🌙Moon Phases Cookie Game
Kids create and "eat through" the phases of the moon using Oreo cookies!
How to Play:
- Give each child 8 Oreo cookies
- Show pictures of moon phases (new moon, crescent, half, full)
- Have them scrape the cream to match each phase
- Arrange cookies in order on a paper plate
- Talk about how the moon changes, then eat!
Materials: Oreo cookies, paper plates, plastic knives, moon phase pictures
Learning: Moon phases, observation skills, patterns in nature
⏱️ 20-30 minutes
☀️Solar System Hopscotch
A hopping journey through our solar system!
How to Play:
- Draw or tape a hopscotch path with 8 squares (one per planet)
- Label each square: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune
- Add the Sun at the start as a circle to stand in
- Kids hop from planet to planet saying fun facts
- Can toss a beanbag to random planets and share facts
Materials: Chalk or colored tape, planet pictures/drawings, beanbag (optional)
Learning: Planet names and order, gross motor skills, memory
⏱️ 15-25 minutes
⭐Constellation Flashlight Hunt
Create a magical stargazing adventure indoors!
How to Play:
- Poke constellation patterns into black paper (Big Dipper, Orion, etc.)
- Cover flashlights with the papers using rubber bands
- Darken the room and project "stars" on walls/ceiling
- Kids search for constellations around the room
- Tell stories about each constellation they find
Materials: Flashlights, black construction paper, pushpins or thumbtacks, rubber bands, constellation templates
Learning: Constellation shapes, storytelling, spatial awareness
⏱️ 25-35 minutes
🌍Planet Size Playdough
Roll and compare planets by size!
How to Play:
- Provide different colored playdough for each planet
- Show size comparison chart (use fruit sizes as guide)
- Kids roll balls to match relative sizes
- Line them up from smallest to largest
- Discuss: "Why is Jupiter so BIG? Why is Mercury tiny?"
Materials: Playdough (8 colors), planet size chart, tray or table space
Learning: Size comparison, fine motor skills, planet characteristics
⏱️ 20-30 minutes
🚀Rocket Balloon Race
Launch balloons like rockets and learn about propulsion!
How to Play:
- String fishing line across the room
- Attach straws to balloons with tape
- Thread line through straws
- Blow up balloons, hold closed, then release!
- Watch rockets zoom across the line
- Discuss: "What makes the rocket move?"
Materials: Balloons, drinking straws, tape, fishing line or string, scissors
Learning: Basic physics (action/reaction), air pressure, rocket propulsion
⏱️ 15-25 minutes
🌠Space Freeze Dance
Dance like planets, stars, and astronauts!
How to Play:
- Play space-themed music
- Call out space objects: "Dance like a spinning planet!"
- Kids move accordingly (spin, float, zoom, twinkle)
- When music stops, freeze in space pose
- First to move sits out (or does jumping jacks!)
Materials: Music player, space music, open space to move
Learning: Following directions, creative movement, space vocabulary
⏱️ 10-15 minutes