Planet Names for Kids: Fun Facts & Learning Guide

Learning planet names for kids is important because it helps them understand space and the world around them. Planets are large objects that move around the Sun in space. They are part of our solar system, which also has the Sun, moons, stars, and other objects. Our Earth is one of these planets. It is a small planet made of rocks and water, and it is the only planet where we know life exists.

Other planets are different; some have rings, some are made of gas, and some are very hot or very cold. By learning planet names in solar system, kids can explore space and enjoy discovering new facts. Keep reading to learn more about all the planet names in order.

Check Out: Kids Books

Planet Names in Solar System

There are eight planets in our solar system which are Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. These planets go around the Sun in their fixed paths called orbits. The first four planets, which are Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars, are called rocky or inner planets because they are made of solid surfaces.

The other four planets, which are Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, are known as gas and ice giants, as they are made mostly of gases and are much bigger in size. Each planet is different in colour, size, and temperature. Some are hot, some are cold, and some have rings or many moons. Before learning about the list of planets in order, let’s first understand our solar system quickly.

Check Out: Kids First Library Box Set of 20 Board Books

Solar System Pictures with Names

The solar system is a big family that includes the Sun and all the planets that move around it. The Sun is at the center, and its strong force, called gravity, keeps all the planets in their places. The planet names in solar system include Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Along with these, there are moons, asteroids, comets, and many other space objects that make our solar system complete.

The name "solar system" comes from the word Sol, which means Sun in Latin. Scientists believe that the solar system was formed more than four billion years ago after the Big Bang. In the solar system pictures with names given above, you can see how each planet looks different in colour, size, and distance from the Sun.

Planet Names in Order

Let’s learn the planet names in order from the Sun. There are eight main planets in our solar system. Each one is special in its own way. Learning the planet names helps kids understand how our solar system works and how different each planet is. Here is the list of planets in order, with some fun facts about each one:

1. Mercury: The Nearest Planet

Mercury is the closest planet to the Sun and also the smallest one. 

• It moves very fast and finishes one round around the Sun in just 88 days. 

• Because it is so close to the Sun, it becomes very hot during the day.

2. Venus: The Hottest Planet

Venus is the second planet from the Sun.

• It is almost the same size as Earth.

• It is covered with thick clouds that trap heat, which makes it the hottest planet in the solar system.

Check Out: Kids Activity Books

3. Earth: Our Home Planet

Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the only one where life exists.

• It has water, air, and land, which make it ideal for living things.

4. Mars: The Red Planet

Mars comes fourth in the 8 planets name list.

• It looks red because of the iron dust on its surface.

• Scientists are very interested in Mars because they think it may have had water in the past.

5. Jupiter: The Largest Planet

Jupiter is the biggest planet in the solar system.

• It is made mostly of gas and has a big red spot, which is a huge storm.

• Jupiter also has many moons that move around it.

Read More: Fruits Name that Start with N

6. Saturn: The Planet with Rings

Saturn is easy to recognise because of its beautiful rings made of ice and dust.

• It’s the second-largest planet and looks very bright in the sky.

7. Uranus: The Cold and Side-Spinning Planet

Uranus is a very cold planet and one of the “gas giants”.

• It spins on its side, which makes it very different from the other planets.