The eight planets of our solar system orbit this wheel in their order from the Sun, Mercury first and Neptune last, as listed by NASA. Pluto is not included because it is classed as a dwarf planet, but you are welcome to add it back for your own game.
When to use it
Science teachers assign planet projects with it. In no-repeat mode the first eight students or groups each get a different world, and Start over brings them all back for the next set.
It makes a quick space quiz. After each spin, ask whether the planet is rocky or a giant, whether it has rings and roughly where it sits compared with Earth.
Kids who love space can use it at home to choose a bedtime fact to look up, a model to build or a planet to draw for the fridge.
Ideas
- Planet passport: spin, then write a pretend travel guide with the weather, the length of a day and what you would pack.
- Scale walk: spin a planet and pace out its distance from the Sun on a playground using a simple scale.
- Moon count: guess how many known moons the chosen planet has, then check NASA's page for the current number.
- Order challenge: spin three planets and line them up by size, then by distance from the Sun.
Variations
- Add Pluto, Ceres and the other dwarf planets for a longer wheel that covers more of the solar system.
- Keep only the four rocky inner planets or the four outer giants when a lesson focuses on one group.
- Pair the wheel with the team generator to split the class into eight planet teams before you spin.
Tips
- Look up current facts on NASA's site rather than an old textbook, since moon counts change as new ones are discovered.
- Use full screen on the classroom board so the planet name is easy to read from the back row.
- Share the link with families so children can keep exploring the same wheel after school.
Make it yours
Change any entry, weight or color above, or open a copy of this wheel to edit and share as your own. This page always keeps its original entries.
List from science.nasa.gov, checked on October 17, 2026.