Earth Science · Interactive learning companion

Order Of Planets

Sequence the eight Solar System planets outward from the Sun and separate order from apparent drawing size.

Landscape activity · use fullscreen on a phone for larger controls

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📝 Description

Order Of Planets helps early learners practice the sequence of planets in the solar system. It supports science vocabulary, space awareness, memory, and drag-and-drop ordering skills.

📋 Instructions

Drag each planet into its correct position in order from the Sun. Complete the sequence to finish the activity.

🎓 Learning Guide: Order Of Planets

Learning focus: Sequence the eight Solar System planets outward from the Sun and separate order from apparent drawing size.

Earth Science Interactive learning companion

Learning objectives

Name the planets in order from the Sun.
Identify the inner rocky planets and the outer giant planets.

Concepts and principles

The outward order is Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.
A classroom picture seldom shows planet diameters and Sun–planet distances on one consistent scale.

Examples and worked solutions

Which planet is fifth from the Sun?: Worked solution: Jupiter is fifth, after Mars and before Saturn.

Try this activity

Use the described drag-to-order activity to arrange the planets.
Check which planets lie immediately before and after Earth, then distinguish Mars from the giant planets.

Expected observations and explanations

The first four planets are terrestrial; the outer four are gas or ice giants.

Assessment questions and answers

Why is Pluto not listed among the eight planets?: Answer: Under the IAU classification, Pluto is a dwarf planet rather than one of the eight major planets.