As parents, we want to explore different learning opportunities with our children. Learning about science and the wonders of the universe, like the moon, is an exciting way to engage your child's curiosity and imagination. In this blog post, we will share a fun-filled moon phases wheel printable that you can do with your children. This activity is perfect for kids ages 3 and above, and it's available in English, French & Chinese. Let's get started!
My three-year-old son always shouts with excitement when he spots the moon in the sky. He becomes even more curious when he notices the moon changing its shape over time. These moments usually happen during car rides, and it occurred to me that I could create a printable for him and place it in the car. This way, he can use it as a reference whenever he sees the moon. And, yes, he absolutely loves it and never fails to pull it out whenever the moon graces the night sky!
Download: Free Moon Phases Wheel Printable
What are the 8 Phases of the Moon?
The moon has always fascinated humans, and it has been a subject of study for centuries. The different phases of the moon occur due to the changing position of the moon, Earth, and the sun.
The moon goes through eight distinct phases during its cycle:
- 新月 (New Moon): This is the initial phase where the moon is aligned between the earth and the sun, and we don't see the moon from the earth as the side that is lit by the sun is facing away.
- 娥眉月 (Waxing Crescent): After the new moon, the moon starts to move away from the sun, and we can see a thin crescent of moonlight.
- 上弦月 (First Quarter): The moon is 90 degrees away from the sun in the sky and is half illuminated.
- 盈凸月 (Waxing Gibbous): The moon continues its journey around the earth, and more than half of the moon is illuminated, but it is not yet a full moon.
- 滿月 (Full Moon): The earth is between the sun and the moon, and the moon is fully illuminated.
- 盈缺月 (Waning Gibbous): After a full moon, the moon starts to move into the shadow of the earth, and less than half of the moon is illuminated.
- 下弦月 (Third Quarter): The moon is again 90 degrees away from the sun in the sky and is half illuminated, but the illumination is decreasing.
- 殘月 (Waning Crescent): The moon continues to move away from the sun until it becomes a thin crescent, and finally the cycle starts anew with a new moon.
While this might seem like complex learning, it can be simplified and made fun of with the moon phase wheel activity.
Moon Phase Wheel Activity Printable
Age recommendation: 3+ years old
Available in: English, French, Chinese (Traditional, Simplified, Zhuyin, Pinyin).
This moon phase wheel resource comes in a PDF with two printable sheets.
The first sheet is a wheel with all the moon phases arranged in order. Each phase is labeled so your child can easily learn them. The phases are positioned on a wheel so your child can see them as they happen. Your child can spin the wheel and watch as it moves from one phase to another.
The second sheet is super important for the activity. It's the backing paper, and it has moon names in different languages. With this sheet, your child can make a cool visual guide for their moon phase wheel. This wheel can also help your child remember the different moon phases and their names.
How to Prepare Moon Phase Printable?
Materials:
Step 1 – Download
To start, you will have to download the moon phases printable.
Step 2 – Store
Once you have downloaded the file, back up the file in a secure location (i.e., External hard drive, cloud storage, etc.)
Step 4 – Open
Open the files with Adobe PDF Reader. You can download it for free.
Step 5 – Print
After you open the file via Adobe PDF Reader, you can print the file by clicking on the “Printer” icon. Select all pages. Verify that it will print in portrait mode and choose fit from the page sizing & handling session.
If there are printing issues via Adobe PDF Reader, then please do the following:
- Open the document.
- Click on File >> Print.
- Click on Advanced.
- Select Print as Image.
- Press OK and then Print.
For best results, I recommend a heavyweight matte paper or card stock.
Step 6 – Cut
Cut out the disc on the second page.
Step 7 – Stick together with a Split Pin.
Stick the two discs together in the middle with a split pin. Make sure the smaller disc is at the front.
Tip: You can use a push pin to poke a hole before using the split pin.
Step 8 – play and learn.
Enjoy the activity and learn about the moon phases with your children.
More Moon Phases Resources:
If you want more printables related to moon phases, check out the below links:
- Montessori Moon Phase 3-Part Cards and Moon Journal – Chalk Academy
- My Chinese Character Minibook 月 Moon – Lingo Buddies
- Unit Study: Moon 月球 – Guavarama
- 10 Best Phases of the Moon Worksheets (Free) – Homeschool of 1
- Phases Of The Moon Printable Worksheets – Just Family Fun
Related Mid-Autumn Posts
Want more? Here are more amazing Mid-Autumn Festival we found from other bloggers you can check out:
- Mid-Autumn Festival Activities – Mama Baby Mandarin
- Mid-Autumn Lantern Recycled Craft + Free Printable – Spot of Sunshine
- The Mid Autumn Festival The Folktale, A Story About the Moon and An Interview – Miss Panda Chinese
- Ridiculously Easy Art and Craft Ideas for the Mid-Autumn Festival – Mandarin Homeschool
- Our English and Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival resources 2021 – Ms Claudia
- Mid-Autumn Festival – Fortune Cookie Mom
Last Thing About Moon Phases Printable
In conclusion, the Moon Phase Wheel activity is a fun and engaging way to teach your child about the moon and its different phases. It's easy to follow, and it's available in English, French, and Chinese, making it a perfect educational opportunity for children aged 4 years and above. With the activity, you can have fun, spend quality time with your child, and foster their fascination with science and the wonders of the universe. Download to start the fun learning!
Download: Free Moon Phases Wheel Printable
