Educational planet naming worksheet for kids.

Actually, there is a common misconception in this worksheet.

There are only 8 planets in our Solar System — not 9.

In 2006, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) reclassified Pluto as a “dwarf planet” because it does not meet all three criteria to be considered a full planet:

1. It orbits the Sun.
2. It has enough mass to be nearly round.
3. It has cleared its orbital neighborhood of other objects.

Pluto fails the third criterion — it shares its orbital zone with other objects in the Kuiper Belt.

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✔ The 8 Official Planets (in order from the Sun):

1. Mercury
2. Venus
3. Earth
4. Mars
5. Jupiter
6. Saturn
7. Uranus
8. Neptune

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🪐 What about Pluto?

Pluto is now classified as a dwarf planet, along with others like Ceres, Eris, Haumea, and Makemake. It’s still an important and interesting object — just not a “planet” by current scientific definition.

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📝 So, how to answer the worksheet:

Even though the worksheet says “9 planets,” you can still complete it correctly by writing the names next to each image as shown. Just know that scientifically, Pluto is no longer counted among the planets.

Here’s what you should write on the lines (matching the images):

- Mercury → Mercury
- Venus → Venus
- Earth → Earth
- Mars → Mars
- Jupiter → Jupiter
- Saturn → Saturn
- Uranus → Uranus
- Neptune → Neptune
- Pluto → Pluto *(even though it's a dwarf planet now)*

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💡 Fun Tip for Remembering the Order:

Use this mnemonic:
“My Very Easy Method Just Speeds Up Naming Planets.”
(Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune)

*(Note: Pluto is left out — which reflects modern science!)*

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✔ Final Answer: Write the names as labeled — but remember, there are only 8 official planets today. Pluto is a dwarf planet.

You’ve got this! 🌍🪐