Did you know? 650 million people saw Neil Armstrong take his first steps on the moon. That one event changed the way kids dream about space forever.
More than 50 years after Apollo 11 landed on the moon, children are still captivated by rockets, astronauts, and the mysteries of space. July 20 is National Moon Day, a great time to turn that curiosity into learning, adventure, and fun reading.
In this post, you'll learn the history behind National Moon Day, uncover five exciting ways to celebrate it with your kids, and meet the Space Bound book series, a chapter book adventure that makes blast-off feel real.
What Is National Moon Day?
Imagine the whole world seeing the first human contact with the surface of a satellite. That's precisely what took place on July 20, 1969, the historic day that National Moon Day honors annually.
Neil Armstrong became the first person to set foot on the moon that day when he descended the ladder of the lunar module Eagle. Shortly later, Buzz Aldrin joined him, and Michael Collins stayed in orbit in the command module, getting ready to return home.
Armstrong said something that would go down in history as he set foot on the moon: "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."
More than five decades later, the Apollo 11 mission remains one of humanity's most remarkable accomplishments, proving that imagination, determination, and innovation can take us farther than we ever thought possible.
The first moon landing was not only historic, but also an inspiration for generations of children to dream bigger.
A Quick Apollo 11 Timeline
- July 16, 1969: Apollo 11 launches from Kennedy Space Center.
- July 20, 1969: The lunar module Eagle lands on the moon.
- July 20-21, 1969: Armstrong and Aldrin walk on the lunar surface and collect moon rocks.
- July 24, 1969: The crew lands safely back on Earth.
Want the full story straight from the source? The National Air and Space Museum has an excellent deep dive into the mission.
Why Moon Day Still Matters for Kids
Kids today weren't there for the moon landing, but they definitely can still be inspired by it.
There is more to the Apollo 11 story than just landing on the moon. It's about raising big questions, conquering obstacles, and teaming up to accomplish something remarkable. Children now can benefit from lessons like these just as much as they did over fifty years ago.
Let's face it, space is fun. Whether they're envisioning life on Mars, building cardboard rockets, or imagining becoming astronauts, few subjects pique a child's imagination quite like the mysteries of space.
Fun Moon Facts Kids Will Love
Start a conversation at the dinner table or during our Moon Day word hunt with these fun facts:
- If you could drive to the moon, you'd travel about 238,855 miles, nearly enough distance to circle Earth ten times!
- In all of human history, just 12 astronauts have walked on the moon.
- Some of the footprints from the Apollo missions may still be visible today.
- Because the moon has no wind or weather, those footprints could remain untouched for millions of years.
5 Fun Ways to Celebrate National Moon Day
No need for a rocket ship to celebrate. Here are five simple ways to celebrate the day with kids of all ages:
1. Stargazing after dark
Take a pair of binoculars or a telescope and head outside after sunset. Or on a clear night, you can see the moon craters with the naked eye; special equipment is not necessary.
2. Make a cardboard rocket
Create a spaceship out of an old box. Add control panels, a steering wheel, and a countdown clock for hours of pretend-play fun.
3. Do a space-themed word hunt
Blast off into learning with our space-themed word hunt! Kids will have fun searching for space-themed words while building vocabulary, strengthening spelling skills, and improving pattern recognition, all while celebrating National Moon Day.
4. Go to a Science Center or Planetarium
Many science centers offer special programming for Moon Day in July. Check out shows and displays at your local science center or planetarium.
5. Snuggle up with a space adventure book
Reading is one of the easiest ways to bring space to life. A good story can achieve what a textbook can’t: make children feel like they’re actually on the mission.
Make Moon Day Out of This World with Space Bound
The Space Bound series is a top pick for Moon Day if your young reader is prepared for their own little adventure.
Monty, his sister Ivory, and their robot, Echo, are the main characters of these chapter books. The three discover a real rocket ship hidden in the forest and unintentionally launch it. When they land on Mars, they realize their pretend adventure has become reality.
To create a super fuel for deep-space travel, the team must now travel across the solar system to gather rare materials. Along the way, they learn they aren't the only ones out there.
Space Bound is designed with growing readers in mind:
- Ages: 7-12
- Grades: 1-4
- Format: Paperback chapter books, about 112 pages each
- Lexile range: 480-540
That makes it a great fit for kids who are ready to move past picture books but aren't quite ready for longer young adult novels yet.
What's Inside the Space Bound 5-Book Set
The Space Bound Pack One bundle includes all five books in the series:
- The Iron Heart of Mars: The crew's adventure begins on the red planet.
- The Dark Side of Mercury: Monty and Ivory face the planet closest to the sun.
- The Haze of Venus: The team navigates a planet shrouded in mystery.
- The Rift of the Moon: A Moon Day favorite, set right on Earth's own satellite.
- The Red Storm of Jupiter: The mission reaches its biggest challenge yet.
Parents who've read the series say it's an easy hit. One mom shared that she and her son read the books together and both enjoyed the engaging storyline from start to finish. Another reviewer said her 8-year-old finished the whole set in a single week and immediately asked for more.
For families who already enjoy hands-on learning, pair the books with Bakken Books' Science Inspectors series for even more STEM-themed reading
Wrap Up: Bring the Moon Landing Home This July 20th
National Moon Day is a fun excuse to look up, ask big questions, and tell kids that real-life adventures can start with just a little bit of curiosity.
Whether you spend the day stargazing, building a cardboard rocket, or reading about Monty, Ivory and Echo’s next mission, you’re helping a young reader fall in love with space.
