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ScienceMath

Moon-Crater Investigators

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Grades K-230-45 minSource: Creative Dad Company

Kids drop objects into a flour tray to see how size and height change the craters they leave behind. It's a satisfyingly messy way to explore what shapes the surface of the moon.

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Every level teaches the same core idea — pick the one that fits your time, budget, and energy today.

Prep: 9 minActivity: 35 min1 session~$4/groupOne table or clear floor areaBeginner-friendly

Setup

Gather only common or recycled items needed to drop different objects from different heights into the flour tray, marking each spot. Place the materials beside a simple recording sheet or blank paper, and prepare the Moon-Crater Investigators challenge in one working area; no digital device is needed.

Activity

  1. Predict how the size of an object and the height it's dropped from will change the crater it makes.
  2. Drop different objects from different heights into the flour tray, marking each spot.
  3. Measure the craters and discover the results don't quite match the prediction, then retest by changing just one variable.
  4. Present a crater-size chart explaining what causes bigger or smaller craters on the moon.

Done when: The learner completes Moon-Crater Investigators after carrying out this core test: Measure the craters and discover the results don't quite match the prediction, then retest by changing just one variable. The learner then uses that result to complete the final task: Present a crater-size chart explaining what causes bigger or smaller craters on the moon.

Materials

Flour or sand in a tray, marbles or rocks of different sizes, a ruler, a flashlight

Shown for the Quick Start version — switch tabs above to see what changes.

Disclosure: Materials links below go to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate, Creative Dad Company earns from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Steps

  1. Predict how the size of an object and the height it's dropped from will change the crater it makes.
  2. Drop different objects from different heights into the flour tray, marking each spot.
  3. Measure the craters and discover the results don't quite match the prediction, then retest by changing just one variable.
  4. Present a crater-size chart explaining what causes bigger or smaller craters on the moon.

Standards it satisfies

  • NGSS · 2-ESS1-1

    Use information from several sources to provide evidence that Earth events can occur quickly or slowly.