Solar System Puzzle and Cards
A solar system puzzle or card set shows the sun and the eight planets in order, for children of about 4 to 6. On October 5, 2026 Alison's Montessori sold printed nomenclature cards for $15.00 and a wooden puzzle for $59.99, the only two we found. Card circles and a lamp do the same job.
The first lesson with it is The Sun and the Planets (Solar System). Not sure your child is ready for it? Two minutes of questions place your child on the sequence.
| Area | Cultural |
|---|---|
| Used in | |
| From age | 4 to 6 years |
| Make it | Easy to make at home |
| Buy it | About $15 to $60 (noted ) |
What the solar system puzzle and cards are for
The child lays out the planets from the sun and names them. The earth is third. A lamp and a globe show the earth going round the sun once a year.
The solar system isn't in Montessori's books of 1912 to 1917. It's a later addition to the cultural area.
| Part | What it looks like |
|---|---|
| Sun and planets | Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune |
| Puzzle | Alison's is 10.5 by 10.5 inches and adds dwarf planets, the moon, comets and more |
| Cards | Alison's set has 22 picture-label, 22 picture and 22 label cards, a control chart and a booklet |
The lessons that use the solar system puzzle and cards
The Sun and the Planets (Solar System)
4 to 6 yearsLearning that the earth is one of eight planets going round the sun, and learning the planets' names in order, with a puzzle and a lamp.
Buying one: 2 listings checked October 5, 2026
| Seller and set | Made of | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Alison's MontessoriThe Solar System Nomenclature Cards (3-6), Printed (G123.01)22 picture-label, 22 picture and 22 label cards, a control chart and a booklet. Eight planets plus dwarf planets, moons and comets. Made in USA. | 80 lb card stock | $15.00 |
| Alison's MontessoriThe Solar System Puzzle (G123.08)10.5 by 10.5 inches. The sun, eight planets, dwarf planets, the moon, comets and more. Ages 3 to 9. Choking hazard warning. Made in USA. | Wood, 6 mm pieces on a 6 mm base | $59.99 |
- Only Alison's Montessori sold solar system material when we looked. Montessori Outlet, Montessori Services, Nienhuis and The Montessori Room had none.
- The cards at $15.00 cover the naming lessons. The puzzle adds a hands-on layout.
- Check that any set shows eight planets, with Pluto as a dwarf planet if it appears.
- Alison's puzzle also shows dwarf planets and comets, more than a 4-year-old needs at first.
Making the solar system puzzle and cards at home
What to gather
- Colored card or paper
- A compass or round lids to trace
- A marker for the names
| Piece | Size and marking | How many |
|---|---|---|
| Sun | About 20 cm across, yellow | 1 |
| Planets | 2 to 8 cm across, Jupiter largest, Mercury smallest | 8 |
- 1Cut the sun and the eight planets, roughly sized, with Jupiter largest and Mercury smallest.
- 2Color them, and add rings to Saturn.
- 3Write each name on the back for a control.
- 4Lay them out in order from the sun on a rug or a long strip of paper.
Keeping a full set on the shelf
- Keep the pieces in order in an envelope or box.
- Replace any card that bends; a curled planet rolls away.
Questions parents ask about the solar system puzzle and cards
Is there a Montessori solar system material?
Not a classic one. Puzzles and nomenclature cards are later additions; Alison's Montessori sells both.
How many planets should a solar system puzzle show?
Eight. Pluto has been classed as a dwarf planet since 2006.
Can I make solar system cards?
Yes. Card circles for the sun and planets, roughly sized and named on the back, work well.
Before the solar system puzzle and cards, make sure the work before it is solid. The continent globe (painted globe) lesson lists the signs that a child is ready to move on.