Moon Landing Party

On July 20, 1969, astronaut Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon. People around the world watched and listened as Neil took "one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind."

Many people remember the excitement of watching this achievement and I thought it would be fun to hold a party in honor of the 40th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission.

We have a great "Space and Aliens" kids theme party on Party411.com that has a ton of decorating ideas, but these are a few of my favorites that I will be using -

Make signs from black poster board and glow in the dark paint. Do a few directional signs, "Moon: 238857 miles ahead", and a landmark sign or two; Mons Huygens (largest mountain on the moon) or South Pole-Aitken Basin (largest crater). Yay for educational decorations! 

Set up several black lights, and all of the glow-in-the-dark elements will shine brightly.

Hang twinkle lights in the hallways will create a beautiful tunnel of light.

Mark the occasion. The astronauts left a sign that read, "Here men from the planet Earth first set foot upon the Moon July 1969, A.D. We came in peace for all mankind." Make your own and place it near the party entrance.

Play the original moon landing on the TV to recapture the excitement. You can also play "Moon" themed music in the background -

• Moonage Daydream - David Bowie
• Bark at the Moon -  Ozzy Osborne
• New Moon on Monday - Duran Duran
• Moon Dance - Van Morrison
• Dark Side of the Moon - Pink Floyd
• Blue Moon - Elvis Presley
• Neon Moon - Brooks & Dunn
• Fly Me to the Moon - Frank Sinatra
• Man on the Moon - REM
• Moon Over Georgia - Shenandoah
• Harvest Moon - Neil Young
• I Wished on the Moon - Tony Bennet
• Bad Moon Rising - Creedence Clearwater Revival
• Dancing in the Moonlight - King Harvest
• Apollo 13 Soundtrack
• Piano Sonata No. 14 in C# "Moonlight"- Beethoven

Don't for get to theme your menu too! Serve Moons Over My Hammy, a cheese ball (since everyone knows that the moon is made of cheese), moon pies and these cute moon themed cupcakes. I just used a cake mixed and mixed some crushed chocolate cookie into the frosting to give it a gray look. Plant a little flag on top and you're all set!

You can also serve Moon themed drinks -

• Blue Moon
• Shoot the Moon

Nasa has a whole section of their site dedicated to the moon landings 40th anniversary if you would like to learn more about the history of the mission. I hope this inspires you to have your own party to celebrate our giant leap into space!

 - Kathleen

Comments

[Puma Clyde]

I really like your blog style! Great antiquity! Gives a clear feeling! Is a major sensory enjoyment ah

[SFOliver]

Hi guys. I made a mash-up music recording that features the communication between Apollo 11 and Houston as well as Nixon's phone call to the astronauts accompanied by a funky, fresh beat-driven song by the JAMs. Please feel free to play it at your Moon Landing Party. I'll be blasting it on repeat for mine.
you can find the Moon Landing Party Jam
http://apocalypsepopsicle.blogspot.com/

[Jessica]

I love this idea...especially making Denny's amazing Moons Over My Hammy! Scrumptious!

[Goncalo]

There will be a new TV show that’s going to sow us the Secrets of the Moon Landing. Can’t wait for it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdaBwh20nIk