A bingo game can be adapted to many learning activities from reading to science -- and learning the names of the phases of the moon. Using a blank card divided into nine boxes, depict a representation of the phases of the moon on each space. The middle box can be blank or labeled "free." Each call out card should contain the name of a phase of the moon. Kids can play the game over and over again to learn the name and picture of the phases of the moon. The game also offers auditory and visual modes of learning.
Labeling games are another great way to teach kids the basic fundamentals of moon phases. A labeling game can be played all together, in teams or individually. The purpose of the game is to identify the picture and label it appropriately. It can be hand-drawn or printed from the computer. Either way the game includes a picture of the Earth at the center of the drawing, surrounded by the phases of the moon. At the side of each phase a blank line is drawn. If the kids are playing the game in teams the picture should be large enough for all to see. When the teacher calls out the name of a phase of the moon the kids quickly identify it and write the name on the blank line. The first team to correctly identify all phases wins.
Using food to teach kids is always a treat, especially when cookies are involved. Have the kids make a placemat with eight boxes and label each box with the name of a phase of the moon. Provide eight creme-filled cookies to each kid and have them demonstrate each phase with a cookie. The kids will enjoy eating half or more of the cookie to represent a quarter or crescent moon. The kids can judge each other's work by identifying the best representations and the ones who ate too much of the cookie.
A word search game can help kids identify the names of the phases of the moon without having a picture to fall back on. They practice spelling the word as well as saying it. The game can be used to pass some time or can be timed to see who can find all eight words first. Concentration games or matching games are simple to create. Using 16 note cards, eight depicting a phase of the moon and eight with the written name of the phase, the kids can match the name with the correct picture. Again, the kids can be timed to see who completes the matching the game the quickest or the game can be played individually.