STREAM Activity: Moon Phases & Moon Journal

Blast off into Space Month with an out of this world moon phase activity!

Activity best for children age 2 and up

In this activity, we are looking at one of the most remarkable patterns in nature – moon phases! If you’re child has ever asked you about why the moon changes shape every single night, this is a simple activity that shows the patterns of the moon. Astronomers are keen observers using telescopes, cameras, and even just their eyes to see the stars, moon, planets, and sometimes the milky way! Because the moon is always changing in a constant pattern, tracking the phases of the moon is a great way to explain observations and make predictions while connecting with nature. Here, we make a simple moon pattern and begin a month-long journal about the moon phases.

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Materials you’ll need:

Black paper

White crayon

Glue

Scissors

String

Moon journal

Pencil

Guiding Questions:

What patterns can we observe in nature?

Directions

Step 1

Use your white crayon to draw 7 circles. Color in 1 circle completely, 2 half circles, 2 waning circles, and 2 waxing circles (and a blank circle if you’d like to add a new moon!).

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Step 2

Cut out your moons and glue them in the pattern below.

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Step 3

Hang your moon phases to observe the patterns!

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Step 4

Print our Moon Journal and follow the instructions to make moon phase observations all month.

Grown Ups-Are you looking for more ways to extend your child’s learning? Check out these extension activities to build upon today’s STREAM activity!

Reading Connections:

The Usborne Book of the Moon by Laura Cowan.

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Science Connections:

Talk to your child about waxing and waning. The waning phase is after the moon been full and it’s slowly becoming a new moon. The waxing phase is after the new moon and is slowly becoming a full moon.

Real-World Connections:

The Moon Journal is an easy and fun way to be an astronomer and study the moon phases! Simply print out and follow the directions on our Moon Journal.

If you’d like to know more about the moon phases happening in real time in your area, you can find many resources online that track the daily moon. One such resource is https://www.timeanddate.com/moon/phases/.