"Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed". July 21 is Moon Day! Moon Day celebrates the first man on the moon. On July 21, 1969, Neil Armstrong took his very first steps on the moon's surface, in an area known as the Sea of Tranquility. Armstrong allegedly put his left foot down and declared "that's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind". Whether or not you believe that the whole thing was a hoax filmed at a Hollywood studio, everyone has to admit that the event is a monumental part of history and science. Unfortunately, because of its summer date, most school teachers do not get the chance to teach their students about Moon Day. That means it's up to you, parents, to educate your kids about Moon Day.
Ideas for Moon Day Activities
* Make moonmoon shaped cookie cutter. Call it a new moon when there are no more cookies left!
* Entertain kids during their summer vacations by having them make moon collages. Give them some glue sticks!
* Rent a spaceTelevision'>movie. Okay, it's a stretch, I know, but what other time could you get away with watching the overly dramatic "''Armageddon''"?
* Make a space mobile. Grab some paint, Styrofoam balls, and some old metal hangers and create a model of our solar system or get creative and make your own universe!
* Take a trip to the science museum! If you want to learn lots about space, a museum is the place to go. Try to find a hands-on science museum in your area for the kids.
* Have the kids put on a play and re-enact the first landing on the moon. Let them get a little silly and dress the family dog up as a Martian. They'll probably remember the activity for a long, long time.
* Learn about gravity. Maybe even let them jump on their beds, just this once (with your supervision, of course), and pretend they are weightless.
* Have older kids? Fill them in on the great "Space Race" in the 1960s between the Soviet Union and the United States.
List of Space-Themed Movies
* '''''Armageddon'''''collar jobs to stop an astroid headed for Earth. Bring a box of tissues.
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