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Coding the Moon

Coding or connecting the phases of the moon is a great way for children to learn them. After all, coding is simply connecting the steps need to complete a task. This moon phases activity will walk your children through moon phases in order.

Help your child learn coding and the phases of the moon at the same time with this simple STEM activity for space themed learning

We have included affiliate links to some of the products and resources as an associate we may earn from qualifying purchases.

Before you start this moon phases activity, you may want to read your children a book like Many Moons: Learn about the different phases of the moon by Remi Courgeon or Gail Gibbons’ Moon Book. It will help your children remember the moon phases in order.

We have included affiliate links in this activity to the products we used and resources we recommend.

You can purchase either of these books using our Amazon Affiliate Links or from your local book shop – Many Moons: Learn about the different phases of the moon by Remi Courgeon and  The Moon Book by Gal Gibbons

More Space themed books for kids and you to read together

Materials for Exploring Moon Phases in Order

Printer

White paper

Pencil

Exploring Moon Phases in Order

Help your child learn coding and the phases of the moon at the same time with this simple STEM activity for space themed learning

The first thing you will need to do is print out a copy of the Moon Phases in Order Coding Activity. While you can print it out in black and white, the shading in some of the phases will stand out more when it is printed out in color. You can get your copy of the Moon Phases sheet by clicking the link below

Coding the Moon Activity Sheet

Children will need to start by drawing arrows in the boxes that will lead them from the word start to the new moon.  That will mean drawing an arrow pointing upwards in both the boxes between them.

Next, they will need to decide if they need to draw arrows pointing up, down, left or right in the boxes that lead from the new moon to the crescent moon.

Children will continue the process of connecting one moon phases to another until they get to the full moon. There is often more than one way that one moon phase can be connected to the next.  I try to encourage children to take the shortest path available. They are also encouraged to use each box only once.


What to read next – DIY Moon Phase Lights to Make and Learn


Help your child learn coding and the phases of the moon at the same time with this simple STEM activity for space themed learning

Hint One: My students sometimes need to point their fingers or arms in various directions to decide which direction they think they will need to go.

Hint Two: It helps children to walk the path they plan to take between the stages with their fingers before drawing the arrows. Some children don’t like having to erase the arrows they have created.

Make your own Moon with our DIY Puffy Paint Moon

These are products that I have found useful when teaching about the phases of the moon within a classroom but would work just as well using them in the home for afterschooling or homeschooling.


This Earth Moon Model Kit was one of the best investments I made in teaching about how the moon phases work. I have used it with Elementary Age through to Secondary Age and because it’s compact it never took up a lot of space in my classroom.

The moon is fascinating not just because of how it changes but also because of the features or it. A telescope is a great tool to use with kids – on a clear winters night you can see the moon quite easily straight after school in the UK or at home let the kids stay up late and view the moon on a summers evening.

You can’t help it but when you start studying the moon the constellations and the night sky draw you in. Learning about them as well as the different myths and stories behind their names and features is great and although you can learn through a book something like this Space Theatre Planetarium is great as it gives you the opportunity to learn as well.

More Coding and STEM Activities for Kids

Help your child learn coding and the phases of the moon at the same time with this simple STEM activity for space themed learning
Help your child learn coding and the phases of the moon at the same time with this simple STEM activity for space themed learning
Author
Deirdre from JDaniel 4's Mom

Deirdre is the founder and author of JDaniel 4’s Mom. A teacher from South Carolina. She has 1 son JDaniel 4th. He is ten years old.

A specialist in Technology Integration as well as Early Elementary teaching she can be found sharing hands-on learning over on her blog.

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