How Craters Are Formed

The Moon is covered in craters from space rocks crashing into it. Want to see how those craters form? Get ready to drop, smash, and blast your way through this explosive STEM challenge!

• A shallow tray or baking pan
• Flour (enough to fill the tray)
• Cocoa powder or baby powder (for the top layer)
• A spoon or sifter
• Marbles, small rocks, or balls of different sizes
• Ruler (optional)
• A towel or sheet to catch any mess

Time Needed: 15–20 minutes
(5 minutes setup, 15 minutes for moon smashing!)

1. Make your moon surface.
Fill your tray with flour, about 1–2 inches deep. Smooth it out with your hand.

2. Dust the top.
Use a spoon or sifter to sprinkle a thin, even layer of cocoa powder on top.

This makes your "moon crust" and helps the craters stand out!
 

3. Ready... aim... drop!
Hold a marble or rock above the tray. Drop it straight down from shoulder height.

Watch what happens—did it explode? How deep is the crater?
 

4. Try different sizes and heights.
Drop heavier or lighter rocks. Try dropping from lower or higher.

What changes? Do you see splash rings, cracks, or patterns?
 

5. Measure and compare.
Use a ruler to measure how wide or deep your craters are.
Which rock made the biggest crater? Which flew the farthest?

Name your crater zone!

• Boom Valley
• Cocoa Canyon
• Crater Cake
• Or invent your own lunar landing site!

Try This Twist:

• Drop two rocks at once—what happens when they land near each other?
• Try blowing across the flour to make a "moon wind" (even though the real moon has no air!)
• Use colored paper under clear trays for added layers.

This hands-on blast shows how craters really form on the Moon. Just like meteoroids hit the surface in space, your rocks create real craters, right in your own kitchen or classroom.

The Moon’s surface tells the story of what hit it—big, small, fast, or slow.
In this experiment, kids will:

• Explore planetary science and impact physics
• Learn how scientists study craters to understand space rocks
• Use observation, testing, and comparison—real science tools!

• What happened when you used different rock sizes?
• Which craters had rings or cracks around them?
• What surprised you the most about how the powder moved?
• Why do you think Earth doesn’t have as many craters as the moon?