Moon Phases For Kids

Explore how the moon’s shape or moon phases change over the month. Learn about the different moon phases with this simple moon phases project. Pair it with our free printable activity pack for a fantastic earth science and space lesson for kids.

Moon Phases Project

Let’s get right to learning about the different phases of the moon and what causes us to see only part of the moon! This fun moon phases activity lets kids get creative and learn some simple astronomy.

💡While you’re at it, make sure to check out these other fun space activities.

Supplies:

Small white paper plate
Blue and green felt
Thin black felt
White paper
1” circle punch
Ruler
Sharpie
Scissors

💡 Note: This moon phase project can be done with paint, construction paper, or cardstock! Get creative and use the materials you have available. This makes a great STEAM project for cross-curricular planning.

How To Make The Phases Of The Moon

STEP 1: Draw and cut a 3” circle out from each of your blue and green felt.

STEP 2: Glue the green circle to the center of the plate. Cut out the water from your blue circle and glue to the blue circle to make the earth.

STEP 3: Use the circle punch to punch out 8 black pieces of felt and glue them around the earth.

punch out the white circles for the moon phases

STEP 4: Use the punch to punch 8 white circles and cut them according to the moon phases. Glue the white cut circles on top of the black circles and let dry.

glue the white circles onto the black circles

STEP 5: Use your Sharpie to write the name of each moon phase (see below) next to its corresponding shape.

What Are The Moon Phases for Kids?

To start, the phases of the Moon are the different ways the Moon looks from Earth over the course of about a month!

As the moon orbits around the Earth, the half that faces the sun will be lit up. The different shapes of this lit-up portion of the moon that can be seen from the Earth are known as the moon’s phases.

Each phase repeats itself every 29.5 days. There are 8 phases that the moon goes through.

The Moon Phases (in order)…

NEW MOON: A new moon cannot be seen because we are looking at the unlit half of the Moon.

WAXING CRESCENT: This is when the Moon looks like a crescent and gets bigger in size from one day to the next.

FIRST QUARTER: Half of the lit portion of the Moon is visible.

WAXING GIBBOUS: This occurs when more than half of the lit portion of the Moon can be seen. It gets bigger in size day by day.

FULL MOON: The entire lit portion of the moon can be seen!

WANING GIBBOUS: This occurs when more than half of the lit portion of the Moon can be seen but it gets smaller in size day by day.

LAST QUARTER: Half of the lit portion of the Moon is visible.

WANING CRESCENT: This is when the Moon looks like a crescent and gets smaller in size from one day to the next.

Click here to get your printable Moon Phases Activities!

Phases Of The Moon Craft Tips

You can even draw circles and use markers to color in the Earth and the different phases of the moon. Get as creative or as simple as you like!

If you can use food, why not try this with a favorite chocolate and cream cookie sandwich? Oreo moon phases are popular activities or bake your own cupcakes and top them with moon phases! Learn how to make moon phases with oreos.

More Fun Space Activities For Kids

Pair this moon phases project with one or more hands-on space activities for kids. Here are more fun ways to learn about our solar system…

Printable Space Projects Pack

With 250+ pages of printable, hands-on, space-themed fun, you can easily explore classic space themes with your kiddos, including moon phases, constellations, the solar system, and the 1969 Apollo 11 lunar landing with Neil Armstrong.

⭐️ Activities include supply lists, instructions, and step-by-step pictures. It also Includes FULL Space Camp Week. ⭐️