Solar system suncatchers are awesome. We love making them because we like pretty things. The best thing about suncatchers is that they are usually pretty easy to make, like this solar system mobile craft that we made to look like a solar system mobile for a fun STEM activity for kids!
It’s one of the many ways we’re having screen-free fun this summer and one of our favorite solar system projects for kids!
Solar System Mobile Craft for Kids
We didn’t have any clear pony beads, so we decided to transform our art project into a STEAM project instead and make solar system projects for kids instead by making a planet craft!
Supplies for Your Solar System Mobile Craft
- Pony Beads
- Grill
- Yarn
- Cardboard hanger
- Scissors
- Drill (we have this one and it worked great)
- Muffin tin
Educational Insights GeoSafari Motorized Solar System, Rotating Solar System, LED Sun & Constellation, STEM Toy, Ages 8+Solar System Crystal Ball 80mm 3.15
hand2mind LAUNCH! Rocket STEM Kits For Kids Ages 8-12, 18 Science Experiments and Fact-Filled Guide, Make Your Own Rocket, Solar System, And Rocket Races, Homeschool Science Kits
4M 4605 Water Rocket Kit – DIY Science Space Stem Toys Gift for Kids & Teens, Boys & Girls
The Young Scientists Club Science Art Fusion Space Kit
STEM Box Exploring Our Solar System- Science Kit for Kids
4M 3427 Solar System Planetarium – DIY Glow In The Dark Astronomy Planet Model Stem Toys Gift for Kids & Teens, Girls & Boys
Qurious Space | STEM Flash Card Game | Explore, Match, Quiz & Spin Through The Universe. Perfect for Astronomy Fans and Future Astronauts
Vokodo Space Toys Station Building Kit in 4 Moon Capsules Kids 3D Puzzle with Astronaut Rocket Pod and Lunar Lander Science NASA Shuttle Exploration STEM Education Easter Great Gift Children Boy Girl
4M 4605 Water Rocket Kit – DIY Science Space Stem Toys Gift for Kids & Teens, Boys & Girls
How to Make a Planet Mobile
First, look through the pony beads and find beads that match the colors in the solar system to make pony bead patterns for each planet in the solar system.
We couldn’t find exact matches for the solar system craft in our stash, so we just approximated. We made rings for Saturn by adding two stripes of beads to our muffin pan.
Fill the bottom of each muffin pan with beads. The order you put them in the pan will be how they look when they melt. The pony beads do not move.
Heat the grill outside to about 350 (medium heat) and place the muffin tin on the grill.
Close the lid and wait about 10 minutes. The beads might take up to 30 minutes to melt, but you will want to watch it.
If you let the beads cook too long, they will turn brown and bubble, which looks terrible. As soon as the beads start to melt and smooth together on the top, remove them from the heat.
Let the beads cool about 10 minutes, then pop them out of the muffin tin. Your planet mobile is well on its way to completion!
How to Make a Solar System Mobile with Hangers
Drill a small hole in the top of each pony bead suncatcher with your drill.
Tie a piece of yarn to the top of each planet and tie the other end of the string to the cardboard hanger. We hung our planets in order as if the sun was on the left, so the first planet on our string was mercury.
Remove the metal part of the hanger and tie a longer piece of yarn to each end of the cardboard tube. Hang the planet melted pony bead suncatcher in a window that gets lots of sun.
The light will shine through the suncatcher craft and the planets will look like they are glowing.
You’ll also want to check out the ultimate list of summer STEM activities and the ultimate list of summer science experiments.
More Solar System Activities for Kids
Solar System Slime Recipe- Planet Slime in 3D!
How to Make a Salt Dough Solar System Project
