Far-Out-Fun Activities
Ages 4 – 8

Martian Rock
Hop on board a white-knuckle ride through the peril of the planets. Author and pilot Carol Diggory Shields is at the controls of MARTIAN ROCK, with illustrator and navigator Scott Nash providing astonishing views out the window! Make friends with the Martians as you take a riotous romp through the galaxy with these activities:

Download Activity Kit now.
Activity Kit includes:
"If Martians landed in my neighborhood, they’d find…" sheet
MARTIAN ROCK word search
MARTIAN ROCK Word Search answer key
"The Silliest Story in the Universe" fill-in-the blanks
Coloring sheets

Planets Guessing Game
Call out the characteristics of each planet (turn to the end of MARTIAN ROCK for a handy list), and ask children to identify the planets.

Storytelling
Ask kids to make up their own outer space tales or create a sequel to MARTIAN ROCK. What do they think will happen, for instance, when the penguins visit Mars?

Rhyme Time
Have children call out rhymes in response to key words from the text. Try to shape the words into a group poem by using an easel or scratch board.

Orbit-the-Sun Game (i.e., musical chairs)
Musical chairs with a twist: play a song with an outer space theme. Have one child pretend to be the sun at the center of the ring.

Prize Idea
Red Hot candy balls make great honorary hunks of Martian Rock!