50 years ago, Neil Armstorng took the first steps on the moon. Let’s celebrate with some fun moon themed activities you can explore at home!
Make Craters
What are those interesting looking dimples on the moon’s surface? Craters! You can explore how craters are formed with an experiment. Place a powder (such as flour or corn starch) in a shallow dish. Have your child stand over the dish and drop objects (such as a marshmallow, ball, or block) into the powder. Experiment with a variety of sizes, shapes, or drop heights. Ask your child to predict how each crater will look.
Why can we see so many craters on the moon’s surface? The moon has no atmosphere, and thus no erosion. It also has not experienced tectonics or volcanism for billions of years. Without these processes, nothing on the surface changes.
Munch Moon Phases
Using cream filled cookies (such as Oreos), open the cookie carefully so the cream remains on side. Then scrape away part of the cream to create the various shapes of the moon phases.
Design a Lunar Module
Astronauts use a smaller spacecraft called a lunar module to move from lunar orbit to the surface of the moon. Using items you have on hand, design your own lunar module. What will it need to land gently on the surface – for example, will you add springing legs or a parachute?
