Solar System Crossword Puzzle | Free Printable Worksheet

A low-stakes way to review a space unit with upper-elementary students: the Sun, all eight planets in order, and the words they need to explain how it all moves. Ready to print as a bell ringer, a science center activity, or an early-finisher handout — no prep beyond hitting print.

Printable solar system crossword puzzle with clues about the planets, the Sun, and space vocabulary
Solar system crossword for upper elementary, made with buildacrossword.com.
Solar system crossword puzzle answer key, all answers filled in
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Words used in this puzzle

What star is at the center of our solar system? | SUN
What planet is closest to the Sun? | MERCURY
What is the hottest planet, wrapped in thick clouds? | VENUS
What planet do we live on? | EARTH
What planet is known as the Red Planet? | MARS
What is the largest planet in our solar system? | JUPITER
What planet is famous for its bright rings? | SATURN
What planet spins on its side as it travels around the Sun? | URANUS
What planet is farthest from the Sun? | NEPTUNE
What travels around Earth and lights up the night sky? | MOON
What is the curved path a planet travels around the Sun called? | ORBIT
What force pulls objects toward each other and keeps planets in orbit? | GRAVITY
What icy space object grows a glowing tail when it gets close to the Sun? | COMET
What rocky object orbits the Sun, mostly in a belt between Mars and Jupiter? | ASTEROID
What tool makes faraway objects in the sky look closer? | TELESCOPE

Copy and paste directly into the crossword maker.

Swap this list for whatever your class is studying right now — the Moon's phases, stars and constellations, or the water cycle — the same approach works for any science vocabulary set. Paste the whole list in at once with the bulk-paste option, or add clues one at a time. Print one copy per student with answers hidden, then flip on Show answers and print a second copy for yourself as an answer key. No login, no student accounts, and nothing about your class gets collected or stored.

Perfect for

  • Review before a solar system test
  • Science center or partner activity
  • Bell ringer during a space unit
  • Sub plan for a 3-5 science block