Wrap the string around the globe 9.5 times. Hold one end of the string at the surface of Earth and stretch the measured string across the classroom. The other end of the string represents the distance of Earth to the Moon. This activity provides a visual demonstration of the distance between Earth and the Moon. Relative positions of bodies in space are difficult to visualize because of the enormity of the distances between them.
Scale models provide an opportunity to put meaning to astronomical numbers.
For a follow-up activity, create a larger model of the Moon and Earth with chalk on a playground.