These activities make it easy to participate safely in International Observe the Moon Night from wherever you are. They are suitable for a variety of age groups and adaptable for use with whatever materials you have available. Feel free to adjust the activities to better meet the needs of your participants or audience.
For even more ideas, explore highlighted collections from our supporters.
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Spend the next month getting to know the Moon. Set aside some time each day to look at the Moon, and record your observations in the log provided here.
Time: One month
Recommended age: All ages
Group size: Any
Suggested materials: Printed or digital copy of Moon Observation Journal, writing utensil or editing app
Related resources: NASA's Daily Moon Guide, Moon in Motion: Phases, Moon Phase and Libration, STEMonstrations: Moon Phases
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Make Moon-related art (in any medium). Share your lunar artwork in the International Observe the Moon Night Flickr group and on social media using #ObserveTheMoon.
Time: Varies
Recommended age: All ages
Group size: Any
Suggested materials: Any
Related resources: “Moon As Art” Collection, Get Inspired with Moon-Themed Interactives
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Through a series of graphic novels and digital platforms, First Woman aims to capture our attention and unite the next generation of explorers who will return to the Moon. Issue #1 follows the trailblazing path of fictional astronaut Callie Rodriguez as the first woman on the Moon. Issue #2 tells the story of Callie and her teammates' challenging mission to deploy a next-generation space telescope that could expand humanity’s understanding of the universe.
Note: These graphic novels are also available in Spanish.
Time: Varies
Recommended age: 5+ years old
Group size: Individual
Suggested materials: Computer, tablet, smartphone, or other device with internet access
Related resources: Artemis Camp Experience, First Woman Camp Experience Volume Two, The Adventures of Commander Moonikin Campos and Friends, We Go as the Artemis Generation, Learn How to Draw Artemis
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NASA is going to the Moon! Throughout their journey, NASA astronauts and spacecraft must communicate with mission control on Earth. NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation (SCaN) program operates the Deep Space Network and Near Space Network to ensure explorers can always call home. Using the downloadable pages, illustrate the adventures of NASA’s Artemis astronauts by creating a comic.
Note: This activity is also available in Spanish.
Time: 30-60 minutes
Recommended age: 10+ years old
Group size: Individual
Suggested materials*: Printout of the comic activity, writing utensil, colored pencils/markers/crayons (optional)
Related resources: First Woman Graphic Novels and Interactive Experiences, Learn How to Draw Artemis, Artemis I: The Documentary
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Model ancient lunar impacts using water balloons.
Time: 10–30 minutes
Recommended age: 8–13 years old
Group size: Up to 10 children working in teams of 2–3
Suggested materials: Outdoor area (such as a concrete patio or parking lot), water, 5 balloons, 5 rulers or tape measures, a towel, colored pencils/crayons/markers
Related resources: Impact Craters, New Craters on the Moon, Tour of the Moon in 4K
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Discover how high you could jump on the Moon and other worlds in the solar system.
Time: 10–30 minutes
Recommended age: 3 years old and up
Group size: Any
Suggested materials: Colored markers, measuring tape, chart paper, blue masking tape
Related resources: John Young's Lunar Salute on Apollo 16, Train Like An Astronaut
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Calling all citizen scientists! NASA needs your help to find new craters and other changes on the Moon. Join MoonDiff to help scientists learn about the dynamic lunar surface.
Time: As long as you'd like!
Recommended age: 16+ years old
Group size: Individual
Materials: Laptop or desktop computer with internet access
Related resources: Impact Craters, Dynamic Moon, Moonscapes
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Find lunar "seas" of cooled lava, and share your Moon observing excitement, in this two-part challenge from the Astronomical League. Note: You do not need to be a member of the Astronomical League to participate.
Time: As long as you'd like!
Recommended age: 16+ years old
Group size: Individual
Materials: Varies
Related resources: Moon Map, NASA’s Daily Moon Guide, Sketch the Moon Together!
School groups and other educators may wish to incorporate or build on these activities in International-Observe-the-Moon-Night-inspired programming. This is an opportunity to get the whole school involved.
Everyone: We welcome your creative interpretation, adaptation, and implementation!
Looking for more? Try these activity and resource collections:
NASA Science Activation: Lunar Resource Toolkit
NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Mission Education Resources
NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera Educational Activities & Lessons
Explore! with the Lunar and Planetary Institute
Night Sky Network Outreach Resources
Learning Space with NASA at Home
