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Free Phases of the Moon Worksheet for Kids

ByClare Brown Updated on

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.

A collage of free printable worksheets for kids titled "Phases of the Moon." The top row shows two worksheets: one with images of moon phases for students to label, and one with a brief explanation of moon phases and a writing prompt. The bottom row includes individual worksheets labeled Full Moon, Waning Gibbous, Third Quarter, Waning Crescent, Waxing Gibbous, First Quarter, Waxing Crescent, and New Moon, each with diagrams and short descriptions for students to read and respond to. Bold, colorful text across the center reads: “FREE PHASES OF THE MOON WORKSHEET.”

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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.

A printed worksheet titled "Phases of the Moon" placed on a blue background with illustrations of astronauts. The worksheet explains that the moon reflects sunlight, rotates on its axis, and appears in different phases due to its position relative to the Earth and sun. It includes a writing prompt asking, "What do you want to find out about the phases of the moon?" with blank lines for student responses. A black pen rests diagonally across a moon phase illustration in the bottom right corner.

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

Two educational moon phase worksheets laid on a blue astronaut-themed background. The left worksheet is titled "New Moon" and explains that a new moon is barely visible and occurs when the Earth and moon are aligned with the sun on the opposite side. It includes lines for students to answer the question, "What are the effects of the new moon on tides on Earth?" The right worksheet is titled "Waxing Crescent" and describes this phase as the time when the moon starts becoming visible again after a new moon, with a prompt for students to research and draw the positions of the sun, Earth, and moon

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.

Two printable moon phase worksheets on a background with astronaut illustrations. The left worksheet is titled "First Quarter" and explains that this phase occurs when the moon reaches one-quarter of its orbit, appearing as a half-moon. It includes space for students to research and draw the positions of the sun, Earth, and moon. The right worksheet, "Waxing Gibbous," describes the moon as being more than a semicircle but not yet full, with a similar prompt for drawing celestial positions.

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
Two educational moon phase worksheets laid on a dark blue background with astronaut graphics. The left worksheet is titled "Full Moon" and explains that the full moon is visible when the moon is on the opposite side of the Earth from the sun. It prompts students to explore the cultural significance of the full moon. The right worksheet is labeled "Waning Gibbous" and describes this phase as occurring after the full moon, when the visible portion of the moon begins to decrease, but more than half is still visible. Students are asked to research and draw the positions of the sun, Earth, and moon.

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

Two moon phase worksheets on a dark blue background decorated with astronaut illustrations. The left worksheet, titled "Third Quarter," describes this moon phase as the opposite view of the First Quarter moon, appearing as half a moon. It prompts students to draw the positions of the sun, Earth, and moon. The right worksheet, "Waning Crescent," explains that this phase shows less than half of the moon still visible, and also includes a research and drawing activity.

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.
A moon phases worksheet placed on a dark blue background with astronaut illustrations, next to a colorful book titled Life Cycles: Everything from start to finish featuring a dinosaur, sunflower, and various animals. The worksheet displays eight moon phase diagrams in three rows, each with a blank box underneath for labeling phases such as new moon, full moon, and crescents.

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:

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!)

A young person peers through the eyepiece of a large silver telescope set up indoors near a window. The telescope is mounted on a black tripod stand, and there's a smartphone holder attached for capturing images. Outside the window, trees and part of a house are visible, suggesting a daytime observation or setup.

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Last Updated on 9 April 2025 by Clare Brown

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