10 Fun Facts About Neil Armstrong + Engaging Printables for Kids

Looking for a fun, hands-on way to teach your kids about one of America’s most famous astronauts? This post is packed with fun facts about Neil Armstrong that will inspire your learners and launch curious questions about space, science, and the Moon.

Whether you’re diving into a space unit, learning about famous explorers, or looking for a creative way to celebrate a STEM week, these Neil Armstrong facts are perfect for homeschool or classroom learning. You’ll also find three free printables to make your lesson out of this world-including a Neil Armstrong coloring page, a timeline activity, and a mini biography story that brings his journey to life.

TL;DR: Fun Facts about Neil Armstrong

Neil Armstrong was the first person to walk on the Moon. This kid-friendly post includes 10 fun facts, a quick bio, Moon landing highlights, and free printables.

Who Was Neil Armstrong? A Quick Biography for Kids

Neil Armstrong was born on August 5, 1930, in Wapakoneta, Ohio. He took his first airplane ride when he was six years old and was hooked on flying from that moment on. By the time he was 15, he had earned his pilot’s license-even before he got his driver’s license.

Armstrong studied aerospace engineering and became a Navy pilot, test pilot, and eventually, a NASA astronaut. On July 20, 1969, he became the first person to walk on the Moon as part of the Apollo 11 mission.

His famous words, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind,” are among the most quoted Neil Armstrong quotes and became a symbol of human achievement and space exploration.

After the Moon landing, Armstrong became a teacher and continued to inspire future generations to reach for the stars.

10 Fun Facts About Neil Armstrong for Kids

1. He earned his pilot’s license before he could drive a car. Neil started flying lessons when he was just 14 and got his pilot’s license at 15-before he even had a learner’s permit for driving!
2. He flew 78 combat missions in the Korean War. As a Navy pilot, Armstrong flew dangerous missions and even had to eject from his plane after it was hit. He landed safely and kept flying.
3. He was a test pilot for experimental aircraft. Before going to space, Neil tested planes like the X-15 that flew at the edge of Earth’s atmosphere. He once flew more than 200,000 feet high at 4,000 mph!
4. He didn’t apply to be an astronaut – he was invited. Armstrong missed NASA’s deadline to apply, but a friend slipped his application in late. NASA accepted it. Good thing, right?
5. He made model airplanes as a kid. Neil loved building things. He even made wind tunnels in his basement to test his models-real DIY science in action.
6. He brought a piece of the Wright Brothers’ plane to the Moon. To honor the pioneers of flight, Armstrong carried a small piece of fabric from the 1903 Wright Flyer in his spacesuit.
7. He almost ran out of fuel before landing on the Moon. When Neil piloted the lunar module, he had to manually steer around rocks. He landed with just 20 seconds of fuel left!
8. He taught aerospace engineering after retiring from NASA. After space, Neil became a college professor. He wanted to help young people build and explore the future of flight.
9. He didn’t like being famous. Armstrong was quiet and humble. He didn’t seek attention and often said the Moon landing was a team effort, not a solo act.
10. He has a crater named after him on the Moon. It’s true! There’s a crater near the Apollo 11 landing site called “Armstrong Crater.” What a stellar tribute.

Bonus Fun Fact About Neil Armstrong

Did you know Neil Armstrong had to fill out a customs form when he returned from the Moon?
It’s true. He and his fellow astronauts had to declare their Moon rocks and dust when they re-entered the United States. The form listed their departure location as “Moon” and their destination as “Honolulu, Hawaii.” Even NASA had paperwork.

Neil Armstrong on the Moon

On July 20, 1969, the world watched in awe as Neil Armstrong became the first human to walk on the Moon.

The Apollo 11 spacecraft carried Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins to the Moon. While Collins stayed in orbit, Armstrong and Aldrin piloted the lunar module, Eagle, down to the surface. Armstrong carefully guided the spacecraft past dangerous rocks and landed it safely in the Sea of Tranquility.

When he stepped down the ladder and touched the Moon’s surface, Armstrong said those now-famous words:
“That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

He and Aldrin spent about 2.5 hours walking, collecting Moon rocks, and setting up experiments. They even placed a U.S. flag and a plaque that said, “We came in peace for all mankind.”

This historic moment was broadcast to millions of people back on Earth-and it changed space history forever.

Print & Go Giveaways: Free Activities for Curious Kids

Ready to blast off into learning? These free Neil Armstrong printables are a great way to turn space history into a fun and meaningful learning experience:

Springboard Learning Ideas

Keep the excitement going with these hands-on space activities:

• Build a Balloon Rocket – Use string, a straw, and a balloon to learn how rockets work with action and reaction.
• Design a Moon Base – What would astronauts need to live on the Moon? Create a model or sketch your ideas.
• Lunar Math – How far is the Moon from Earth? How long did it take to get there? Turn Moon data into math word problems.
• Watch the Moon Phases – Observe and chart the Moon for a month. Can you spot the Sea of Tranquility?
• Compare Space Missions – How was Apollo 11 different from today’s Artemis missions? What has changed? What’s the same?

Recommended Books, Videos & Virtual Tours for Kids

Here are a few fun resources to dig deeper into space history and learn more about Neil Armstrong:

• Who Was Neil Armstrong? (Who Was Series) – A kid-friendly illustrated biography.
• One Giant Leap: The Story of Neil Armstrong by Don Brown – A beautifully illustrated narrative of the Moon landing.
• The Story of Apollo 11 and the First Men on the Moon: the Moon Landing for Kids (YouTube) – A quick, exciting video about Apollo 11 with video clips.
• NASA’s Virtual Moon Tour – Explore the Moon’s surface using real NASA maps and tools.

FAQ: Neil Armstrong Learning Questions

Use these fun review questions to check comprehension, inspire discussion, or spark curiosity in your homeschool or classroom.

Q: Who was Neil Armstrong?

A: Neil Armstrong was an astronaut, pilot, and engineer. He became the first person to walk on the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969.

Q: What famous words did Neil Armstrong say on the Moon?

A: He said, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”

Q: What did Neil Armstrong do before becoming an astronaut?

A: He was a Navy pilot and a test pilot who flew experimental aircraft at extreme speeds and altitudes.

Q: How old was Neil Armstrong when he got his pilot’s license?

A: He was just 15 years old.

Q: What did Armstrong bring with him to the Moon?

A: He brought a piece of fabric from the Wright Brothers’ airplane as a tribute to the first powered flight.

Q: What did Neil Armstrong do after the Apollo mission?

A: He became a college professor and focused on teaching aerospace engineering.

Final Thoughts

Neil Armstrong’s story is a reminder that dreaming big, working hard, and staying humble can lead to amazing discoveries. Whether your kids want to fly planes, build rockets, or explore the stars, his journey shows that curiosity and courage can take you anywhere – even the Moon.

So go ahead and color the Moon landing, write your own astronaut biography, or imagine your own lunar mission. These fun facts about Neil Armstrong are the perfect launchpad for learning.