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The Moon Facts for Kids
Discover 12 amazing facts about The Moon, sourced from NASA and written for kids to understand and enjoy. Want to explore The Moon in 3D? Launch the game to visit!
Earth's Best Friend!
The Moon is Earth's closest neighbour in space. It travels around Earth like a buddy that never leaves, taking about a month to go all the way around.
It Borrows Its Glow!
The Moon does not make its own light. It shines because sunlight bounces off it, like a mirror in the sky catching the Sun!
Changing Shapes!
Some nights the Moon looks round, and other nights it looks like a thin smile. These changing shapes are called phases, and they happen as the Moon moves around Earth.
Footprints That Stay!
There is no wind or rain on the Moon, so the footprints astronauts left over 50 years ago are STILL there today — and they could last for millions of years!
People Walked There!
The Moon is the only other world that people have ever walked on. Twelve astronauts have bounced across its dusty surface — and one day, maybe you could too!
Super Bouncy Gravity!
The Moon's gravity is much weaker than Earth's. If you could visit, you would be able to jump six times higher than you can at home — boing!
Covered in Craters!
The Moon is dotted with round dents called craters. They were made long ago when space rocks crashed into it. Some craters are bigger than whole cities!
Sharp, Sticky Dust!
The Moon is covered in a powdery grey dust. It is so sharp and sticky that it clung to the astronauts' suits and even smelled a little like gunpowder!
Boiling Hot and Freezing Cold!
The Moon has no cozy blanket of air, so it gets boiling hot in the sunshine and freezing cold in the dark — much more extreme than anywhere on Earth.
It Pulls the Oceans!
The Moon's gravity gently tugs on Earth's oceans. This makes the sea rise and fall along the beach every day — we call this the tides!
It Always Shows One Side!
The Moon always shows the same face to Earth. The side we never see from home is called the "far side" of the Moon — and spacecraft have taken pictures of it for us!
Born From a Big Crash!
Scientists think the Moon was born long ago when a planet the size of Mars smashed into the young Earth. The bits that flew off came together to make our Moon!
Source: NASA · Last updated: