• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Menu
  • Science Experiments For Kids
  • Science Fair Projects
  • Science Facts
  • Science Questions
  • About
    • Emma Vanstone
    • About Science Sparks
Science Experiments for Kids
Menu
  • STEM Challenges
    • STEM Challenges
    • FREE STEM Challenge Templates
  • Early Years Science
    • Preschool Science
    • Sensory and Messy Play
    • Understanding of the World
    • Pirate Science Experiments
  • Primary Science
    • Baking Soda Experiments
    • Candy Experiments
    • Biology
    • Climate Change for Kids
    • Coding for Kids
    • Chemistry
    • Electricity for Kids
    • Magic Science Experiments
    • Harry Potter Experiments
    • Human Body Science
    • Air Pressure Experiments
    • Life Cycles
    • LEGO Science Experiments
    • Kitchen Science
    • Famous Scientists
    • Forces and Motion
    • Science Sparks Snippets
    • Key Stage 1 Science
      • Animals
      • Everyday Materials
      • Plants
      • Coding Activities
      • Humans and Health
      • Fine Motor skills
      • Science and Literacy
    • Key Stage 2 Science
      • Animals, Including Humans
      • Electricity
      • Light
      • Plants
      • Materials and their Properties
  • Holiday Science
    • Christmas Science
    • Halloween Science
    • Easter Science
  • Storybook Themed Science Experiments
  • Wonderful Women in STEM
  • FREE Science Resources
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • FREE Experiments
  • Science for Kids
    • Kitchen Science
    • Climate Change
    • Egg Experiments
    • Fairy Tale Science
    • Edible Science
    • Human Health
    • Chemistry
    • Inspirational Women
    • Forces and Motion
  • Science Fair Projects
  • STEM Challenges
  • Science Sparks Books
  • Contact Science Sparks
  • Science Resources for Home and School

×
Home » Science Experiments for Kids » Space Experiments » Moon Phase Cupcakes

Moon Phase Cupcakes

Modified: Feb 27, 2025 · Published: Jul 22, 2019 by Emma Vanstone · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

From the bright full moon to the tiny sliver of a crescent in the night sky, lunar phases have fascinated humanity for millennia.

This activity unravels the science behind the phases of the moon with some simple moon phase cupcakes. Cupcakes are a wonderfully visual representation of how the shape of the moon changes in the night sky.

Phases of the Moon diagram

Moon Phase Cupcakes

Our cupcakes were very easy to make. We used a basic sponge mixture for the cake part ( you could even buy plain ready-made cakes ), then covered the top with black and white ready-to-roll icing.

What do you think? They are not perfect, so we’re going to give it another go soon!

moon phase cupcakes

The Eight Phases of the Moon

New Moon

This is when the Moon is between the Earth and the Sun. The illuminated side faces away from the Earth, so we don’t see it.

Waxing Crescent

A small sliver of the Moon can be seen.

First Quarter

The Moon looks like a half circle. Half its illuminated side is visible.

Waxing Gibbous

More than half of the Moon can be seen. Gibbous is when more than half, but not a full Moon, can be seen.

Full Moon

The whole of the illuminated side of the Moon faces the Earth.

Waning Gibbous

The illuminated part of the Moon starts to decrease. Waning means the illuminated part is decreasing.

Last Quarter

Half the illuminated side is visible again, but the opposite side from the first quarter.

Another fun way to visually demonstrate the phases of the moon is with Oreos!

Moon Facts for Kids

The surface of the Moon is covered with dust and rocks from asteroid impacts.

Our moon is the 5th largest moon in the solar system.

There is no water, air or life on the moon.

The moon is a satellite of the Earth. A satellite is an object that orbits a planet.

The moon doesn’t produce any light, but reflects the sun’s light.

The moon’s gravitational pull mostly causes the rise and fall of the Earth’s oceans.

The temperature on the moon can reach 120°C in daylight, but drops to -150°C in the dark as it doesn’t have an atmosphere to trap heat.

The moon’s journey around ( orbit ) the Earth takes 27 days, during which time it spins round once.

The first humans to walk on the Moon were Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on July 20th, 1969.

The last Apollo mission to the Moon was Apollo 17 in 1972.

If you stretched the moon’s surface flat, it would just about cover North and South America.

The moon’s surface is full of craters, caused by meteors and asteroids. We have a fun activity to demonstrate craters forming using flour and marbles, that you might like.

If you enjoyed this activity, I’ve got lots more fun space science experiments in this post and a book ( This IS Rocket Science ) with 70 exciting space science experiments for kids.

Cupcakes to illustrate the phases of the Moon

Affiliate links

Last Updated on February 27, 2025 by Emma Vanstone

More Space Experiments

  • Diagram of the Solar System showing the planets in orbit around the Sun
    Distance between planets in the solar system calculator
  • Why does the Moon look white?
  • Easy Air Rocket Launcher STEM Challenge
  • How to Make a Simple Eclipse Model

Safety Notice

Science Sparks ( Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd ) are not liable for the actions of activity of any person who uses the information in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources. Science Sparks assume no liability with regard to injuries or damage to property that may occur as a result of using the information and carrying out the practical activities contained in this resource or in any of the suggested further resources.

These activities are designed to be carried out by children working with a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. The adult involved is fully responsible for ensuring that the activities are carried out safely.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Theresa Bourgeois

    July 23, 2019 at 6:21 pm

    Would love other simple Science experiments. I teach all levels in a SPED classroom. Thank You!!!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Welcome!

Imagine a world where science education is accessible to everyone and is all about hands-on, exciting discoveries. That’s the world I want to create.

More about me

Around the World in 50 Experiments

50 experiments about countries of the world

Footer

↑ back to top

Science Sparks - FREE science experiments for kids

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Services
  • Media Kit
  • FAQ

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 Science Sparks - Wild Sparks Enterprises Ltd