February 20: John Glenn Becomes First Man to Orbit Moon (1962)

image from Wikipedia.org

To celebrate the day, kids can play this space-themed game:

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Satellite

Materials:

• A chair

Directions:

1. The astronaut begins in the middle of the play area touching a chair (a spaceship).
2. The astronaut can leave the spaceship for only ten seconds at a time before he/she must go back for air.
3. During the ten seconds, the astronaut tries to capture as many satellites (other players) as possible.
4. Any satellite tagged by the astronaut goes to the chair and becomes another astronaut.
5. If an astronaut fails to make it back to the ship in ten seconds, then one satellite must be given up.
6. Play continues untl only one satellite remains. This person becomes the new astronaut.

Source(s): Toolbox Training’s book 100 Game Activities for Kids (activity A14)

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Check out the full February calendar. It includes floating holidays, specialty weeks, and specialty months.

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May 2: Space Day

image from aces.edu

Space Day was started in 2001 by astronaut John Glenn. This is an opportunity for the kids to learn about space – specifically the stars – by making planetariums.

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Planetariums

Materials:

• star guides
• photocopied pictures of constellations
• boxes
• nails
• hammer

Directions:

1. Use star guides for ideas for constellations or let kids make up their own.
2. Kids can photocopy pictures of constellations and use them as stencils for where to nail holes.
3. Poke holes in a box with hammer and nails to create constellations and other maps of where stars and planets are in the sky.
4. To get kids planning, ask questions like: Are these real constellations or made-up constellations? What are their names? Which direction is north? South? East? West? How does the summer sky differ from the winter sky? Spring? Fall? Can we see the planets in this planetarium? If so, how many? Which ones? Where would the moon be?
5. When finished, take box into a dark room and shine the flashlight through it to see constellation.

Source(s): Toolbox Training’s 100 Construction Activities for Kids (activity D9).