Remember that feeling in school when you walked in and realized that you forgot a project was due? Pure panic in the bottom of your gut?! Yeah, that happened to me today, but it wasn’t my homework, it was my daughter’s for preschool. We were supposed to make a planet this weekend out of paper mache or styrofoam, and I totally spaced.
To make matters worse she was too sick to stay at school, so we left and headed straight for a quick stop at Michael’s. Thank goodness for my iphone, where I quickly googled ‘how to make a planet’. One of the first ones that popped up used an old CD or DVD as the ‘rings’. Perfect! I then had to google which planets have rings. (Yeah…I am seriously going to suck at helping with homework when she gets older.) I showed Lila, and she liked the colors of Saturn, bingo!
how to make a planet using an old cd!
So if you ever find yourself needing to make an intergalactic project, all you need is a 4-inch styrofoam ball, some paint (we used Crayola), a toothpick, a CD or DVD, and some hot glue. Oh, and if you have a little diva…might want to throw in some glitter.
 What you need! |
| Egg cartons make the best paint containers. |
Step 1: Cut & Paint
Cut the styrofoam ball in half for your child, then divvy up the paint. I let the Lila pour in her paint and have fun. She wanted to paint it in rainbow ROYGBIV order, but I only gave her the option of 4 colors. Little bugger mixed and made green and purple anyways.
Then she decided to glitter-fy it. I always do these things outside on our old porch table, that way we don’t get paint and glitter all over the house.
Step 2: Assemble
After it drys (during nap time) hot glue the DVD on the bottom of the planet. Then stick the toothpick in the center and add a little more glue to the top, and voila! You have the easiest planet ever.
This was super easy for an almost five year old, and was cheap, because all we had to buy was the styrofoam ball. It ended up being a nice project to do while she was under the weather. I’m actually really proud of her (and me) for doing this mostly on her own. I of course put on the hot glue, but she really did this by herself. It’s hard as a parent to let go and let them make a mess…but this was really fun for her. And me too. Plus I got an awesome solar system lesson…
Me: “Lila, are you sure you don’t want to make Mercury, it’s the red planet. Red is your favorite color.”
Lila: “Uh excuse me? Mars is the red planet.” (insert eye roll)
Doesn’t everyone confuse Mercury and Mars? I mean it’s been eons since school, or since I’ve watched a space movie…geez. Yep, I’m in for it. Thank you to the inventor of google…I’m going to need you…a lot in the coming years!
Good luck if you are attempting an out of this world school project, you can’t go wrong with this one! Looking for more great art projects? Please give us a like on Facebook for more inspiration!
And if you liked this post, check out this Frozen Paint Project!
Or our Paleo Painting Activity!
And don’t forget to check out our Playdough recipes!
This is a super cute craft! I co-host a parenting hop on Tuesdays that this would be perfect for! Stopping by with #SITSBlogging
I know this is amazing
This is so cute! I will have to try this with my son when he is a little older. He’s a cool little nerd, so I’m sure he will love it. #SITSBlogging
This is adorable. Pinned! Thanks so much for sharing and you are awesome at tutorials, btw.
I love this idea! Very Cute! Thanks for sharing! I know my little boy would love this. I’m pinning to make with him this week. #SITSBlogging
Kim
What an awesome idea!! My kids would have a blast with this project. Definitley pinning this!
What a great idea! I wish I had seen this last month when I taught a unit on space & planets. This would have been a good project for my students to make.
This is a great idea! Very Creative! I have had my moments when my son will tell me that he has a project due tomorrow and it is 9pm at night…lol. I do not know what I would without Google during times such as this #SITSBlogging
Oh I LOVE that!!! I am going to have to show this one to my daughter, she would have a blast painting one. Thanks! #SITSBlogging
oh this is so fun!! I love it. My son is really into planets and space right now, so I know he’d love this project.
#sitsblogging
I’m always impressed by simple crafts that look impressive. Especially when that craft is done on the cheap. This is such an adorable idea, thank you for sharing it!
Stopping by from #SITSblogging!
Lauren
That looks amazing!
Thanks for linking up with the parenting pin it party this week x x
Oh I love this! Pinned it 🙂 my son is obsessed with planets at the moment, and glitter! Found via Mondays parenting pin party
Lol, she totally called you out.This is so effective. I’ll pin it too #parentingpinitparty
Of course she did! Glad you liked it..we did too!
Fun! Hilarious that she corrected you. They retain obscure facts just fine, but “put your shoes away” totally escapes their memory…
I have made numerous “solar systems”. I really like this simple idea! My youngest is now 10 but I am sure he would love this. Thanks for sharing.
Beyond The Surface: 100 Day Blog Challenge
Great idea and looks fab. I will pin.
#Parenting-Pin-It-Party my pinterest ID is http://www.pinterest.com/letkidsbekids1/
Thanks Karen! Will follow you on pinterest!
I love this idea.
#Parenting-Pin-It-Party
That is a fabulous idea! My son is obsessed with planets, so this would be a perfect craft for him. I love that it can mostly be done by the child.
Cutest idea for our old CD’s! My kiddos would love to do this one afternoon! Thanks for linking up at Tell Me About It Tuesday. I can’t wait to see what you share next week!
That is the cutest thing ever! My boys would love this, and what a great idea to use a CD. Thanks so much for sharing on Inspire Me Wednesday.
Thanks Mel! I appreciate the link ups!
Ooh–I have to do this next year for one of my kids. I’m so glad I saw this! Thanks for linking up with the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party. I have pinned your post to the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Board!
Thanks Tammy!
This is so clever!! LOVE it! Pinning this and also thrilled to find a use for all the CDs we have sitting around!
Thanks for linking up at Wordy Wednesday!
this is so cool even my teens would like it thanks for sharing at friday pin fest have a great day
So clever! My 4 year old wants to do one now! Thanks for linking up with us at the Create Link Inspire party! You were featured today! http://www.marvelousmommy.com/2014/02/7-featured-crafts-for-kids/
What a great idea! A good thing to remember for school projects too!
This is a great project. My son has a space-themed room. I see this in our future.
Thanks for sharing,
Kelly
What a cute idea~ I loved your Tip Me Tuesday link this week. {thanks girl!} Would you like Tip Junkie to feature your blog post to over 200,000 creative women? If you upload this blog post into your Tip Junkie craft room using at least 2 images, 2 steps, and blog post URL then I can easily feature it in my RSS feed, home page, and all my social networks instantly. {squealing with delight} ~ Laurie {a.k.a. the Tip Junkie}
http://www.tipjunkie.com/post/how-to-add-a-craft-room-project-on-tip-junkie/
Such a great idea and so much fun! My girls would love making these! Definitely going to try them out when we learn about Space in a month 🙂 Thank you for stopping by and linking over at Thoughtful Spot Weekly Blog Hop! You are featured as one of my favorites this week!
Awww, thank you for the feature Victoria. My daughter really had a blast doing this project.
Super cute! My son would have so much fun with this!
Pinning to remember when the kids need to make one of these for school! Such an easy idea!
Thanks so much for the idea! I’m so not creative. My son chose Uranus! Did you know Uranus has rings? Well it does!! Thanks again because I was totally freaking out!