Do you want your tiny tot to know about the amazing space and the solar system we live in? Then gift your child with the best solar system toys for kids! Space and the solar system is definitely a fascinating topic for young ones. Children often dream of traveling to the moon or becoming an astronaut.
There are plenty of books and theories to educate your child but children learn and remember the most while playing or with physical interaction. Solar system toys are the tools that represent our solar system with models, puzzles, toys, or any other form of an educational element. These toys fall into the category of STEM toys.
However, when you buy a new toy for your child, the sole purpose is to ensure fun and entertainment. Children easily get bored with toys that don’t appeal to them so choose toys like LeapFrog’s amusing book and toys that aren’t only educational but colorful and provide a lot of fun at the same time.
To make your search process easier, we have listed some of the best solar system toys below. You shall find a wide variety of toys, including compact-sized puzzles, floor puzzles, building blocks, and gears, glow-in-the-dark sets, paint models, and so on.
Choose one that your child will benefit from the most and won’t get bored of easily. But first, let’s find out the essentials that you need to know before purchasing.
You may like to read: The Best Science Kits for 9-Year-Olds
Things to Consider Before Buying Solar System toys
Age Appropriateness and Safety
This is one of the basic criteria to remember while you buy any toy for your children. Since solar system toys are usually introduced to children above 3 years or more, we recommend you to check the age requirement while purchasing.
You can find the age requirements along with the product reviews mentioned in our post. Most solar system toys are safe to play but some may contain small parts that can be a choking hazard for younger ones.
Price
Since you’re reading this post, we are assuming that you already have a budget in mind. The price of a toy is determined by its quality, usability, age level and functionality. Keeping in mind affordability, the toys mentioned in our review post are priced between $10 to $40.
Child’s Interest
Does your child feel very enthusiastic about planets, stars and galaxies or is your little one just curious about the twinkling stars? Not all solar system toys are the same, hence, you have to choose a toy that best fits your child’s interest level and is exactly what they want.
A toy designed for a younger child will be of no use for an older child.
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Here are 10 of the Best Solar System Toys for Kids
1. Educational Insights GeoSafari Motorized Solar System
Type: Solar System Rotating Toy
Age: 8 years and above
What is great about this solar system toy: Value for money, very easy to assemble, includes planetary fun facts.
What is not so great about this solar system toy: Many parents complained about the LED functionality
Requires: AA batteries required.
Description:
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if your little one could touch and view our solar system in motion? What better way to learn about the solar system than this? The Educational Insights GeoSafari Motorized Solar System is a fantastic educational toy for kids.
The brightly lit dome of the toy represents the sun in our solar system along with 8 distinctive planets that rotate around it. The motorized solar system promotes STEM learning by making your child interested in astronomy, space, and science. This interesting toy can also be used as a night-light decoration as it allows auto shut-off.
As your child plays with the motorized Solar System or watches it rotate, they will learn the different shapes and colours of the planets. One of the best thing about this toy is that you can project a planetarium-style star show on the ceiling of your child’s room and surprise them!
2. WATINC 35Pcs Outer Space Felt Board Story Set
Type: Solar System Felt Board Story Set
Age: 2 years and above
What is great about this solar system toy: Value for money, sturdy and perfect for group plays
What is not so great about this solar system toy: Does not include the planet’s names.
Description:
Want your little one to experience a space-themed wall in their bedrooms? Get the WATINC 35Pcs Outer Space Felt Board Story Set that can be hanged on the wall easily! Space, the moon, the stars, are all fascinating for little curious minds.
And the best way to help them learn more about our astonishing solar system is to surround them with STEM toys. The kit includes a Solar System backdrop flannel board, 30 unique space elements, and 4 hooks. Your child can also lay the felt board on the floor and play with the fun elements that come with it.
We would love the set even more if all the elements had names on them but children will instantly fall in love with this exciting felt board, no doubt!
3. Mudpuppy Solar System Puzzle, 70 Pieces, 23”x16.5”
Type: Solar System puzzle set
Age: 5 years and above
What is great about this solar system toy: high quality, uniquely shaped puzzle pieces, and easy to assemble
What is not so great about this solar system toy: Some parents felt that the pieces did not fit together well but that was not the case for all.
Description:
Children who love to play with puzzles will enjoy the Mudpuppy Solar System Puzzle. The set contains double-sided and vibrant 70 pieces of puzzles. When you bring home the puzzle set, your child will spend less time on screen and more time on solving which helps them develop problem-solving skills.
It is an excellent educational tool as it not only develops fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination but also encourages children to explore space and the solar system. You can also gift this wonderful puzzle set on a child’s birthday or a special occasion. Each piece of the puzzle is large and some are uniquely shaped like a planet to add more fun to playtime!
While playing, your child can turn around the planet shaped puzzle pieces to read the name of the planet in three different languages. Young children can easily play with it as it is easy to solve and put together.
4. Jigamix Outer Space Science Kit for Kids
Type: Solar System Science Kit
Age: 8 years and above
What is great about this solar system toy: Endless playing possibilities, very educational, and perfect as a gift
What is not so great about this solar system toy: Not suitable for younger kids
Description:
Learning science, outer space, the solar system and astronomy has never been so much fun! The Jigamix Outer Space science kit for kids has to be one of the best fun learning toolsets. The playset caters to what parents want and soothes the curious edge of developing minds. Children easily get bored with toys but with Jigamix, you will have a hard time ending their play sessions!
Let your child explore their creativity and create something wonderful, without even realizing about their STEM learning. The kit offers 7 different and exciting playing possibilities such as Planets Competition, Nebula In The Bottle, Constellation, Meteor and so on.
5. MasterPieces Maps 60 Mass Puzzles Collection
Type: Solar System puzzle set
Age: 5 years and above
What is great about this solar system toy: Great as a gift, useful teaching tool, and very vibrant
What is not so great about this solar system toy: May not be sturdy enough
Description:
The MasterPieces Maps 60 Mass Puzzles Collection is a jumbo puzzle that is a perfect playset for curious little ones. Along with placing the pieces together, the set also provides interesting facts that enrich your child’s knowledge about space and our solar system.
As the sun sets, children can make the best use of this solar system playset when it glows in the dark, an experience similar to what planets look like in space! The vibrant colour of the puzzle set makes it an instant favourite and draws the attention of kids.
Children may not put much effort into placing the puzzles as much as an adult would, which is why the “easy-fit” functionality of the pieces makes it great for little hands.
6. Create-A-Scene Magnetic Playset – Solar System
Type: Solar System Magnetic Playset
Age: 3 years and above
What is great about this solar system toy: Great quality, sturdy and value for money
What is not so great about this solar system toy: Does not include the planet “Pluto”.
Description:
For little space enthusiasts, the Create-A-Scene Magnetic Playset turns out to be an excellent gift that not only looks aesthetic but is great to play with! You cant expect your little one to learn everything about space without showing them what it looks like! The magnetic playset makes it easy for parents to teach children about our solar system.
The planets are provided in a separated sheet and can be placed on the magnetic board. Each planet can be placed on a particular orbit ring and beautifully demonstrated. Most solar system toys are difficult for toddlers and younger ones to play but Create-A-Scene Magnetic Playset is perfect for tiny hands as well!
7. Melissa & Doug Solar System Floor Puzzle (48 pc)
Type: Solar System Floor Puzzle set
Age: 3 years to 6 years
What is great about this solar system toy: Age-appropriate, very sturdy, and easy to assemble
What is not so great about this solar system toy: Some parents did not like the fact that the set lacked “Pluto” (the last planet of the solar system).
Description:
The Melissa & Doug Solar System Floor puzzle has to be the most visually attractive toy set among all puzzles! This jumbo-sized puzzle requires a wide space. The 2 by 3 feet large puzzle set is surprisingly very easy to clean if you’re wondering what happens when your little one walks over it or spills something.
The toy is made of sturdy and high-quality material that ensures that it lasts through lots of playtimes. This 48 pieces puzzle set calls for all the fun where your tiny tots can bring over there friends and solve the puzzle enthusiastically!
The set is recommended even for toddlers or younger kids as it does not contain any choking hazard and is very easy to play with. As your child learns and remembers the unique planets of our solar system, they also develop hand-eye coordination.
8. Space Explorers Building Set, Gears & Construction Toy, 77 Pieces
Type: Solar System Gears & Construction Toy
Age: 4 years and above
What is great about this solar system toy: Great gift for boys, encourages fine-motor skills, and very sturdy
What is not so great about this solar system toy: Not suitable for younger kids
Description:
For smart and curious kids, the Space Explorers Building set offers a wide variety of building and playing possibilities. The set can be a great gift for kids, especially little boys who are infatuated with building sets or lego sets.
The STEM learning feature of the gear set ensures that as your child creates and plays with the toy, he/she learns science and about outer space. What better way to teach your children and make them interested in physics and astronomy?
The 77 pieces gear and construction set includes gears, handle, planets, a sun, a spaceship, a flag, an astronaut and so much more. One of the remarkable features of the solar system building set is that it comes with a rotating sun that beautifully represents the movement of the Sun.
9. 4M 3427 Solar System Planetarium – DIY Glow In The Dark Astronomy Planet Model
Type: Solar System Glow in the dark set
Age: 8 years and above
What is great about this solar system toy: Great as a gift, excellent packaging, and easy to assemble
What is not so great about this solar system toy: Glow paint quantity may not be sufficient
Description:
Are you looking for an excellent educational playset for a little science enthusiast? The 4M 3427 Solar System Planetarium is what you need! With this fun set, children can make the best use of their creativity and imagination while learning valuable lessons on astronomy.
The Solar System Planetarium is a great educational toy to introduce your children to our solar system, explain how it works, what the planets look like, and give them a visual learning experience. Kids can paint the planets with any colour of their choice with the included two strips of paint, two glow paints and a paintbrush.
You can also hang the painted solar system on the ceiling with the help of the hanging frame and string that comes along with it. Watch your child’s enthusiasm when they discover that their painted planets glow in the dark!
10. Baker Ross EV8302 Solar System Pack of 2, Make Your Own Planet Model Crafts for Kids
Type: Solar System Model Crafts
Age: 5 years and above
What is great about this solar system toy: High quality, easy to assemble and comes with a pack of 2
What is not so great about this solar system toy: Does not come with labels for planets
Description:
Children learn best while playing and this is why you should introduce STEM toys to your child at an early age. The Baker Ross EV8302 Solar System kit is perfect for little artists who enjoy arts and crafts.
The kit includes 10 assorted polystyrene planets, wooden sticks and easy to understand instruction. Be it for a science project or to explain our wonderful solar system, this kit serves to be one of the best educational toys. As your little one paints the planets, they also learn about the different planets, sizes and colours of each.
It is very easy to make so parents won’t have to worry about assisting their children with the fun science project. As it comes in a pack of 2, your children can get their friends to join them for a fun party!
Our Verdict of the Best Solar System Toys for Kids
All of the mentioned Solar system toys on our list proves to be amazing! Kids are always fascinated by the solar system, and the best way to soothe their curiosity is by giving them solar system toys.
If we would have to choose one from this list, we would pick the Educational Insights GeoSafari Motorized Solar System which is perfect for all kids and can be used to decorate in your child’s room. The rotating effect of this toy is our favourite feature!
FAQs for Best Solar System Toys for kids
1. At what age should children start playing with solar system toys?
It all depends on your child’s interest. Children as young as 6 months can have fun with solar system planets made of soft materials or hanging solar system toys that attract attention. Most 3-year-old children are interested in learning about space, moon, star, galaxy and planets which makes it an ideal age for educational toys. Besides, some solar system toys may not be suitable for younger children.
2. What are the benefits of playing with solar system toys?
Solar System toys are educational and fall into the category of STEM toys. Your child can benefit from playing with these toys in many ways such as problem-solving ability, sensory skills, logic-based skills, and fine motor skills.
Playing with puzzles or arts & crafts toys means your child will spend less time on screen. Some toys on this list are perfect for group playtime which encourages social skills as well.
3. Can solar system toys be used in group plays?
Yes, your child can invite their friends over and start a group play. Some toys mentioned on our list are specifically easy to play in large numbers such as the Jigamix Outer Space Science Kit for Kids or the WATINC 35Pcs Outer Space Felt Board Story Set which offer endless playing possibilities. Find out what your child enjoys the most and invest in a toy that they will never want to put down!
