Gemini VIII was the first spacecraft to dock with another craft, the Agena, in 1966. The Agena gave astronauts David R. Scott and Neil Armstrong practice docking with other vehicles. These experiments prepared astronauts for lunar missions. The docking was anything but smooth. Children can read about the docking at: Gemini VIII.
Neil Armstrong and Edwin Eugene Aldrin landed the lunar module Eagle on the moon’s surface in 1969. Armstrong walked on the moon first. The first human to do so, he stated, “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” The two men walked on the moon for over two hours. Michael Collins stayed aboard the Apollo XI’s service module, Columbia. The moon walk was televised live, and everyone watched the event! The sense of great scientific accomplishment, accompanied by a big dose of patriotism, was amazing! Children could learn more about the landing and video at: Moon Landing.