Have you ever noticed how the moon looks different every night? Sometimes it’s just a tiny sliver of light, and other times it’s a big, bright full moon. These changes are called the moon’s phases, and they happen over a month. The lit-up part of the moon grows until it’s a full moon, then it shrinks back to darkness.
Want a fun way to remember all eight phases of the moon? You can make a puzzle game! Here’s what you’ll need:
With these materials, you can create a puzzle that shows the moon’s phases. Let’s get started!
First, cut out four light circles and four dark circles from your paper. These will represent the different phases of the moon.
Here’s how to make each phase:
Now that you’ve made all the moon phases, it’s time to play! Mix up the pieces and try to put them back in order, starting with the new moon. You’re an expert now!
If you make this puzzle, we’d love to see it! Ask a grownup to send us an email at [email protected]. And if you have any questions, leave a comment below. See you next time!
Moon Phase Observation Journal: Start a moon journal! Each night, look at the moon and draw what you see. Is it a crescent, a half-moon, or a full moon? Write down the date and your observations. After a month, look back at your drawings to see how the moon changed. Can you spot the pattern?
Moon Phase Snack Time: Use cookies to create the moon phases! Take a round cookie and some frosting. Use the frosting to cover parts of the cookie to show the different phases. For example, cover half the cookie for a quarter moon. Share your cookie creations with family or friends and explain each phase as you eat them!
Moon Phase Dance: Pretend to be the moon! Gather your friends or family and stand in a circle. One person can be the Earth in the middle. As the “moon,” move around the Earth and change your shape with your arms to show the different phases. Can you show a crescent moon with your arms? How about a full moon?
