Paint Your Way Through the Planets!
Looking for a fun, artistic, and educational project that combines creativity and science? This Solar System Rock Painting Craft is the perfect way to explore space and learn about the planets — all while making something beautiful and tactile that you can display at home or in the classroom!
Whether you’re teaching kids about the solar system, planning a space-themed birthday, or just want a relaxing rock painting session, this DIY craft is out of this world!
What You’ll Need:
- Smooth, flat rocks (9 total — one for each planet + the sun)
- Acrylic paints (assorted colors)
- Paintbrushes (small to medium)
- Paint pens or fine brushes for details
- A black marker or white paint pen (for names and outlines)
- Water cup and paper towels for cleanup
- Optional: Sealant spray to protect your finished rocks
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1.) Gather and Prep Your Rocks
Head outside and find 9 smooth rocks, or buy a pack from a craft store. Wash them thoroughly to remove any dirt and let them dry completely.
Each rock will represent one object:
The Sun
Mercury
Venus
Earth
Mars
Jupiter
Saturn
Uranus
Neptune
Optional: Paint one extra for Pluto if you’re team Pluto!
2.) Base Coat the Rocks
Paint each rock with a solid background color. Let them dry before adding details.
Here’s a simple guide:
Sun – Yellow and orange mix
Mercury – Gray
Venus – Pale yellow or cream
Earth – Blue with green continents
Mars – Red or rusty orange
Jupiter – Beige with light brown bands
Saturn – Light yellow or tan (add rings later)
Uranus – Pale blue or aqua
Neptune – Dark blue
3.) Add Planet Details
Now for the fun part — decorate each rock with planetary patterns!
Use fine brushes or paint pens to draw stripes, swirls, rings, or craters.
Earth should have green continents and white swirls (clouds).
Jupiter can have the iconic Great Red Spot.
For Saturn, paint or glue on a paper/cardboard ring.
Don’t forget names! Write the planet’s name on the back or around the edge.
Tip: Use reference images from NASA or a space book for realistic details!
4.) Arrange Your Solar System
Once dry, lay out your planets in order from the Sun. Use a piece of black fabric or poster board as a space-themed background.
You can also glue magnets to the back and turn them into fridge décor, or display them in a shadow box!
5.) Seal for Protection (Optional)
If you want your solar system rocks to last, especially if you display them outside or use them frequently, spray them with a clear acrylic sealant to protect the paint.
Why This Craft is Awesome
Combines art + science
Encourages creativity and spatial learning
Great for home, school, or rainy-day fun
Makes learning about the planets engaging and hands-on!
Learning Extension Ideas:
Have kids research facts about each planet as they paint them.
Use the rocks for order matching (Which is closest to the Sun? Which is the biggest?)
Turn it into a storytelling prompt: “What if your rock planets came to life?”
Incorporate them into a STEM lesson on orbits and space travel.
Final Thoughts
Painting a Solar System with rocks is a simple and fun way to explore outer space right from your kitchen table. With a few supplies and a little creativity, you can spark imagination, build fine motor skills, and inspire curiosity about our incredible universe.
So, grab your brushes and let’s get cosmic — one rock at a time!
Kids Activities
Looking for more fun kids activities and other ideas to keep kids engaged, learning, and having fun? Check out these:
Easter Peeps Science Experiment: What Happens When You Soak Peeps in Different Liquids?
DIY Rock Photo Holder – A Nature-Inspired Craft for All Ages!
The Easiest Easter Bunny Craft Using Unmatched Socks
Melting Ice in Salt Water – A Cool Science Experiment for Kids
Easy Inertia Science Experiments with Pennies
Salt Volcano: A Groovy Liquid Density Science Experiment
Rainbow in a Jar Density Experiment – A Fun and Colorful Science Activity
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