Moon Phases Learning Toy

A fun and interactive way to learn about phases of the moon, there is little wonder why this is our most popular DIY learning toy! As the cup turns, the child will see the moon change throughout the lunar phase. Watch the video in this FB post to see it in action. Here’s how to make one!

Materials:

2 large clear plastic cups
Black permanent marker pen
1-inch diameter yellow circle
A piece of black construction paper
Basic stationery like glue, tape and ruler

Directions to make this Moon Phases Learning Toy:

1) Measure the height of the plastic cup. Cut a rectangular piece of black construction paper with the height of the plastic cup as the length of the paper.

2) Paste the yellow circle on the black construction paper.

3) Roll the black paper up with the yellow circle facing out. Making sure that the yellow circle is not covered by the black paper. Insert the roll of black paper into one of the plastic cup. Then secure the black paper onto the cup.

4) Put this plastic cup with the black paper and yellow circle INTO the second plastic cup. NOTE: We will be drawing on the second plastic cup that’s outside in the following steps.

5) Start by locating the yellow circle and write the name full moon under the yellow circle.

TIP: To make sure we have enough space for all 8 phases of the moon, I drew the full moon, new moon and the two half moons (or first quarter moon and last quarter moon) first. Then I filled in the gibbous moons and crescent moons in the remaining spaces.

6) Imagine the cups like a clock, with the full moon as the 12’o clock position, turn the cup so that the yellow circle is now in the 3’o clock position. Trace the outline of the left half of the yellow circle and fill in with the black marker. The left half of the yellow circle will be covered and the right half will appear as a half moon or first quarter moon. Write the name below.

7) Now turn the cup so that the yellow circle is in the 6’o clock position. Using the black permanent marker pen, trace the outline of the yellow circle and fill in completely with the black marker. The yellow circle will be covered and will look like the new moon. Write the name new moon below.

8) Turn the cup so that the yellow circle is now in the 9’o clock position. Trace the outline of the right half of the yellow circle and fill in with the black marker. The right half of the yellow circle will be covered and the left half will appear as a half moon or last quarter moon. Write the name below.

9) Turn the cup so that the yellow circle is now in the 1.30 clock position. Trace a crescent on the left of the yellow circle and fill in with the black marker. The right uncovered part of the yellow circle will appear as the (waxing) gibbous moon. Write the name below.

10) Turn the cup so that the yellow circle is now in the 4.30 clock position. Trace a gibbous (less than the full circle, but larger than the semicircle shape) on the left of the yellow circle and fill in with the black marker. The right uncovered part of the yellow circle will appear as the (waxing) crescent moon. Write the name below.

11) Turn the cup so that the yellow circle is now in the 7.30 clock position. Trace a gibbous (less than the full circle, but larger than the semicircle shape) on the right of the yellow circle and fill in with the black marker. The left uncovered part of the yellow circle will appear as the (waning) crescent moon. Write the name below.

12) Turn the cup so that the yellow circle is now in the 10.30 clock position. Trace a crescent on the right of the yellow circle and fill in with the black marker. The left uncovered part of the yellow circle will appear as the (waning) gibbous moon. Write the name below. The learning toy is completed! Now to play and learn with it!

NOTE: I used this toy as a teaching tool for my then 4yo son to teach him about shapes of the moon during the lunar phase. Hence the use of the names half moons and not including the terms ‘waxing’ and ‘waning’. For teaching older children, you may like to use the full terms first quarter moon/ last quarter moon and include the terms ‘waxing‘ and ‘waning’. Older kids might be able to make this learning toy themselves too!