Moon Crater Space Science
One of our favorite units to study in preschool is space! Children love to learn about planets, stars, and the moon. We have the perfect (easy) science activity to include when you’re learning about space! It teaches children how craters are formed on the moon to give it that bumpy surface. Keep reading for all the details, and be sure to grab the lesson plan and recording sheet in our shop!
You will need:
4 cups of flour
½ cup baby oil
A variety of rocks (small to medium sized)
Bowl
Spoon
Round pie dish or cake pan
Craters on the Moon Recording sheet (find it here)
Instructions:
Download and print the recording sheet.
Measure 4 cups of flour into the bowl.
Add ½ cup baby oil and mix. You can mix with your hands to get things really combined.
Spread the flour mixture into your round dish. Use the bottom of a measuring cup to make a smooth surface.
Show your child pictures of the surface of the moon. Talk about how rocks crash into the surface and make it look bumpy. Those bumps are called craters. Tell them they get to make their own craters today!
Toss or throw the small rocks onto the flour surface to see how it makes a crater. Keep going until the surface of your “moon” looks bumpy, too!
Use the recording sheet to record your observations.
Video
Watch this short video to see more!
Shop
You can get your own copy of the Craters on the Moon observation sheet here.
Be sure to check out these other space posts on the blog:
Helping preschoolers understand emotions is an important part of their development, and we have a fun free download to help! Our Emotion Words Tracing Sheet helps them connect what they see with what they feel.