As a mom, I’m always on the lookout for activities that are not only fun but also educational for my kids. We have enjoyed doing our Moon Observation Journal and was ecstatic when I stumbled upon the idea of creating moon craters as a science experiment, we were all excited to dive in. Here’s how our little lunar adventure went!

Preparing Our Mini Moon

The first step was to create our very own mini-moon. We mixed 4 cups of flour with 1/2 cup of baby oil to make what’s known as “moon dough.” The kids loved getting their hands dirty as they helped press the mixture into a round cake pan, forming a smooth surface that resembled the moon’s.

Crater Creation

With our moon ready, it was time for the main event—creating craters! We gathered small pebbles and rocks from our backyard, and the kids took turns dropping them onto the moon surface from different heights. Each impact resulted in a unique crater, and the kids’ faces lit up with every ‘plop.’

Learning Through Play

As we created more and more craters, we talked about how the real moon has been hit by space rocks for billions of years, which is why it’s covered in craters. We also discussed why Earth doesn’t have as many craters, thanks to our atmosphere that protects us by burning up most meteorites.

Observations and Discoveries

The kids noticed that the size and depth of the craters varied depending on the size of the pebble and the height from which it was dropped. This led to a great discussion about force and impact, and I could see the gears turning in their little heads as they made connections to what they’ve learned in school.

Wrapping Up

After we finished our experiment, we spent some time drawing pictures of our moon and labeling the different craters we made. It was a wonderful way to combine art with science, and the kids had a blast.

This simple experiment was a hit, and it’s one we’ll definitely be revisiting. Not only did it provide a hands-on learning experience about the moon and space, but it also sparked curiosity and imagination in my kids. And as a mom, that’s all I could ever ask for.

Creating moon craters with my kids was an unforgettable experience that combined learning with quality family time. If you’re looking for a fun and educational activity to do with your little ones, I highly recommend giving this experiment a try!

In case you missed it, be sure to check out our Moon Observation journal here for all the fascinating details and insights from our lunar explorations.

We can’t wait to hear about your lunar adventures! Share your moon crater experiments in the comments below and let’s continue the conversation. Don’t forget to spread the stellar excitement by sharing your findings with fellow space enthusiasts!

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Moon Craters Experiment

Objective: Understand why the moon has craters and how they are formed.

Materials:

• 4 cups of flour
• 1/2 cup of baby oil
• Small pebbles or rocks
• Round cake pan

Instructions:

1. Mix the flour and baby oil to create “moon dough.”
2. Press the mixture into the round cake pan to form a smooth surface.
3. Have the children drop pebbles from different heights onto the “moon” surface.
4. Observe the craters formed by the pebbles.

Discussion Points:

• Discuss how the moon’s surface is hit by space rocks, creating craters.
• Explain that Earth’s atmosphere burns up most meteorites, which is why we don’t have as many craters.
• Talk about the size and depth of craters based on the size of the pebble and the height from which it’s dropped.