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Welcome the New Moon
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Age: 3 to 8+
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Time: Under 1 hour
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Materials: None
- Skills: Curiosity, Focus & Self Control, Making Connections
We love celebrating each full moon together as a community — carefully anticipating the moment of peak illumination and getting extra excited to see if each new full moon comes with a special name, color or even the distinction of "supermoon."
This year, we’ve also welcomed the opportunity to slow down and savor the other end of the moon's amazing series of phases, too —the new moon. People have been noting and celebrating the new moon for centuries, and this fresh start moment is worthy of its own fanfare.
This month we get to experience a once-in-a-blue-moon event with TWO full moons, and they will both be SUPERmoons! As part of our monthly Calendar of activities, we share these ways to get in tune with this month's new moon.
The Guide
Enjoy a Cosmic Reset:
A new moon is a time of fresh starts. Take the moment to make new intentions, either yourself or as a family. Fill a jar, hat or box with ideas for brand new things you'd like to try, learn about or experience as a family.
A new moon is a time of fresh starts. Take the moment to make new intentions, either yourself or as a family. Fill a jar, hat or box with ideas for brand new things you'd like to try, learn about or experience as a family.
Or, wonder to yourself, what is a project you'd like to start or a new habit you'd like to form? Now is the time! And, you can let kids know you'll be trying something new right along with the brand new moon, just like people have done for ages!
Learn About This Moon:
This month is special — we get to experience a once-in-a-blue-moon event with TWO full August moons (one on August 1st and one on August 30th), and they will both be SUPERmoons!
Throughout time, various peoples indigenous to North America and different cultures around the world have assigned the various full moons special names. For example, the full moon that peaked on August 1st was named the Sturgeon Moon. This name is attributed to the Algonquin tribes of present-day New England and the late summer harvest when sturgeon are plentiful in the Great Lakes! Summer celebrations of abundant and bountiful resources are still a sacred and ongoing tradition for other Indigenous nations, too, and we see names like Harvest Moon and Corn Moon across different cultures.
Learning about these names attunes us to what is happening in nature. You can find the names of moons in many places, but I like this list for the range of cultures it includes.
You can find the names of moons in many places and we like this list for the range of cultures it includes.
When a second full moon appears in one calendar month, as it will this month, it's known as a Blue Moon!
When a second full moon appears in one calendar month, as it will this month, it's known as a Blue Moon!
Sense the World Around You:
Slow down to notice the world around you. The full moon invites us to slow down and reflect on the changes we see in our world. Talk about the new moon this week and go on a noticing walk with kids in your yard, neighborhood or local park. Notice the colors, the smells, the creatures that share these spaces and the sounds you hear. Welcome older kids to build a photo slideshow or create art to capture things that are changing in your biome.
Behold the Sight:
Full moons have a humbling, awesome beauty, but the tiny sliver of a new moon is gorgeous in its own delicate, almost-can't-believe-it sort of way. Be sure to behold it and wonder how it makes you feel and what it reminds you of.

Watch the Moon Grow:
Then, make a habit of watching each night to see how it grows, waxing its way a bit more each day. This August's Blue Moon will become full and reach its peak illumination on August 30th. Compare the moon each day to the image below. Where does the moon belong in the chart? Watching how the moon changes is pure celestial magic!

Why is this activity great for kids?
The new moon is a monthly invitation to slow down, look up and really connect the wonder of that glowing rock in space with the changes we see in the world around us.