all
the answers at hand, they can certainly help explain the solar system with a simple model using
colorful balls of varying size in the backyard and take the young ones for an imaginary space walk.
Make sure they learn (say ‘hello Pluto’) all the names of the planets on the way back home.

Also See

NASA info for Dads and Kids

Astronomy for kids 4-10

Filed Under: Kids

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Laurel says

    November 30, -0001 at 12:00 am

    Kudos to you for making sure kids are taught about Pluto (which many astronomers still consider a planet)!

    Log in to Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
SIGN-UP TODAY to receive the only baby newsletter written by dads, for dads. Act now and receive a free copy of the popular GreatDad E-Book!
My baby's due date or birthday :
Profile picture
Privacy Policy and Terms
Baby Name Finder!

what's in a name

  • Show names for:
  • Boys
  • Girls
  • Either
Finding a name you can both agree on isn't always easy. Use our simple name generator to get started.
First Letter
Last Letter
Number of Letters
Origin
Find a name!

More to See

family under a cardboard

Over 40? The Five Types of Insurance You Should Have

October 22, 2022 By Contributing Authors

A Dad’s Guide to Bonding with Your Kids Through Computer Games

May 5, 2022 By Contributing Authors

Tags

529 Plan budgeting for teens college savings compromise dad dads Father's Day fatherhood friendship in-laws love marriage Movie Review parenting advice parenting skills prepaid cards ritual Sundays travel vacation

Footer

Hi mom!

Would you like to share this site with your husband or a friend?

Just enter his email address and your name below and we'll let him know all about GreatDad.com.

His email address
Your Name

Recent

  • Special Clarity session – $25
  • Over 40? The Five Types of Insurance You Should Have
  • A Dad’s Guide to Bonding with Your Kids Through Computer Games
  • 5 Ways to Prepare Your Child for a Surgical Procedure
  • How to get kids excited about dental hygiene

Search

Tags

529 Plan budgeting for teens college savings compromise dad dads Father's Day fatherhood friendship in-laws love marriage Movie Review parenting advice parenting skills prepaid cards ritual Sundays travel vacation

Copyright © 2023 . GreatDad