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    Home » DIY Learning Toys

    Published: Jun 12, 2018 · Modified: Sep 10, 2023 by Fynn · All activities should be supervised by an adult. This post may contain affiliate links.

    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. Here’s how to make one!

    Phases of the Moon Learning Toy
    Jump to:
    • Materials
    • Directions to make this Moon Phases Learning Toy
    • Adapting the Moon Phases Learning Toy for Older Kids
    • More DIY Learning Toys
    Teaching Moon phases to kids

    Materials

    * This list contains affiliate links. Please see our disclaimer for details.

    • 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.

    How to make Moon Phases learning toy

    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.

    learning first quarter moon

    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.

    Learning crescent moon

    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!

    Bonus: Join my mailing list and download this free guide: 9 Simple Ways to Spark a Love of Learning in your Children. Get this guide now>>

    Adapting the Moon Phases Learning Toy for Older Kids

    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!

    Moon phases for kids

    More DIY Learning Toys

    Interested in more DIY learning toys that you can make at home for your child? Check out these fun activities that encourage lots of hands-on learning about the world around them!

    • Explore Parts of a Flower with a DIY Learning Toy
    • Learn about Parts of a Volcano with this cardboard puzzle
    • Teach your child about Dental Health with this Happy and Sad Tooth Printable Activity
    • Make an easy Fish Sewing Board to practise fine motor skills

    Don't forget to pin this Phases of the Moon idea for later!

    Phases of the Moon Learning Toy

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    About Fynn

    Fynn is a Math and Science teacher from Singapore, author of The Happy Learning Book for Siblings and founder of Happy Tot Shelf. She helps parents enjoy home learning with their children through her highly popular kids' activity membership, The Happy Learners' Club. Fynn has been featured in various newspapers, websites and on radio shows as an expert in early childhood learning and creative hands-on learning ideas.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. building toys for preschoolers                 says

      June 28, 2018 at 10:55 pm

      Awesome post ! child are playing and enjoy for toys .its rally love.

      Reply
      • happytotshelf says

        June 29, 2018 at 1:31 am

        Thank you for your kind words!

        Reply
    2. Carol L. Matthews says

      August 29, 2019 at 8:51 am

      Normally, I don't use kids' toys in my high school marine science classroom, but this is a very clever and easily model that I think would be very helpful when teaching the effect of moon phases on tides. I have a mechanical solar system that I use as a demo, but students in the back of the room often can't see it very well. I would probably make several of these ahead of time and keep as a classroom set. Great idea!

      Reply
      • happytotshelf says

        August 29, 2019 at 11:24 pm

        I'm so glad to hear that this will be useful for your classroom!

        Reply
    3. Tanya says

      July 11, 2020 at 7:16 am

      This is absolutely wonderful! Great job and thank you so much for sharing!

      Reply
    4. Jody L Hodges says

      January 12, 2021 at 6:30 pm

      Shouldn't we move the moon in a counter-clockwise position since that is the direction it revolves around the Earth?

      Reply
    5. Aditsya Arvind says

      January 19, 2022 at 2:59 am

      I like the toy.

      Reply
    6. Phases Moon says

      May 12, 2022 at 9:42 am

      Good and simple idea!

      Reply

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    Hi there! I’m Fynn—educator, author, and mom of three. I believe a lifelong love of learning starts at home, and I’m here to help you nurture that spark. Together, let’s create joyful learning experiences that strengthen bonds and inspire curiosity for both you and your little ones!

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