Moon Phases Worksheets: Fun Space Activities for Kids

Most children are often curious about the moon, stars, and anything space-related. As one of the most recognizable objects in the night sky, teaching your kids about the moon and its phases can be exciting, especially with these Moon Phases Worksheets.

>> See more space activities for kids

Regardless of your kids’ age and grade, we’ll look at different ways you can teach about this amazing subject. I also have a cool worksheet pack for you.

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Making a Moon Phases Unit Study

Anytime you find yourself studying a particular concept or subject, chances are you’re sitting on a unit study gold mine. When it comes to learning about the moon and its phases, you can create a unit study out of this world (literally).

Using the ideas below, you can piece together a week (or longer) full of learning opportunities and experiences.

From printables and projects to books and videos, you can find numerous resources to help your children learn about the moon. Before planning your unit study, be sure to consider how long you want to do it.

Then pull together the resources you want to use. After that, you’re all set to get started teaching and learning!

Why Kids Need To Study the Moon Phases

Understanding how the moon changes helps kids connect what they see at night with what they learn in science. It also builds confidence as they begin recognizing patterns.

Pattern awareness: Tracking the moon over weeks helps kids notice predictable changes.
Observation skills: Noting shape, brightness, and position encourages careful watching.
Early science knowledge: Learning the names and order of the phases supports future astronomy lessons.

Recommended Moon Books

I keep a small collection of moon-themed books on hand because they help kids visualize concepts more clearly.

The Moon Seems to Change (Let’s-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2)If You Had Your Birthday Party on the Moon The Moon!: A My Incredible World Picture Book for Children (My Incredible World: Nature and Animal Picture Books for Children)Moon’s First Friends: A Heartwarming Story About the Moon Landing (A Social Emotional Friendship Book for Kids About Science and Space)Luna asks about the moon: “In the light of the moon dwell countless stories…”The Moon: Discover the Mysteries of Earth’s Closest Neighbor (Space Explorers)

How do I teach the Moon’s phases?

This is a question that most homeschooling moms ask themselves, and rightfully so. One of the easiest ways to introduce the moon phases is visually. While you may not be able to catch every single phase of the moon in the night’s sky, you can teach them through printables, flashcards, and pictures.

From an informational perspective, consider teaching them by sharing scientific information and facts.

There are many phases to the moon, but the top eight most commonly taught are:

New Moon: The moon looks completely dark because the sunlit side faces away from Earth.
Waxing Crescent: A small curved sliver of light appears on one side of the moon.
First Quarter: Half of the moon is bright and half is dark, like a split circle.
Waxing Gibbous: Most of the moon is lit up, with only a small dark part left.
Full Moon: The whole face of the moon is bright and easy to see.
Waning Gibbous: The bright part starts shrinking, leaving a small dark edge.
Third Quarter: Half of the moon shows again, but on the opposite side from before.
Waning Crescent: Only a tiny curved piece of light remains before the cycle starts again.

Phases of the Moon Facts for Kids

Providing moon facts is another great way to teach about the moon and its phases. Here are some of the most interesting ones:

Man’s first visit to the Moon happened on July 20, 1969.
The moon is the reason that we have tides on Earth.
It is considered a terrestrial body like Venus, Earth, and Mars.
The moon is the 5th largest moon in the solar system.
It’s less than 1/3 of the width of the Earth.
The moon’s location is always next to Earth.
It has 3 layers that consist of a core, a mantle, and a crust.
The name of the moon’s atmosphere is called the exosphere.

For more interesting moon facts, visit Moon Information and Facts on the National Geographic website!

Skills Kids Learn from These Moon Activity Pages

These printables support early learners in a gentle, structured way. I’ve used similar worksheets with my older kids when they were young, and they helped make abstract ideas feel more concrete.

Sequencing: Kids see how each phase leads to the next. They get to put the steps in order while understanding why the moon looks different.
Drawing practice: Sketching each phase strengthens fine motor coordination. It also encourages kids to pay attention to shape and shading.
Vocabulary growth: New terms like waxing and waning become easier to remember. Kids connect visual examples with written words.

Recommended Space Printable Packs

If your kids want to explore more topics, I also suggest checking out two of my space-themed printable packs. They expand learning with a mix of worksheets and hands-on pages.

Other Resources to Teach about the Moon

One of the most significant benefits of homeschooling is the ability to use a variety of resources, and when it comes to learning about the moon, there isn’t a shortage! Below are a few videos and books I highly recommend looking into when teaching your kids about the moon.

Consider bookmarking the videos below. It’s like you’re creating an easy-to-access playlist:

Recommended Space Board Games

A few themed board games can help kids picture what happens beyond Earth. They also encourage strategic thinking while keeping the space theme engaging.

Qurious Space | STEM Flash Card Game | Explore, Match, Quiz & Spin Through The Universe. Perfect for Astronomy Fans and Future Astronauts Late for the Sky Space-opoly Space Base Skillmatics Educational Game: Space Explorers (6-9 Years) | Erasable and Reusable Activity Mats with 2 Dry Erase Markers | Learning Tools for Boys and Girls 6, 7, 8, 9 Years Spaceteam: A Fast-paced, Cooperative, Shouting Card Game Indie Boards and Cards Terraforming Mars Board Game, Multicolor (6005SG)

What’s included in the phases of the moon printable?

This printable includes eight pages designed for kids in kindergarten through grade 3. Each page focuses on a specific skill or activity.

The Moon Phases Chart

This page shows each phase of the moon with labeled illustrations. It gives kids a reference to look at while they complete the other activities.

Draw the Moon Phases

Kids use blank circles to sketch each phase. It helps them understand how the moon appears from one stage to the next.

My Moon Tracker

This calendar-style page lets kids record the moon they see each night. Observing the sky regularly brings science into their daily routine.

Shoot for the Moon Coloring Page

A simple coloring sheet gives kids a creative break. It pairs well with a discussion about telescopes and nighttime observation.

Moon Phases Match-Up

Kids cut out cards showing different phases and match them to the correct labels. It’s a quick way to test memory and recognition.

To the Moon & Back Coloring Page

This fun scene adds a bit of imagination to the lesson. It’s also great for younger siblings who want to stay involved.

Help the Astronaut Find the Moon Maze

Kids follow a path through a space-themed maze to reach the moon. It supports problem-solving while staying aligned with the theme of the moon.

How to Extend the Activity

There are several easy ways to continue the learning once kids finish the worksheets. These extensions work well if your child enjoys themed lessons.

Moon Phases Coloring Pages: These pages offer extra practice in recognizing the phases. Kids can compare their earlier work with new coloring sheets.
Phases of the Moon Activities: This set includes additional hands-on ideas. It helps reinforce what they learned through repetition in different formats.
Outdoor observation: Kids can check the sky several evenings in a row. This builds real-life connections and curiosity.
Moon-themed crafts: Simple art projects help kids remember the phases through texture and creativity.

More Space Activities To Try

There are plenty of additional space-themed lessons you can explore next.

Printable Planet Book
Phases of the Moon Activities
Planets Flipbook
Space Worksheets for Kids
Space-Inspired Play Dough Recipe
Printable Constellation Lacing Cards
Outer Space Color By Number by 3 Boys and a Dog
Printable Space Tracing Worksheets by Simple Everyday Mom
Space Playdough Mats by Fun-a-Day

Teaching your children about the moon offers numerous educational benefits, especially if you have budding astronomers in your care. Use the tips and resources in this post to help you create a moon phase unit study to remember.

Download the moon phases printable below

Don’t forget to download my free moon phases worksheet pack. It will give you lots of activities for your kids to do that are both fun and educational.

Moon Phases Worksheets