It’s easy to create solar system art using sponge painting and our latest printable template.
In this tutorial we’ll show you how to paint all the planets of our solar system, plus the sun and the moon, using a masking technique.
*Please note this is no longer a free resource
Get the template here
Not long ago, we shared a set of solar system cards. You can download them for free from our printables library.
I also promised to share an art idea that relates to the cards and here it is: solar system sponge art.
According to my husband, I’m an expert at blowing my own trumpet when it comes to creative projects (and tasty dinners), haha. But I really do think this planet art looks great, and when I think that I can’t help saying so.
This project is suitable for grades 1-6, although for younger kids you might need to use blu-tack or similar to keep the template in place when painting.
Creating planet art is a good way to support learning about space and our solar system. You can make just one planet, or all of them.
Hang them on the wall in the correct order to help kids learn the order of the planets from the sun.
To make life easy, the planet cards you need to use for reference in this project are also included in the download.
The sponge dabbing art technique we used is a little messy — so cover your table surface — but it’s a lot of fun.
Here’s how to create planet art …
How to make solar system art
You will need:
- The masking template, printed out on ordinary white paper
- The solar system planet cards for reference
- Card stock in black or dark blue
- A kitchen sponge cut into small pieces
- Acrylic paint in the colour of the planets you wish to paint
- Scissors
- Q-tip / cotton bud
- Glue stick
How to:
Fold the planet template in half and cut out the circle. Discard the centre and use the outside as a mask.
Place the mask over the top of your black sheet of card stock. This can be done by just holding the mask in place, being careful not to let it move or slip. However, you might find it easier to hold the masking sheet in place with a little bit of blu-tack or removable masking (painters) tape. The second option would be especially helpful if you’re working with younger kids.
Select a planet card to use as a reference. Use sponge squares to dab colour in roughly the same places and shades as the planet on your reference card.
Peel the mask away. For the sun, dab a few extra sparks around the edge of the circle in pale yellow after removing the mask.
When making Jupiter, add a swirl using a cotton bud to create it’s famous spot marking. Did you know that the spot is a storm so big that it could engulf all of Earth?
Dot stars around the planet using a Q-tip (cotton bud).
When making Saturn and Uranus, wait for the circle shape of the planet to dry before using the ring mask to add the rings
Glue the planet label on when you’re finished.
We were super happy with how our solar system art turned out. We hope you have fun making it too!
You might also like:
- Make some galaxy painted pots using toothbrush splatter painting
- Use sponge fragments to create colourful kaleidoscope prints
- This sunset boat art idea combines a paint blending technique with paper mosaic to create a pretty water silhouette scene
- Use our printable template to make a 3D paper doodlebug craft
Peter says
Hi
Could you please send me the solar system art pdf?
The box above doesn’t seem to actually send it.
Thanks
Peter
Kate says
Did you check your spam filter Peter? I received your email and replied with the PDF file attached so you should definitely have it.
Karina says
Necesitaría el pdf delnaistema solar por favor si lo comparten
Kate says
Fill out the form in the blog post to get the template
Htoi San Ing says
Could you please send me the templates ?
Kate says
You need to put your address into the email form and the templates will be emailed to you
Ms. Patton says
Thank you for this AMAZING resource!! My 2nd graders were so engrossed in their learning and painting. Love it when they have fun while learning.
Kate says
I love getting comments like this. Thanks so much for letting me know 🙂
Elyse says
Could you please email me the template? I put my details in above but it did not come through. Thank you.
Kate says
Hi, did you check your spam filter?
Danielle says
Hi,
Could you please email me the template?
Thanks!
Kate says
Hi Danielle, you need to put your email address in the form provided in the post, then the template will be delivered automatically
Lonnie says
Please email me the template. My 4 year old is obsessed with the solar system,he would love doing this project.
Kate says
Hi Lonnie, the email is sent to you automatically when you put your email adress in the form provided
Myriam says
Hello !
It’s so nice ! Could you send me the template please ?
Thank you very much !
Kate says
Hi Miriam, you need to put your email in the subscription box and the download will be sent to you automatically. Subscription is free.
Siena says
Amazing!
chloe says
can i use this template in my online english class ? + can I use one of your photos of the activity to advertise the class ?
Thanks !
Kate says
If it’s a commercial venture, then no. I don’t allow my crafts to be used for other people’s online businesses.
chloe says
no problem , thank you for clarifying .
Deniz says
Hello, can I get a copy of the resource? I put details in and checked multiple times and not seeing anything.
Thank you
Kate says
Have you checked your spam filter?
Linden says
Kate, Thank you for this resource. I love the photo images and samples of great finished images to help encourage children with their paintings .
Kate says
Glad you like it 🙂