Let’s Have a Party on the Moon!

Cut two rocket shapes, one of aluminum foil and one of construction paper, and paste together. Cut three sides of a window in the aluminum foil. Draw an astronaut’s smiling face in the window so he can be seen when the flap is opened. Cut a little slit near the bottom of the rocket and place a balloon in it (see illustration). Write your message on the back of rocket:

Would you like to be the first (boy, girl) astronaut?

Bring the enclosed thrust engine (balloon) to (name) ’s launching pad at (address) .

Countdown will be at (time, date) .

We’ll travel to moon craters for a special (birthday or other) party.

It will be a real blast-off.

Please come!

A Moon Family Reunion

Play a record of electronic or strange-sounding music, or play a record on the wrong speed. Using this music, guests could pantomime their own interpretation of outer space people as they greet each other. They may pretend to be babies, children, or adults.

Ringtoss the Rocket

Throw rings over a toy rocket on the floor (this could be a relay game).

Partner Moonwalk

With a blown-up balloon as partner, players must keep balloon constantly in the air by hitting it gently. Each player must walk or jump as silently and lightly as the balloon or be called from the game. The last three moonwalkers are declared winners because of their quiet bounce.

Moon Orders

(Small folded notes should be placed inside the moonwalk balloons before party.) Players sit in a circle with moonwalk balloons. Each player pops his balloon to find his paper moon orders. He then reads aloud what he must do and does it while the others have fun watching. Orders could be: Fly like a bird, bow like a robot to each guest, etc.

A toy rocket or a rocket on a cake could be used as a centerpiece. Pictures, globes, maps of the moon and universe, and cutout stars may be used to decorate the walls.

The entrance is special. Arrange a launching pad (two or three sturdy steps) just inside the front door. Each guest climbs to the top with a balloon (the one from his invitation if he remembers to bring it). He blows up his thrust engine (balloon) and lets it go just as he jumps off the launching pad onto the moon (a mattress or pile of pillows). He is now on the moon for the party and is given a brown paper bag with a four-inch hole cut in one side. He places the paper bag over his head with the cutout circle over his face. This is his own space helmet to wear for the activities.

Serve packaged foods. Each astronaut must open his own food kit, which could include such things as canned pudding (eaten from the can), foil-wrapped sandwiches or cakes, and packaged potato chips. If a beverage is desired, give each astronaut a cup of water and powdered drink to mix into it.

Be sure you don’t litter the moon or earth or any planet. Gather up all wrappings and crumbs after your party.