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An exciting look at NASA's journey to Mars, featuring real photographs and information about what it takes to explore the Red Planet. Perfect for young space enthusiasts.

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A detailed exploration of Mars with stunning visuals and age-appropriate text, covering everything from its atmosphere to recent rover missions.

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A humorous yet informative look at what life on Mars would really be like, highlighting the challenges of Mars colonization.

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Interactive online resource featuring games, activities, and articles about Mars exploration suitable for elementary students.

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NASA encourages you to visit NASA Kids' Club and use its games and activities to inspire the next generation.

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Child-friendly articles and multimedia content about Mars, its features, and ongoing missions.

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Mars is a cold desert world. It is half the size of Earth. Mars is sometimes called the Red Planet. It's red because of rusty iron in the ground.

Like Earth, Mars has seasons, polar ice caps, volcanoes, canyons, and weather. It has a very thin atmosphere made of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and argon.

There are signs of ancient floods on Mars, but now water mostly exists in icy dirt and thin clouds. On some Martian hillsides, there is evidence of liquid salty water in the ground.

Scientists want to know if Mars may have had living things in the past. They also want to know if Mars could support life now or in the future.

Structure and Surface

Mars is a terrestrial planet. It is small and rocky.

Mars has a thin atmosphere.

Mars has an active atmosphere, but the surface of the planet is not active. Its volcanoes are dead.

Time on Mars

One day on Mars lasts 24.6 hours. It is just a little longer than a day on Earth.

One year on Mars is 687 Earth days. It is almost twice as long as one year on Earth.

Mars' Neighbors

Mars has two moons. Their names are Phobos and Deimos.

Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun. That means Earth and Jupiter are Mars' neighboring planets.

Quick History

Mars has been known since ancient times because it can be seen without advanced telescopes.

Several missions have visited Mars. And Mars is the only planet we have sent rovers to. They drive around Mars, taking pictures and measurements.

What does Mars look like?

For more information visit:
NASA's Mars Exploration Program NASA Solar System Exploration

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Mars is a cold desert world. It is half the size of Earth. Mars is sometimes called the Red Planet. It's red because of rusty iron in the ground. Like Earth, Mars has seasons, polar ice caps, volcanoes, canyons, and weather. It has a very thin atmosphere made of carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and argon.

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Latest updates and information about NASA's Perseverance rover mission on Mars, written for young audiences.

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Robotic Space Exploration - www.jpl.nasa.gov

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A special edition focusing on Mars, featuring articles about its geography, potential for life, and future human missions.

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Mission to Mars! Earth Science Article for Students | Scholastic SuperScience Magazine

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A new rover heads to the Red Planet to search for signs of alien life

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Collection of Mars-related articles and facts written specifically for elementary school readers.

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Facts about Mars

1) Named after the Roman God of war, Mars is the fourth planet from the sun in our solar system.

2) Mars is also known as the ' Red Planet' because, well, it's red! This signature colour comes from the large amount of a chemical called iron oxide (or 'rust' as you might know it) in its rocks and soil.

3) Mars is the second smallest planet in the solar system after Mercury. With a diameter (distance through the middle) of 6,791 kilometres, it's roughly half the size of Earth.

4) It can get pretty cold on Mars -- much colder than our own planet, since it's further away from the sun. At the equator, temperatures can reach 20°C, but at its poles they can plummet to as low as -140°C. Brr!

5) Mars is home to the highest mountain in our solar system -- a volcano called Olympus Mons. Standing a whopping 24 kilometres high, it's about three times the height of Mount Everest!

Did you know...? There are bits of Mars here on Earth! In the past, asteroids hit the Red Planet, sending debris into space. Some of this debris landed on our planet as meteorites.

6) You could jump around three times higher on Mars than you can on Earth. Boing! This is because the planet's gravity - the force that keeps us on the ground - is much weaker.

7) Do you like to look at the at night? Well, check this out -- Mars has two moons! One is called Phobos and the other Deimos.

8) A day on Mars is 24 hours and 37 minutes -- only a little bit longer than a day on our own planet. A year on Mars, however, is almost twice as long, lasting 687 Earth days! This is because it takes a lot longer than Earth to complete its orbit around the Sun.

9) Until recently, scientists believed that there was no liquid water on the surface of Mars -- only rocks, soil dust and ice. But... News flash! In 2018, they found evidence of a lake under the planet's south polar ice cap. Exciting stuff!

Did you know that we have a FREE downloadable Mars primary resource? Great for teachers, homeschoolers and parents alike!

10) Humans have not yet been to Mars, but scientists have sent spacecraft there to help them research this fascinating planet. The first spacecraft to land on Mars were the Viking Landers, which touched down on the surface in 1976.

What did you think of our facts about Mars? Leave a comment below and let us know!

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Facts about Mars | Facts for kids | National Geographic Kids

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1) Named after the Roman God of war, Mars is the fourth planet from the sun in our solar system . 2) Mars is also known as the ' Red Planet' because, well, it's red! This signature colour comes from the large amount of a chemical called iron oxide (or 'rust' as you might know it) in its rocks and soil.

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Space Encyclopedia: A Tour of Our Solar System and Beyond

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Space Encyclopedia: A Tour of Our Solar System and Beyond

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Comprehensive guide to space with detailed sections about Mars and planetary exploration, featuring stunning illustrations.

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An engaging introduction to astronomy that includes significant coverage of Mars and space exploration.

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Fun facts and activities about space, including detailed information about Mars and its place in our solar system.