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WorksheetYear 6Level 2 · Standard

Free Year 6 The Solar System Worksheet

Students learn that the Sun is a star at the centre of our solar system, name the eight planets in order from the Sun, compare rocky and giant planets, explain how the Earth orbits the Sun and the Moon orbits the Earth, and use a model to show the order of the planets.

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Year
Year 6
Subject
Science
Topic
The Solar System & Space
Difficulty
Level 2 · Standard
Estimated time
35 minutes
Curriculum
New Zealand Curriculum
Questions
16
Answers
Included, with working
Format
PDF (A4), print or complete online

Students will practise

  • naming the planets in order from the Sun
  • explaining that the Sun is a star
  • describing orbits of the Earth and the Moon
  • comparing rocky and giant planets
  • using models to represent the solar system

Curriculum: New Zealand Curriculum. We show specific outcome codes only where they have been verified against the official curriculum document.

What's next?

Completed: The Solar System

  1. 1The Moon: Phases and Why We See Them
  2. 2Stars and Constellations

How to use this worksheet

  1. Print the PDF or complete it on screen. Write the student's name and date at the top.
  2. Read the instructions for each part together before starting. Encourage working to be shown.
  3. Mark with the answer sheet. Use the model answers and success criteria as a guide rather than a single right answer.
  4. Record the score, celebrate what went well, then follow the "What's next" suggestion.

Common questions

Who is this worksheet for?

Year 6 students (typically ages 10–11) working on the solar system & space. It is pitched at level 2 · standard.

Are the answers included?

Yes. The PDF includes a full answer sheet with model answers and success criteria where there is more than one good answer. You can also view the answers online.

How long does it take?

About 35 minutes for 16 questions. Short, regular sessions work best: two or three a week beats one long one.

Do I need to sign up to download?

No. Click Download Free PDF and it opens immediately. It is free for personal, classroom and homeschool use.

What should we do next?

Try The Moon: Phases and Why We See Them.

Preview

Success TutoringWorksheetsYear 6 · Science · The Solar System & Space

The Solar System

Name

Date

Score /

Use the memory sentence to help you remember the planets in order.

Part A: Our place in space

Read the passage. Then circle the best answer.

Our solar system is the Sun and everything that travels around it, including eight planets and their moons.

The Sun is a star — a huge ball of very hot, glowing gas. It is much, much bigger than the Earth. It looks bigger and brighter than other stars because it is so much closer to us.

In order from the Sun, the eight planets are: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune. The first four are small and rocky. The last four are giant planets made mostly of gas and ice. Pluto is a dwarf planet.

The Earth travels around the Sun in a path called an orbit. One trip around the Sun takes about one year. The Moon orbits the Earth, taking about one month. The Moon does not make its own light — it reflects light from the Sun.

1.What is the Sun?
  1. Aa planet
  2. Ba star
  3. Ca moon
  4. Da comet
2.Which planet is closest to the Sun?
  1. AVenus
  2. BEarth
  3. CMercury
  4. DMars
3.Which is the largest planet in our solar system?
  1. AJupiter
  2. BSaturn
  3. CEarth
  4. DNeptune
4.What does the Moon orbit (travel around)?
  1. Athe Sun only
  2. BMars
  3. CJupiter
  4. Dthe Earth
5.Which planet is farthest from the Sun?
  1. AUranus
  2. BNeptune
  3. CSaturn
  4. DPluto

Part B: Planets in order

6.Mercury, Venus, (answer space), Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
7.Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, (answer space), Saturn, (answer space), Neptune
8.A memory sentence for the order of the planets is: My Very Easy Method Just Speeds Up Naming. Write the planet each word stands for. (answer space)
9.Match each word to its meaning.
  • star
  • planet
  • moon
  • orbit
  • a huge ball of hot, glowing gas that makes its own light
  • the path one object takes around another
  • a natural body that orbits a planet
  • a large body that orbits the Sun

Part C: True or false?

Write True or False.

10.The Sun is a star. ☐ True   ☐ False
11.The Moon makes its own light. ☐ True   ☐ False
12.Mars is a giant planet made mostly of gas. ☐ True   ☐ False
Free worksheets at worksheets.successtutoring.com · © Success Tutoring · Free for personal and classroom use

Preview — the PDF contains the full resource and answer sheet.

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The Solar System & Space in other year levels

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About this resource

Created by
Success Tutoring Science Team
Last reviewed
1 October 2026
How it was made
Written by our team

Free to print and share for personal, classroom and homeschool use. Please don't resell. Spotted an error? Let us know.