How To Make An Easy (And Fun) Moon Model

The study of space has always fascinated my children. My oldest son is obsessed with all things space. Having the time and freedom to explore studies of interest with my boys is what I love about homeschooling.

We’ve explored many aspects of astronomy in the previous years.  This month we are studying about the moon.  And each year we are blown away by God’s workmanship.

First, we started the lesson out with a KWL chart. We wrote down all the things we know about the moon in the know (K) section. And then we wrote the questions we had about the moon in the W section.

How To Make An Easy (And Fun) Moon Model

Next, we read a few books about the moon (scroll down to see our selections).   Then, of course, the boys wanted to create a moon model. I wanted a project that was easy and had minimal cleanup.

HOW TO MAKE AN EASY MOON MODEL

MATERIALS:

  • Styrofoam ball (we used 4”)
  • White paint
  • Grey paint
  • Paintbrushes
  • Foam paintbrush
  • Water

DIRECTIONS:

1) Using the round ends of the paintbrush, make dents or craters in the Styrofoam ball. Make craters of all sizes (this is the bit kids love the best!).

2) Paint the Styrofoam ball white

3) Once it’s dry, paint the ball grey

4) Dip foam brush in water and dab over the grey paint to get a darker effect in certain areas.

5) Wait for the paint to dry and your moon model is ready.

The styrofoam made an excellent model of the moon with its pattern and texture. It was also very budget friendly and easy for the kids.

While we waited for our moon to dry, we wrote down what we learned on our KWL chart.

HERE ARE SOME THINGS WE LEARNED:

  • The moon is Earth’s satellite
  • The moon takes 29.5 days to complete a full cycle.
  • A full lunar cycle consists of eight phases
  • The moon orbits near the equator of the Earth
  • The moon is illuminated because it reflects the light from the sun.
Make a moon model activity_Growing Curious minds

BOOKS WE READ:

  • If You Were the Moon by Laura Salas 

A delightful book filled with figurative language and science content.

  • The Way Back Home by Oliver Jeffers

A book about a boy who decides to take his plane out for a ride and gets stuck on the moon.

  • Moonshot by Brian Floca

A great book of facts for budding astronauts and science buffs.

  • National Geographic Little Kids Book on Space

A great introductory book on astronomy. Filled with great visuals and space facts for young minds.

  • Moonday by Adam Rex

Moonday takes a “what if” scenario and is a calming book for bedtime.

  • Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

A simple children’s classic and one of our favorites.

  • Owl Moon by Jane Yolen

A Beautiful story of a girl and her father going owling on a moonlit winter night.

WE USED THE FOLLOWING ITEMS TO COMPLETE THE EASY MOON MODEL:

Paintbrushes
Paint
Styrofoam ball

Scroll to Top