Materials
strong balloon for each child
markers
Instructions
* Space Day is the first Thursday in May.
1. Talk to the children about galaxies in the universe and explain how they
are made up of huge groups of stars clustered together. Tell them that
scientists believe that the galaxies are moving farther apart all the time.
2. Give each child a deflated balloon and a marker. Safety Note: Make sure
the children do not put the balloons near their mouths or try to blow
them up.
3. Tell them that their balloons represent their own personal universe.
4. Invite the children to design their own galaxies, using
a marker dot for each star.
5. Suggest that they draw many
different-shaped galaxies all
over their "universe" (for
example, dots making a
ring, oval, circle, or
spiral shape).
6. Encourage them
to watch as the
balloons are
blown up by you or other adult. The
galaxies move apart as the balloon
expands, just as they do in space.
More to do Language and Literacy: Encourage the
children to make up names for their galaxies.
Math: Use this activity to teach the differences between circles, ovals, and
spirals.
