Understanding Moon Phases: A Fun Guide for Kids

Have you ever wondered why the Moon looks different every night? Sometimes it's a big bright circle, and other times it's just a thin sliver. Let's discover why the Moon changes shape and learn to recognise each phase!

Why Does the Moon Change Shape?

Here's the important thing to know: the Moon doesn't actually change shape! It's always a round ball, just like Earth. What changes is how much of the Moon's lit-up side we can see from Earth.

The Moon doesn't make its own light - it reflects light from the Sun. As the Moon travels around Earth (which takes about 29 days), we see different amounts of its sunlit side.

The Eight Moon Phases

1. New Moon

The Moon is between Earth and the Sun, so the lit side faces away from us. We can't see the Moon at all during this phase.

2. Waxing Crescent

A small sliver of light appears on the right side. "Waxing" means growing bigger.

3. First Quarter

Half the Moon is lit up on the right side. It's called "quarter" because the Moon has completed one quarter of its journey around Earth.

4. Waxing Gibbous

More than half the Moon is lit up, still growing. "Gibbous" means more than half.

5. Full Moon

The whole face of the Moon is lit up! Earth is between the Moon and Sun.

6. Waning Gibbous

Still more than half lit, but now shrinking. "Waning" means getting smaller.

7. Last Quarter

Half the Moon is lit up on the left side.

8. Waning Crescent

A small sliver on the left side, almost back to new moon.

Fun Activities to Learn Moon Phases

Oreo Moon Phases

Use Oreo cookies to create the different phases! Carefully scrape off parts of the cream filling to show each phase. This delicious activity helps you remember the shapes.

Moon Journal

Every night for a month, draw what the Moon looks like. Watch how it changes from new moon all the way around and back again!

Torch and Ball Demonstration

In a dark room, use a torch (the Sun) and a ball (the Moon) to show how phases work. Walk the ball around your head while keeping the torch still.

Fun Moon Facts

• The Moon is about 384,400 kilometres from Earth
• It takes 27.3 days for the Moon to orbit Earth
• We always see the same side of the Moon from Earth
• The Moon has no weather - footprints left by astronauts are still there!

Conclusion

Understanding moon phases is one of the first steps in becoming an astronomer. Now that you know why the Moon changes shape, you can impress your friends and family with your space knowledge. Keep looking up!