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April 28, 2014 by Jenae - 16 Comments
This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy.

Simple Science Experiment for Kids: Why are there craters on the moon?

Help young children discover why there are craters on the moon with this simple science experiment--great for science fairs



 

Big Brother had his first science fair this past week! He is still very interested in learning about outer space, so he chose (with a little direction) to do his science fair project answering the question, “Why are there craters on the moon?”

 

We created this poster detailing a simplified version of the scientific process.

IMG_7261

 

We even made a “puffy moon” using shaving cream and glue!

IMG_7262

 

 

Finally, we completed a simple experiment to illustrate the impact of a crater. This post was inspired by this idea from Fumbling through Parenthood. Instead of using the “moon sand”, I found that “cloud dough” held the shape of the “meteors” much more effectively.

Here is what you’ll need for this demonstration:  

4 cups of flour
1/2 cup of baby oil
small pebbles or rocks
Round cake pan

 

IMG_7260

(Don’t mind the specks of black in our “moon dough”. I attempted to color it using black liquid watercolor. Obviously, it didn’t work.)  :)

 

IMG_7254

Have your child(ren) drop the pebbles onto the pan.

 

IMG_7258

Observe the “craters” left by the pebbles.

 

We also talked about how the moon is more susceptible to craters from space rocks than Earth. Earth’s atmosphere will burn most meteorites and asteroids before they come in contact with Earth’s surface. The moon, however, does not have an atmosphere to protect it!

 

the moon

The Moon by Seymour Simon

 

 

 

What is your favorite science fair experiment???

 

 

 

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. JDaniel4's Mom says

    May 1, 2014 at 5:18 am

    This is the perfect way to wrap a child’s brain around this concept.

    Reply
  2. Leann Pines says

    July 18, 2014 at 2:38 pm

    This is a great activity! Although terminology-wise, a meteoroid is a rock in space, a meteor is a rock entering the atmosphere, and a meteorite is a rock found on Earth’s surface.

    Reply
    • Eden says

      November 30, 2014 at 6:02 am

      Thanks!

      Reply
  3. Deceptively Educational says

    November 21, 2014 at 4:32 pm

    I’m posting a round-up of moon-related activities on my blog this Monday (11/24). I’d like to get your permission to include the photo with your link. Thanks!

    Reply
  4. Megan Passey says

    January 27, 2016 at 2:28 pm

    Do you know if other types of oil could be used? I don’t have any baby oil on hand and would rather not go out to buy some if it can be helped.

    Reply
    • Jenae says

      January 27, 2016 at 3:42 pm

      You could try using melted coconut oil or even vegetable oil. I’m not sure the results would be identical but probably close enough! :) Let us know if you try it.

      Reply
      • Magda says

        February 17, 2018 at 1:32 am

        It does not explain what the Oil is for? could you please tell me? do I mix it with the the flour and then put it in the cake pan? or do I drop, drops into the flour like the pebbles?

        Thank you

        Reply
  5. Jasmin says

    February 4, 2016 at 6:54 pm

    Did you put this in the oven at all?? Mine doesn’t look like the picture you posted =(

    Reply
    • Jenae says

      February 4, 2016 at 9:48 pm

      No, but in the post you will see that I tried to add food coloring to it and it didn’t work…which is why it was speckled. :) If you want to dye it you will have to use an oil-based food dye.

      Reply
  6. Scott says

    February 7, 2016 at 8:17 am

    Hey Jenae,

    What did you use for the white writing on the black tri-fold? Paint pen? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Jenae says

      February 8, 2016 at 12:29 pm

      Yes, just a white paint pen. :)

      Reply
  7. Morgan says

    February 11, 2016 at 10:42 am

    How did you get the moon to stick to the board?

    Reply
    • Jenae says

      July 18, 2019 at 2:30 pm

      I mixed shaving cream and glue together to make a “puffy” moon. :)

      Reply
  8. Yo mamma says

    February 11, 2016 at 3:35 pm

    She probably used glue. T-T

    Reply
  9. Yo mamma says

    February 11, 2016 at 3:38 pm

    It is maybe cut through the cardboard and glued.

    Reply
  10. Mike Smithwick says

    September 11, 2017 at 12:29 pm

    I teach a bunch of 5th graders astronomy lessons once a month and this is what I do on the second or third lesson. To make it a little more interesting I sprinkle some powdered chocolate over the flour so the larger impactors will make rays like Tycho. Plus this is just the fun and messy lessons anyone has got to enjoy

    Reply

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