How To Make A 3D Model Of The Sun, Earth & Moon

Construct a 3-D model of the sun, Earth and moon that accurately depicts the relation between the orbiting bodies in space for a school assignment or a decoration for a child's room. It can be built using cardboard and other items you have around your classroom or home, with minimal setup.

Step 1

Locate the center of a round cardboard piece and mark it with a pencil, crayon or marker. Draw vertical and horizontal lines that intersect at the center.

Step 2

Use a compass to draw two circles, representing the distance between the sun, Earth and moon. The distance between the sun and Earth should be much farther than the Earth's distance from the moon. A circle for the sun is not necessary, as it will hang from the center of the cardboard.

Step 3

Poke a hole in the center of the cardboard with a pair of scissors. Poke two more holes anywhere along the perimeter of each circle.

Step 4

Cut a 6-inch circle out of yellow construction paper to represent the sun. Cut a 3-inch circle out of blue construction paper to represent the Earth and a 1-inch circle out of white construction paper for the moon.

Step 5

Decorate the circle pieces with crayons or markers. Draw flames that radiate out to the perimeter of the sun. Draw the land shapes of the Earth using a brown marker and the moon's craters with a gray marker.

Step 6

Cut three 6-inch pieces of string and tape one each to the sun, Earth and moon. Route the sun's string through the center of the cardboard, the Earth's through the second hole and the moon's through the third. Tape each end to back of the cardboard circle to complete the model.