Colin Butcher, a pet detective, with his highly-trained spaniel, Molly.

A pet detective’s amazing tales!

Colin and his dog, Molly. Photo: © Colin Butcher The Pet Detectives Ltd

Colin Butcher and his detective dog use their skills (and some science) to solve animal crimes. He’s told us some incredible stories in Whizz Pop Bang: DARING DETECTIVES, but we wanted to share even more with you!

You can find Whizz Pop Bang 92: DARING DETECTIVES in our shop from 1st March 2023!

Molly: the Pet Detective Dog by Colin Butcher is the true story of one amazing dog who reunites missing cats with their families. Find out more about Colin’s book here.

Colin has written a book about his clever cocker spaniel, Molly.

With the help of Molly, the Pet Detective Dog, and the team at The Pet Detectives, Colin has great success in recovering missing or stolen cats, dogs and other animals throughout the UK.

Molly, hard at work. Photo: © Colin Butcher The Pet Detectives Ltd

Read some of their success stories here:

Looking for Lucy

We once had a client who lived in the USA, who had donated $50,000 to help save unwanted dogs from the streets of Turkey. The story was, a lady who was running a rescue centre in Turkey would ship these dogs to America where they would be given new homes. Unfortunately, the woman who was running the rescue centre started to spend the money on herself and neglected the dogs. One of the dogs, Lucy, was going to be adopted by our client – but she disappeared from the rescue centre just before the police arrived. 

We were asked to conduct an investigation and find Lucy. We discovered that the day before the police had arrived at the rescue centre in Turkey, a delivery van had collected one of the dogs and left for eastern Europe. We found out that the van belonged to a company in Romania who occasionally delivered goods to England. We suspected that Lucy may have been smuggled out of Turkey, taken to Romania, and was now heading for England under a false name. We managed to find all the locations the van had delivered to in England, one of which was very close to a small dog rescue in Cumbria. We researched the rescue centre and discovered that the owner was a friend of the woman who lived in Turkey.

A week later, we went to the rescue centre in Cumbria and pretended to be looking for a new pet. We discovered Lucy (also known as Lady) tucked away in a small compound at the back of the rescue centre. We managed to convince the owner of the centre to let us adopt Lady and a few days later she was on her way to America to start a new life with our client.

Van-ished cat

Lulu, a Silver British Short-Hair climbed into the back of a delivery van in Wimbledon and jumped out when the driver arrived back at his depot. We worked out where Lulu had gone and introduced camera traps and feed stations to encourage her to remain in one spot. We then introduced a den for her and after five days we recovered her from the exact same spot where she had last been seen. She had sustained quite a bad injury whilst missing but, after receiving the appropriate care, made a full recovery.

Return to owner

Derrick abandoned his home in Willesden after being forced out of his territory by an older, more dominant tom cat. Working closely with Derrick’s owner, we removed the threat from the more dominant cat and then introduced a displacement strategy to encourage Derrick to return home. He was recovered one day later and is now safely back with his owner.


Post Comment

Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day!

To celebrate Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day on the 25th February 2023, here are some fun and inspiring activities and interviews to share with the girls in your life. You never know, one might grow up to be an engineer!

Reading comprehension: Electrical Engineer

Find out what it’s like to be an electrical engineering whizz with this inspirational interview with Nikita Hari. Includes the feature to print or to read on a tablet, as well as comprehension question and answer sheet.

Engineering activity: Design your own bridge 

Get busy designing and building your own bridge and experiment to see how much weight it can hold!

Reading comprehension: Explosions Engineer

Find out why Kate Biberdorf loves to blow things up to inspire her students! Includes the feature to print or to read on a tablet, as well as comprehension question and answer sheets.

Engineering activity: Water wheel lifter

Can you lift a weight using the power of water? Try this fun science activity to find out!

Engineering activity: Make a model wind turbine activity

Print, cut and craft a model wind turbine to try out in windy weather!

Want more engineering activities?

Subscribers to Whizz Pop Bang are automatically enrolled to the Y’s Wonder Club and can complete science challenges to earn collectible enamel badges!

Epic Engineer Badge
Think like an engineer to earn an Epic Engineer badge! Identify a problem, design a solution, get building, then test and improve your design. 

Click here to find out more… 


Fill your child with science wonder with a subscription to Whizz Pop Bang, the award-winning magazine for 6 to 12-year-olds. Watch their face light up with glee when their very own magazine zooms through the letterbox! Packed full of hands-on science awesomeness, it’s the gift that keeps of delighting, month after month.


Post Comment
A cut out papercraft model of the solar system free to download

Free Solar System Craft for Kids: Make a Model of the Planets

Updated July 2026

Looking for a fun and easy way to help children learn about the planets? Download our free solar system printable and make your own model of the solar system at home or in the classroom.

This hands-on solar system craft for kids is a brilliant way to learn the names and order of the eight planets while practising cutting, sticking and following instructions.

A cut out papercraft model of the solar system free to download

Simply download the printable, grab some scissors and glue, and get ready for an out-of-this-world science activity!

Learn the order of the planets by making a model solar system. Just download, print, add scissors and glue, and your astronauts-in-training will do the rest. It’s out of this world! 

How to make your solar system model

You will need:

  • Our free solar system printable
  • Scissors
  • Glue

Download and print the activity sheet, then follow the instructions to cut out and assemble your model.

As children make their solar system, encourage them to identify each planet and put them in the correct order from the Sun.

The eight planets in our solar system are:

Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune.

Can your young scientist remember them all?

What will children learn from this solar system activity?

Making a model of the solar system helps children explore space science through a fun, hands-on activity.

Children can:

  • Learn the names of the eight planets
  • Discover the order of the planets from the Sun
  • Compare the different planets in our solar system
  • Practise cutting, sticking and following instructions
  • Build confidence with science vocabulary

It’s a simple activity for families, home educators and primary school teachers looking for an engaging way to introduce or reinforce learning about Earth and space.

What age is this solar system craft suitable for?

This activity is designed for children aged approximately 6 to 12.

Younger children may need some help with cutting and assembling their model, while older children can use the activity as a starting point for further investigations.

Try asking:
Which planet is closest to the Sun?
Which is the largest planet?
Which planets have rings?
Why is Earth the only planet known to support life?

Does this activity support the primary science curriculum?

Yes. This activity is particularly useful for children studying Earth and space in Year 5 science in England and P6 science in Scotland. 9 and 10 year olds till be taught about the solar system according the the National Curriculum for this year group.

The national curriculum includes learning about the movement of the Earth and other planets relative to the Sun and describing the Sun, Earth and Moon as approximately spherical bodies.

Making a solar system model gives children a memorable, hands-on way to practise identifying the planets and their order.

What is the order of the planets?

Starting with the planet closest to the Sun, the eight planets are:

Mercury → Venus → Earth → Mars → Jupiter → Saturn → Uranus → Neptune

Here’s a challenge for your young scientist: can they invent their own silly sentence to help remember the planets.

More space activities for kids

Did your young scientist enjoy making their solar system?

This activity comes from the Whizz Pop Bang Snip-Out Science Book, which is packed with paper-based science activities for curious kids.

You can also explore more free space activities, experiments and fascinating astronomy articles on the Whizz Pop Bang blog.

Discover Whizz Pop Bang magazine

Whizz Pop Bang is the award-winning science magazine for curious children aged 6–12.

Every month, young scientists can try hands-on experiments, discover fascinating facts, meet real scientists and explore everything from dinosaurs and space to the human body, animals and engineering.

Packed with screen-free activities, puzzles and competitions, Whizz Pop Bang makes science exciting and fun.

Subscribe to Whizz Pop Bang and give your child a new science adventure every month!

Find loads more science activities, puzzles and games in our award-winning monthly kids science magazine, Whizz Pop Bang!


Did your mini-scientist enjoy this activity? This is just one of the many fun paper craft activities from the Whizz Pop Bang Snip-Out Science Book. Click the image below to discover how much more fun your budding scientist can have with this book!

Fill your child with science wonder with a subscription to Whizz Pop Bang, the award-winning magazine for 6 to 12-year-olds. Watch their face light up with glee when their very own magazine zooms through the letterbox! Packed full of hands-on science awesomeness, it’s the gift that keeps of delighting, month after month.


Post Comment

FREE science activity – make a stunt plane!

Whizz Pop Bang is the awesomely amazing (and award-winning!) science magazine for kids aged between 6 – 12. We want to inspire the scientists of the future with our monthly magazine! We know that sometimes you just want a bit more science to get your teeth into, so here’s a FREE activity that your scientists-in-training will love to cut, fold and launch!

Our experiments are designed for children aged 6 to 12, but this one is especially appropriate for year 5, P6 (Scotland), and children aged 9 and 10, as it relates to the subject of the forces that will be covered in this school year’s National Curriculum.

Find loads more science activities, puzzles and games in our award-winning monthly kids science magazine, Whizz Pop Bang!


Did your mini-scientist enjoy this activity? This is just one of the many fun paper craft activities from the Whizz Pop Bang Snip-Out Science Book. Click the image below to discover how much more fun your budding scientist can have with this book!

Fill your child with science wonder with a subscription to Whizz Pop Bang, the award-winning magazine for 6 to 12-year-olds. Watch their face light up with glee when their very own magazine zooms through the letterbox! Packed full of hands-on science awesomeness, it’s the gift that keeps of delighting, month after month.


Post Comment

Interview with Tim Peake – download this FREE reading comprehension

We want to inspire the future generation of scientists with our monthly magazine! That’s why, every month we interview inspirational scientists about their jobs so children across the globe can learn about fascinating areas of science and what it takes to do these jobs.

We interviewed astronaut Tim Peake and wanted to share it here for free so that everyone can be inspired by Tim’s story. This pack also includes a reading comprehension question and answer sheet for schools and home educators to teach kids.

Interview with astronaut Tim Peake reading comprehension

This interview delves into what it is really like to travel in space. Tim Peake describes what it feels like to take off in a rocket and to feel weightless, as well as his scariest moments. A must-read for your aspiring astronauts. 

This downloadable reading pack includes: 
– An interview with Tim Peake for you to print or for your child to read on a tablet.
–  Reading comprehension question sheet and answer sheet.

Our teaching resources are designed for children from 6 to 12, but this reading comprehension is particularly perfect for year 5, P6 (Scotland) and 9-year-olds and 10-year-olds as it ties in with the National Curriculum topic about earth and space they will be taught this during this school year.

Did your mini-scientist enjoy learning about Tim Peake? Why not discover our other space themed issues of Whizz Pop Bang in our shop here! Or click on one of the magazines below for some of our favourite space issues!

Fill your child with science wonder with a subscription to Whizz Pop Bang, the award-winning magazine for 6 to 12-year-olds. Watch their face light up with glee when their very own magazine zooms through the letterbox! Packed full of hands-on science awesomeness, it’s the gift that keeps of delighting, month after month.


Post Comment

How to spot the Taurid meteor shower 2022

The Taurid meteor shower has begun and is due to peak in the UK in the very early hours of Sunday 13th November 2022. Although the Taurids aren’t known for an impressive, dramatic display they do provide a regular sprinkle of meteors throughout October and November so lots of opportunities to spot a shooting star! 💫

When the Earth moves through debris left from passing comets, those particles burn up from the friction with the air when they pass into our atmosphere and create beautiful shooting stars. In the case of the Taurids, the debris is left by the Comet Encke.

Follow these tips from the Royal Observatory in Greenwich for the best chance of meteor-spotting.

For full information about the Lyrids meteor shower, head to this article on the Royal Museums Greenwich website.

☄️Find a dark site with an unobstructed view of the sky.
☄️The best time to see the shower is in the early morning of the peak day, which this year is the morning of the 13th November (the night of the 12th November).
☄️Fill your view with the sky and wait! Lying on the ground is a great way to see as much as possible.
☄️The Taurids are not particularly dramatic but they are wide spread so keep your eyes peeled.
☄️Blanket optional but highly recommended. Reclining deckchairs make an even more comfortable way to view the sky.
☄️Remember to wrap up warm!

Image: Canva


Post Comment

COMPETITION CLOSED: WIN a GEOMAG Magnetic Construction Set!

We’ve got four epic construction sets to give away from Geomag!

Use the strength and energy of the Geomag magnets and spheres to build crazy spinning tops and suspended models that will spin for ages. Put your building and spinning skills to the test with this Geomag E-Motion Magnetic Construction Set! Plus, they are made from recycled plastic!

For your chance to win, simply answer this question in the comments:

What type of vehicle is the Gossamer Albatross?

a) Bicycle
b) Boat
c) Plane

This competition closes at midnight on 31st August 2022. For full terms and conditions visit whizzpopbang.com/terms


Post Comment

COMPETITION CLOSED: WIN Build Your Own marble run!

We’ve teamed up with Build Your Own to offer 6 lucky winners the chance to win a super cool Eco Marble Run.

This eco-friendly, STEM-inspired Marble Run is assembled using slot together techniques – no glue, no mess, no fuss. Everything you need is provided in the kit – follow the detailed instructions: press out the pre-cut parts, build and watch them go!

Wind the handle to raise the 10 swirly glass marbles up the elevator; then watch as they speed down one of the three different neon coloured tracks. Enjoy endless fun as the marbles twist, turn, drop down the steps, and then whizz round the vortex cone before racing to the finish! Which marble will win?

Budding engineers will enjoy the challenge of the construction. And once built, the Marble Run stands at an impressive 50 cm tall, and has 3 different neon courses with run switches to randomise the marble directions.

Building the Marble Run will encourage children to use their imagination and problem-solving skills. Plus, they’ll learn about physics and kinetic energy as they play.

Build Your Own are the creators of an exciting range of award-winning, STEM-inspired children’s toys that you can build yourself. The Build Your Own range is suitable for ages 8 to 100!

Marbles were a popular toy in the Victorian era, to be in for a chance to win one of 6 Marble Run Build kits simply answer this question in the comments:

What years did the Victorian Era span?

A 1837 – 1901

B 1850 – 1950

C 1890 – 1991

This competition closes at midnight on 30th May 2022. For full terms and conditions visit whizzpopbang.com/terms-and-conditions


Post Comment

How to spot the Lyrid meteor shower 2022

The best time to spot the Lyrid meteor in the UK in 2022 is on the night of 22nd – 23rd April. The Lyrids begin on the 14th April this year which is 2 days before a full moon so the sky will still be pretty bright at the peak of the shower which will make spotting meteors a bit tricky – but don’t be deterred! Follow these tips from the Royal Observatory in Greenwich for the best chance of meteor-spotting.

For full information about the Lyrids meteor shower, head to this article on the Royal Museums Greenwich website.

☄️Find a dark site with an unobstructed view of the sky.
☄️The best time to see the shower is in the early morning of the peak day, which this year is the morning of the 23rd April (the night of the 22nd April).
☄️Fill your view with the sky and wait! Lying on the ground is a great way to see as much as possible.
☄️Look towards the Vega constellation – here’s a handy map showing how to find it at this time of year thanks to Astronomy Now.
☄️Blanket optional but highly recommended. Reclining deckchairs make an even more comfortable way to view the sky.
☄️Remember to wrap up warm!

Image: Canva

Whizz Pop Bang is a top-quality, gender-neutral, advert-free science magazine for families everywhere. Each issue is packed with experiments, activities, amazing facts, puzzles, jokes, riddles and more. Find out more here and flick through a space-themed issue here!


Post Comment