Learn how to make your own moon craters for a fun sensory play experiment! Whether you’re studying space or just looking for an engaging outdoor activity, making moon craters is perfect (and for all ages!) This activity combines: sensory play, math, science, and more for an invitation to learn and explore. The quick video below gives an overview with full materials and instructions below!
Due to the inherit messiness, this activity is best to setup outside. If you’re in a warm climate, you might choose to use flour or sand for your ‘lunar surface’. In cold weather, snow would be a fun alternative! Keep a few hand towels and a garden hose nearby, and you’re good to go!
Below is the list of materials you will need to complete the experiment, although you could make substitutions or additions as you see fit.
+ baking tray
+ substrate (baking flour, sand, snow, etc)
+ assorted balls (try using various sizes and weights of balls)
+ fabric measuring tape
+ stopwatch (optional)
+ chair (optional)
Let The Fun Begin
- Bring all of your materials outside. You will start by measuring the circumference of each ball with the fabric measuring tape. You may want to ask your children to sort the balls from smallest to largest, or estimate the size of each ball before you measure. Record your measurements on the left hand column of your Moon Craters Log.
- Pour/scoop the substrate onto your baking tray. You want a generous amount, as heavier balls will depress the substrate down, and you want the best possible ball imprint or ‘crater’.
- Drop your first ball! You might want to ask your child to estimate what size ‘crater’ the ball will create. Also, standing on a chair gives children an extra height boost which produces better craters. If using a stopwatch, you could time the drop of each ball to compare the height/speed/size ratio after the lesson.
- Using your ruler, measure the diameter of the crater formed. Record your measurements on the right hand column of your Moon Craters Log.
- Repeat steps 3-4 for the remaining balls.
Compare your results and discuss. Did the largest ball make the largest crater? Does the weight of the ball affect the size of the crater? Read a bit about the moon and discuss how lunar craters are formed.
I hope you have fun with this activity! Don’t forget to download your Moon Craters Log for FREE! Let me know if you try it or if you have any questions in the comments below. Happy playing and learning!
Jifunze jinsi ya kutengeneza maporomoko yako mwenyewe ya mwezi kwa ajili ya jaribio la kuchezea la hisia! Kama wewe ni kujifunza nafasi au tu kuangalia kwa ajili ya shughuli ya nje ya kuvutia, kufanya mwezi craters ni kamilifu (na kwa umri wote!) Shughuli hii inachanganya: mchezo wa hisi, hesabu, sayansi, na zaidi kwa mwaliko wa kujifunza na kuchunguza. Video fupi hapa chini inatoa muhtasari na vifaa kamili na maelekezo hapa chini! Kwa sababu ya uharibifu wa urithi, shughuli hii ni bora kuanzisha nje. Kama wewe ni katika hali ya hewa ya joto, unaweza kuchagua kutumia unga au mchanga kwa ajili ya "mwezi uso" yako. Katika hali ya hewa baridi, theluji ingekuwa mbadala wenye kufurahisha! Weka taulo chache za mikono na mfereji wa bustani karibu, na uko tayari kwenda! Chini ni orodha ya vifaa unahitaji kukamilisha majaribio, ingawa unaweza kufanya uingizwaji au nyongeza kama unaona inafaa. + baking tray + substrate (kuoka unga, mchanga, theluji, nk) + mipira mbalimbali (jaribu kutumia ukubwa mbalimbali na uzito wa mipira) + kitambaa kipimo mkanda + stopwatch (optional) + kiti (optional) Hebu Fun kuanza - Kuleta vifaa yako yote nje. Ukianza, kipimo cha mduara wa kila mpira kwa kutumia mkanda wa kupima kitambaa. Unaweza kuwauliza watoto wako wachague mipira kutoka ndogo hadi kubwa, au wapime ukubwa wa kila mpira kabla ya kupima. Rekodi vipimo vyako kwenye safu ya kushoto ya Jarida lako la Moon Craters. - Mimina au chukua substrate kwenye sahani yako ya kuoka. Unataka kiasi kiburi, kama mipira nzito zaidi itashusha substrate chini, na unataka alama bora ya mpira au <unk> crater <unk>. - Tupa mpira wako wa kwanza! Huenda ukataka mtoto wako akadiria ukubwa wa "mlipuko" utakaotokezwa na mpira huo. Pia, kusimama juu ya kiti huwapa watoto mwinuko wa ziada ambao hutokeza maporomoko bora. Kwa kutumia saa ya kusimamisha, unaweza kukadiria wakati kila mpira unaposhuka ili kulinganisha uwiano wa urefu, mwendo, na ukubwa baada ya somo. - Tumia kipima-mwisho chako, upime kipenyo cha kreta iliyofanyizwa. Andika vipimo vyako kwenye safu ya kulia ya Jarida lako la Moon Craters. Kurudia hatua ya 3 na 4 kwa mipira iliyobaki. Linganisha matokeo yako na uzungumze. Je, mpira mkubwa zaidi ulifanya kreta kubwa zaidi? Je, uzito wa mpira huo huathiri ukubwa wa kreta hiyo? Soma kidogo kuhusu mwezi na uzungumze jinsi milipuko ya mwezi inavyofanyizwa. Natumaini utafurahia shughuli hii! Usisahau kupakua Moon Craters Log yako kwa bure! Napenda kujua kama wewe kujaribu au kama una maswali yoyote katika maoni hapa chini. Furaha ya kucheza na kujifunza!