Free Phases of the Moon Worksheet for Kids

Phases of the moon worksheet activities have always been one of my favorite ways to introduce lunar cycles in our science lessons at home.

These free printable science worksheets helped my son visualize how the moon changes shape night by night, and they’ve become a go-to anytime we explore space topics.

With ten no-prep pages, these worksheets make it easy for kids to label, color, and understand each moon phase—from new moon to waning crescent—without feeling overwhelmed.

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Printable Phases of the Moon Worksheets

This moon phases printable set includes 10 no-prep pages designed to help kids explore the lunar cycle in a hands-on, engaging way.

Whether you’re planning a full unit or just need a quick science activity, these printable moon phases worksheets are a simple addition to your space lessons—just print and go.

Each phase of the moon is covered with a dedicated worksheet, giving students space to observe, label, and color the moon’s changing appearance.

The first page encourages curiosity by asking children what they’d like to learn about the moon, and the final page challenges them to match each phase to the correct image.

Here’s a quick overview of what’s included:

• 8 moon phase activity sheets – one for each phase, from new moon to waning crescent
• Labeling worksheet – students write the names of each phase
• Reflective prompt page – encourages kids to ask questions and think deeper

These solar system printables work well in homeschool science lessons, classroom settings, or independent learning—and all you need are some pens and paper.

What Are the 8 Phases of the Moon in Order?

If your kids are using our phases of the moon printable, it helps to see the moon phases listed clearly in order. These are the eight stages they’ll encounter in the printables:

• New Moon – The moon is barely visible as it sits between the Earth and the sun.
• Waxing Crescent – A thin sliver of light appears on the right side.
• First Quarter – Half the moon is lit on the right; we’re a quarter through the cycle.
• Waxing Gibbous – More than half is visible as we approach the full moon.
• Full Moon – The entire face of the moon is illuminated.
• Waning Gibbous – Light begins to fade from the right side.
• Third Quarter – Half-lit again, but now on the left.
• Waning Crescent – A final sliver remains before returning to new moon.

This cycle repeats about every 29.5 days as the moon orbits Earth.

More Moon-Themed Printables and Learning Ideas

If your kids are enjoying these phases of the moon worksheets, you might want to add in a few extras to keep the learning going:

• Try our phases of the moon word search for a fun vocabulary boost.
• Use the moon phases crossword puzzle to reinforce key concepts after completing the worksheets.
• Explore NASA’s moon learning pages for deeper facts and real-time moon phase trackers.
• If you’re doing this unit in December, don’t miss our phases of the moon Elf on the Shelf printable — it’s a festive way to sneak in some lunar learning during the holidays.
  

Looking for even more space-themed fun? You can also grab our planet matching game and planets to color printables for a broader solar system review.

Recommended Moon Books & Telescope for Kids

If your kids are excited to learn more after using the worksheets, these are a few favorites we’ve loved at home:

• Moon! Earth’s Best Friend – A fun and informative picture book that explains the moon’s role in our solar system with humor and facts.
• I Am the Moon – Perfect for early readers, this one makes lunar science feel personal and approachable.

We also use and love the Celestron StarSense Explorer telescope — my son has spent hours stargazing with it! It’s a bit tricky to set up at first, but totally worth it for those crisp views of the moon’s surface. (If you’re curious, that’s him using it in the photo below!)

Get the Free Moon Worksheets Here!

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Last Updated on 27 March 2025 by Clare Brown