Make learning the phases of the moon fun and interactive with this Moon Phases Fold-Out Book Printable! Kids can color, cut, and assemble their very own fold-out book while exploring how the moon changes shape during the month. Perfect addition to astronomy lesson plans!
Moon Phases Fold-Out Book
This simple space science and art activity helps young learners visualize the lunar cycle in a hands-on way — perfect for home, classroom, or homeschool science lessons.
- Field of Science: Astronomy, Earth & Space Science
- Grade Level: Grades K–3
- Concepts Explored: Phases of the moon. Observation and patterns. Earth, Moon, and Sun relationship.
Supplies Needed
- Free Moon Phases Fold-Out Book Printable (get it below)
- Scissors
- Glue stick or tape
- Crayons, markers, or colored pencils
How to Make the Moon Phases Fold-Out Book
Step 1: Print the moon phases fold-out pages. Choose between color or black-and-white versions for coloring fun.
Step 2: Have kids color each moon phase and background scene.
Step 3: Cut along the dotted lines and fold each section accordion-style.
Step 4: Glue or tape the sections together to create a single long fold-out strip.
Step 5: Label each moon phase as you go: New Moon, Waxing Crescent, First Quarter, Waxing Gibbous, Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Last Quarter, Waning Crescent.
💡 Tip: Encourage kids to start with the “New Moon” on one end and work through the cycle to visualize how the moon grows and shrinks in appearance.
The Science Behind the Moon Phases
The moon doesn’t actually change shape — it only appears to. What we see from Earth depends on how sunlight hits the moon as it orbits around our planet. When the moon is between Earth and the sun, we can’t see the lit side — that’s called a New Moon. As it moves, we see more of the lit side until it becomes a Full Moon, and then the light begins to shrink again (known as waning).
💡 This repeating pattern of eight phases happens over about 29.5 days, known as the lunar month.
Simple Vocabulary
- Lunar: Related to the moon.
- Orbit: The path an object takes around another object.
- Waxing: The moon appears to grow.
- Waning: The moon appears to shrink.
- Illumination: The amount of light reflected from the moon.
NGSS Guiding Questions
| NGSS Question | Concept Focus |
|---|---|
| What causes the moon to appear to change shape? | The moon’s phases are caused by its orbit around Earth and how sunlight reflects off its surface. |
| What patterns can we observe in the night sky? | Students can identify repeating cycles, such as the lunar phases each month. |
| How does the Earth, moon, and sun work together to create these changes? | How do the Earth, the Moon, and the Sun work together to create these changes? |
Free Printable Moon Phases Fold-Out Book
Grab your free printable moon phases fold-out book activity here!
Moon Activities for Kids
Our moon and space activities feature even more fun, free printable activities!
- Oreo Moon Phases: Recreate each phase using Oreo cookies and frosting.
- Moon Phases + Tracker Journal: Observe and sketch the moon each night for one month.
- Moon Art Project: Make fizzy paint to create a textured moon craft.
🔎 Check out our complete Astronomy for Kids collection here.
Printable Science Packs for Kids
Visit our SHOP for easy-to-print STEM and science lesson plans for the whole year. Or join us in the Little Bins Club.
