How To Make A 3D Solar System

Creating a 3D model of the solar system is a staple of any grade school science program. A simple trip to a crafts store is all you'll need to get started on building an accurate 3D solar system.

Step 1

Identify the foam balls with their planetary counterparts. The sun is the 6-inch ball; the 4-inch ball is Jupiter; the 3-inch ball is Saturn; the 2 1/2-inch ball is Uranus; the 2-inch ball is Neptune; the 1-inch ball is Mercury; 1 1/2-inch balls represent Venus and Earth; and 1 1/4-inch balls represent Mars and Pluto. The rings circle Saturn.

Step 2

Paint the planets. Using the toothpick to hold the planets and the paintbrush to apply color, paint the planets with their appropriate colors. Mercury is gray; Venus, light yellow; Earth, blue and green; Mars, red; Jupiter, bands of orange and white; Saturn, light yellow; Saturn's rings, light brown/red; Uranus, light blue; Neptune, light blue; and Pluto, light brown.

Step 3

Cut the wooden skewers into lengths representing the distance from the sun. Mercury would be 2 1/2 inches from the sun; Venus, 4 inches; Earth, 5 inches; Mars, 6 inches; Jupiter, 7 inches; Saturn, 8 inches; Uranus, 10 inches; Neptune, 11 1/2 inches; and Pluto, 14 inches.

Step 4

Glue one end of the cut skewers into their corresponding planets. Use toothpicks to hold Saturn's rings in place around the planet.

Step 5

Glue the other end of the skewers into the sun around its center in order of distance closet to the sun. Allow the glue to dry.