A delicious edible phases of the moon kids project is just what they need to learn about the fascinating science of lunar changes. Also, look at my page Exploring Space and Astronomy Free Unit Study for Multiple Ages for more ideas.
The moon has fascinated humans for thousands of years. Ancient sailors used it to guide their travels, farmers watched it to know when to plant crops, and children gazed up in wonder at its glowing light.
Studying the moon is one of the most enjoyable parts of space science because it’s something we can observe right from our own backyards.
With a little creativity, and a few Oreo cookie, you can turn this topic into a fun, hands-on learning experience your kids will remember.
What I liked about this project is that, unlike most, it can be adapted for older children, not just preschoolers by simply challenging your child to add more detail and expand on the basics.
I found a wonderful assortment of other hands-on edible science ideas to include for you as well covering a wide range of topics.
If you want a fabulous all-purpose resource grab a copy of Nature Anatomy, where we got our phases of the moon inspiration from. It works wonderfully for a large variety of topics.
BOOKS ABOUT THE MOON FOR KIDS
12 Resources and Books For Studying About the Moon and Galileo
If you want to focus on the moon in your astronomy and space unit study, add one of these fun resources to your day.
Like Michelangelo, Galileo is another Renaissance great known just by his first name--a name that is synonymous with scientific achievement. Born in Pisa, Italy, in the sixteenth century, Galileo contributed to the era's great rebirth of knowledge. He invented a telescope to observe the heavens. From there, not even the sky was the limit!
This newly revised edition, available in time for the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, incorporates new, up-to-date information based on recent discoveries, and includes an updated map of the moon's surface. Thoroughly vetted by an astrophysics expert, The Moon Book is a perfect introduction to lunar phases, orbit, the history of space exploration, and more.
Sixteenth century Italy produced a genius who marked the world with his studies and hypotheses about mathematical, physical and astronomical truths. His father, musician Vincenzio Galilei said, “Truth is not found behind a man’s reputation. Truth appears only when the answers to questions are searched out by a free mind. This is not the easy path in life but it is the most rewarding.” Galileo challenged divine law and the physics of Aristotle, and questioned everything in search of truths. And it was through this quest for truth that he was able to establish a structure for modern science.
It’s the perfect light nonfiction book for young stargazers—and an ideal bedtime book, ending with a giant moon hovering over a sleepy town hunkered down for bed.
Novelty Moon Lighting: Realistic Colorful Star Galaxy printed 🌌 Moon Lamp with advanced 3D technology. Now decorate your bedroom, hall, office or desk with our Space Theme gorgeous Galaxy Lamp. Your guests will definitely admire the beauty of this lively moon light.
Quality Optics: 400mm(f/5.7) focal length and 70mm aperture, fully coated optics glass lens with high transmission coatings creates stunning images and protect your eyes. Perfect telescope for astronomers to explore stars and moon.
Everything about Jupiter is big! Its size is big. Even its storms are big! Get the big and small facts about this gas giant that can be seen glowing in the night sky.
Astronomer, physicist, and philosopher Galileo Galilei was referred to as "The Father of Modern Science," because of his groundbreaking research. Making observations about nature, and using mathematics to back them up, he proved the Copernican Theory true: the Sun, not the Earth, is the center of the universe. Join Galileo on his pioneering journey to see why his work had such long-lasting implications, and why the Catholic Church even condemned him for heresy.
Imagine that you're walking on the moon. What is it like? For thousands of years people looked up at the moon and wondered about it. Now we know what the moon is like. There is no air on the moon and nothing grows, but there are towering mountains and deep craters—and much more.
Colder than the desert, the hotter than the desert, the moon is an amazing place to explore.
What would it be like if the moon was your friend? Find out as you walk alongside a little boy who journeys through life to achieve his dream of becoming an astronaut. And then blast off with your little one as you zoom to the moon together!
The story begins when a little boy, who is flying his kite, notices a sad Moon. He sends up kites to her, writing notes promising he will come see her someday. This promise propels him through years of studying, learning, and training to become an astronaut. Until … he finally goes up, up, up in a big rocket ship with a fiery tail.
A Kite for Moon:
- Features over 20 gorgeous illustrations by award-winning artist Matt Phelan
- Is the perfect storybook for children ages 4 to 8
- Celebrates every child’s fascination with space
You could also grab these meteorite specimens (artificial) to let your child use for impact craters!
Meet Moon! She's more than just a rock―she’s Earth’s rock, her best friend she can always count on. Moon never turns her back on her friend (literally: she's always facing Earth with the same side!). These two will stick together forever. With characteristic humor and charm, Stacy McAnulty channels the voice of Moon in this next celestial "autobiography" in the Our Universe series. Rich with kid-friendly facts and beautifully brought to life by Stevie Lewis, this is an equally charming and irresistible companion to Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years and Sun! One in a Billion.
Next, look at these facts about phases of the moon.
UNDERSTANDING THE PHASES OF THE MOON
When we look up at the moon sometimes, we see a full bright circle, and other times just a tiny sliver. But the moon itself never actually changes shape, it’s always round. What changes is how much of the sun’s light we can see reflected off it from Earth.
As the moon orbits around our planet, different portions of it are lit up. These changing views are called the phases of the moon.
There are eight main phases in the lunar cycle, and it takes about 29.5 days to go through all of them, this is known as a lunar month.
- New Moon – The moon is between the Earth and the Sun. The side facing us isn’t lit, so it’s invisible in the night sky.
- Waxing Crescent – A small sliver of light appears on the right side. “Waxing” means growing.
- First Quarter – Half the moon is lit on the right side.
- Waxing Gibbous – More than half is lit, leading up to a full moon.
- Full Moon – The entire face of the moon shines brightly.
- Waning Gibbous – The light begins to shrink from the left. “Waning” means decreasing.
- Last Quarter – Again, half the moon is visible, but this time it’s the left half.
- Waning Crescent – Only a thin sliver remains before the cycle begins again with the new moon.
The pattern repeats each month, which is why we can predict when the next full moon will appear.
Next, look at more moon activities.
MORE MOON ACTIVITIES
- Free Moon Journal For Homeschool Science
- Fun Moon Facts For Kids And Free Moon Phases Printable
- Galileo Discovery of Jupiter Moons and Fun Hands-On Moon Crater Experiment
- Geronimo Stilton Theme Mouse in Space Fun Puffy Moon Craft (Glow in the Dark)
- 10 Moon Craft Ideas and Wrapped Crescent Moon Craft For Kids
- 5 Facts About The Moon Landing and Make Fun Astronaut Ice Cream
OREO PHASES OF THE MOON
Now for the fun part, using cookies to bring the lesson to life with a little art mixed in for a science lesson that won’t soon be forgotten.
You will need:
- Butter knife
- Large sheet of black paper
- Chalk markers or paint
- Cup
- 8 oreos
I wanted a nice size surface for our night sky so I used a length of black roll paper, you could also use a sheet of 12×12 cardstock to make sure you have plenty of room for your artwork and cookies.
Place a cup in the center and trace around it to create a circle for the earth.
Use chalk markers or paint pens to color it in and make it resemble the blue and green of earth.
Place cookies around the earth to space them out so you know where your writing will go.
Paint or color in a sun on either side to show where the light comes from that illuminates the moon.
Write the name of each phase of the moon below each cookie with a white pen and then remove the cookie.
Carefully twist each cookie open so the cream stays on one side. Use a butter knife or spoon to scrape away parts of the cream to match each moon phase.
For example, leave all the cream for the full moon, scrape half away for the first quarter, and remove it completely for the new moon.
Place the cookies in order on the black paper to represent the night sky.
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