My 4 Year Old Wants to Learn More About the Solar System

Updated on April 11, 2011
J.G. asks from Sherman, IL
14 answers

I'd like to find some books or toys that would be age appropriate. Any suggestions?

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So What Happened?

Thank you for the suggestions so far. I'm really excited to find something that will help him to learn more. I certainly can't answer all of his questions!

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H.D.

answers from Chicago on

The hobby shops have great stuff that is easy to put together and they have solar system glow in the dark wall decals too. The Scholastic Books website has age appropriate books on the subject as well. We watch NatGeo on Youtube too.

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P.F.

answers from Dallas on

YES! There are a lot. When my daughter was little, she was so curious about the solar system (stars & moon mostly). She now at age 10 1/2 wants to be an astronomer and can tell you so much about the solar system it would make your head spin. Enrich your child by visiting planetariums, looking at the stars at night, and reading books. Here are a couple of younger aged books that we have been through:

There's No Place Like Space - Dr. Suess
First Space Encyclopedia
What's Out There?

Keep in mind, Pluto is no longer a "planet". it is a dwarf planet (still think its a planet, but my daughter will put up an argument - LOL) and some books might still say it is.

Have fun exploring!

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R.M.

answers from Cumberland on

http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&biw=1008...#

this looked like fun. When my children were little-they had (still do) a globe with cutouts that was lighted inside and would show the constellations on the ceiling and walls-it was like having a mini planiterium-I can't tell you how cool this was-they are still on the market:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00339UNCA/ref=asc_df_B00339UNCA...

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A.H.

answers from Chicago on

My 4 year old also loves the solar system. Ditto on the books below. Also we got him a solar system calendar for his room - each month when we turn the page we get a picture of a new planet or a moon/moons picture and they have lots of facts on that planet/moon.

Also we got him the Moon in my Room...he can light it up with a remote...very cool nightlight. Looks just like the moon, it's mounted on his wall near the ceiling. You can change it to be 1/4 moon, and in increments all the way to a full moon. He loves it. Also we took him to the Chicago Adler Planetarium's Planet Explorers, a permanent exhibit that is just for kids. It's amazing!

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A.S.

answers from Chicago on

Sorry for the late response. As others have mentioned, "There's No Place Like Space" is a great book. We also have "Planets: A Solar system stickerbook" by Ellen Hasbrouck. Not all of the books have been updated to change the status of Pluto. If you look up either of these books on amazon, you'll get lots of other suggestions, under "If you like this,..."

My son is crazy about space and rockets in general, so we have just about every toddler book about space. If your child is also interested in the moon or space, there's also "Man on the Moon," "Astronaut Handbook," "Roaring Rockets." Again, once you look up one of these titles, you'll get lots of other suggestions from amazon.

Have fun!

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A.M.

answers from Chicago on

No place like Space by Dr. Seuss!! Great fun book!

There is also a song from Blue's Clues that is very simple - you may want to google that and try and download it from somewhere - might be a great car song.

Enjoy - my son got into the solar system a few years ago - he still loves it and he's 7 now. It is fun to watch how much more they learn on the same subject as the years go by!

L.M.

answers from Dover on

I have some books that I got for my son when he was in elementary school but they are for ages 6 & up. Funny thing is, my daughter's 4 yr old preschool class is learning about the solar system this week and they each are presenting their project on a planet of their choice as well.

Look on line, you can probably find all sorts of information.

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J.G.

answers from Chicago on

I just took my five year old to the Planeturium? the other day and she had a blast. It all came from one episode of the Nick Jr. show the Bubble Guppies when they were learnig about the solar system. Try to catch that show. It was reallt great and educational.

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L.A.

answers from Chicago on

Scholastic have some easy to read & understand books on solar system.
Scholastic.com

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M.O.

answers from Chicago on

There is a pretty cool science store located near central/milwaukee. Im sorry i cant think of the name, but its in the little mini mall next to the Blue Angel Restaurant. All kinds of neat science projects and quite a few things with space. Might be worth checking out!!

J.G.

answers from San Antonio on

Bill Nye the Science guy -- he may be a little advanced, but he makes learning science so much fun. :)

(our library has them on loan for free. You'll have to check yours).

J.F.

answers from Philadelphia on

my daughter was obsessed with the solar system last year when she was 3...the great thig is that barnes and nobles and borders all of the kids educational books seem to be discounted, go there and take a look, one even had a mobile to build together in it that we got, also that have a solar system mobile you can attach to the cieling that lights up and rotates...such an awesome subject..when we were interviewing preschools my daughter would ask the teachers if they would teach her about the solar system as part of er interview questions, that if you make 3 year olds nap were her 2 most important things to find out.

Y.C.

answers from New York on

What about those solar system stickers that glow in the dark? Is a book from Dr Seuss, "There is no place like space", also puzzles are good, or this one:

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4400810

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C.S.

answers from Chicago on

Go to the library!!! Ours has a whole shelf full of age-appropriate books on the solar system, as well as tons of educational dvd's for kids on scientific topics like bugs, health, the solar system, the seasons, animals, .....you name it.

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