Full Moon Fun

If you are looking for a way to keep the kiddos entertained on a cold winter day, try out these full moon-themed activities to chase the doldrums away. For best results, introduce your theme early in the week to allow time for multiple activities (and a big build-up to the full moon rising event).

MOON Craft: Explain that the moon goes through different stages each month. Sometimes we can hardly see it, other times, it’s round and bright. Give each child a black sheet of paper that’s been divided into 4 squares like Tic Tac Toe. Pass out moon shapes while naming each of the primary shapes: new, first quarter, full, and last quarter. Help the child glue or tape the shapes to the paper. Take your Moon Field Guide with you outdoors to see what stage the moon is in throughout the month.

MOON Stories: Read a different moon-themed children’s book at bedtime. A few of our favorites are:

·       Owl Moon by Jane Yolen

·       Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

·       Thirteen Moons on Turtle’s Back: A Native American Year of Moons by Joseph Bruchac and Jonathan London

FULL MOON Adventure: January’s full moon is nicknamed the Wolf Moon (that should impress the elementary and preschool set)! Check online to see what time it rises in your location, then head outdoors to an open spot where your view won’t be hidden by buildings or trees. Encourage the moon to rise by practicing your best wolf howls. (It’s OK to be silly – kids love silly!) Turn off all electronics and flashlights and let your eyes get used to the dark. Sip hot chocolate and tell wolf stories while you wait. Bring along your Moon Field Guide and compare the full moon on the chart to the full moon in the sky.

When you get home, challenge the kids to guess the name and date of the February full moon. You just might be surprised that you’ve started a new family tradition!