Moon & Stars Lessons for Kindergarten

As kindergartners, children are developing a number of important education skills as well as a fervent sense of curiosity. When it's time to explain the mystery behind those twinkly night stars, enact interactive lessons that children will enjoy. Kindergartners should gravitate toward learning about the moon and stars with exciting games and colorful craft activities.

Starry Skies

Pass out sheets of construction paper that feature bold outlines of stars. Let the children cut out multiple stars and decorate the cutouts using markers, crayons and glitter. Punch a hole in the top and bottom of each star and thread ribbon through the holes. Create lines of two or three stars. Hang each set of stars from the classroom ceiling. Turn off the overhead lights and point a single lamp at the ceiling. Instruct the children to sit under the starry "night" sky while you explain the facts about real stars and constellations.

Edible Moon Phases

Describe the concept of moon phases. Without going into too much detail, explain that the moon's rotation around the earth creates phases, which give the appearance of a full moon, crescent moon and other familiar shapes. Illustrate the lesson with a large diagram on the chalkboard. After the lesson, let the children create edible moon phases using cookies or crackers. Choose varieties that are sandwiched together with icing, peanut butter or another cream. Demonstrate how to twist the top layer off and nibble the food to create the shape of a particular phase of the moon.

Surface of the Moon

Let students create their own moons using small foam balls and tan clay. Explain that the moon's surface is rocky and full of craters, and this is why there often appears to be a "man in the moon." Give each child a small foam ball. (You can purchase this inexpensive craft material at most hobby stores.) Instruct them to mold the clay around the ball, pressing firmly to make it stick. They can create "craters" by pressing their fingers into the surface or form mountains with extra clay.

Handmade Sun

Teach students basic facts about the sun, the star which is the center of our solar system. Let them create their own craft suns with paper plates, paper and yellow paint. Give each child one small-sized paper plate and a piece of construction paper. Tell them to glue the plates, upside down, onto the paper. Working with one child at a time, let each dip one hand into a dish of yellow paint. Demonstrate how they can create the sun's "rays" by placing several handprints around the plate.