Sally Ride was a physicist and astronaut who joined NASA in 1978 and made history on June 18, 1983, when she became the first American woman to travel to space aboard the space shuttle Challenger as a crew member of STS-7.
Sally Ride Day is observed annually on May 26, her birthday, to honor her achievements and celebrate her legacy.
Although Sally Ride passed away on July 23, 2012, after a battle with pancreatic cancer, her contributions to space exploration continue to inspire and influence young people, especially girls. Sally Ride Day is the perfect opportunity to encourage all children to develop a passion for science and space exploration.
We have five fun ways to celebrate Sally Ride Day on May 26 — or anytime you want to set your sights on the sky!
1. Explore the NASA Kids' Club website.
NASA has a fun and educational website to help kids learn about space, science, and exploration. The platform features interactive games, puzzles, videos, and activities that cover various NASA missions, astronauts, spacecraft, and scientific ideas.
All the content is child-friendly, making learning about space exciting and accessible. Visit www.nasa.gov/kidsclub.
2. Learn about Sally Ride.
Truth is better than fiction! Learn about Sally Ride's life, remarkable accomplishments, and significant contributions to space exploration. The following books for kids and tweens are linked directly to Arapahoe Libraries, but readers can also find them at Englewood Library and Denver Public Library.
- Sally Ride by Erin Edison (ages 4-8)
- Cupcakes with Sally Ride by Kyla Steinkraus (ages 5-7)
- Sally Ride by Atia Abawi (ages 6-9)
- Leaders Like Us: Sally Ride by Kaitlyn Duling (ages 6-10)
- Who Was Sally Ride? by Megan Stine (ages 7-10)
- Sally Ride: Trailblazing Astronaut by Rebecca Felix (ages 8-12)
- Sally Ride: A Photobiography of America's Pioneering Woman in Space by Tam O'Shaughnessy (ages 10-14)
3. Plan an adventure.
Play Street Museum Highlands Ranch is hosting an Astronaut Night on May 26. Young children will enjoy playtime and space-themed crafts!
For an active adventure, visit a space-themed playground such as Quail's Crossing Park in Westminster, Ralston Valley Park in Arvada, or Scott Carpenter Park in Boulder.
For a learning adventure, explore the wonders of the universe at:
- The Space Odyssey exhibit and Gates Planetarium at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science
- The Fiske Planetarium at CU Boulder
- Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum in Denver
- Space Foundation Discovery Center in Colorado Springs
4. Make a space-themed craft.
Crafts are a fun way for kids to learn more about a topic while expressing creativity and imagination. We have step-by-step instructions to design a Soda Bottle Rocket, create a Splatter Paint Galaxy, or make an Earth Squish Painting.
5. Have a family movie night.
Explore your love of space with a big batch of popcorn and a great movie! Following are some of my family's favorites. These choices are linked directly to Englewood Library, but movie enthusiasts can also borrow them from Arapahoe Libraries and Denver Public Library.
- Space Buddies (G)
- Apollo 13 (PG)
- Capture the Flag (PG)
- E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (PG)
- Home (PG)
- Planet 51 (PG)
- Treasure Planet (PG)
- The Martian (PG-13)
