Since we are celebrating the anniversary of the first man on the moon as our Theme of the Month, print the border below. Print as many sheets as you need (on 8 1/2" x 11" paper). Cut out and assemble your border along the top and bottom of your board.

Other Suggestions:

1. Cover your board with dark blue fabric (for sky).
2. Hang paper moons from the ceiling in front of the board. Click HERE for ones you can print.
3. Write your theme of the month on banner paper and put it up in the center of your board.
4. Save a corner of your board for some "Full Moon Facts & Folklore." (See our Let's Talk page.)
5. See our Theme of the Month page for a special sign you can use for all your theme-related activities this month.

Other Border Options

If you prefer to go with a traditional July theme (with Canada Day and Independence Day), cover your board with red or blue fabric and use the border below.

Also, the larkspur is one of the flowers for July. Use the border below and put it on a light purple or pink background.

Rocket Centerpieces

Blast off with these cute centerpieces this month. To make it:

1. Print a PATTERN for the rocket.
2. Cut one body, one cone and four fins out of construction paper (gray or color of choice).
3. Roll the body around a toilet paper tube (lining up the bottom edges). Tape or glue sides A and B together.
4. Overlap the flat edges of the cone and glue. Place the cone on top of the body and hold it in place with a little glue.
5. Fold back 1/4 inch of the small end of each fin. Place a little glue on the flap and glue it to the body of the rocket. (The bottom end of the fin should be parallel to the bottom of the rocket.) Space the four fins evenly around the body.
6. Decorate with star stickers and cut outs of moons or planets. Write "Blast Off!" on the side or decorate in other ways.
7. If you want, glue small pictures of residents to the sides of the rockets (to look like astronauts).

Variation: Cover toilet paper or paper towel tubes with aluminum foil or other materials.

Another Centerpiece: See our Parties & Socials page for another "spacey" centerpiece idea this month.

A "Spacey" Display

Set up a display of items related to the moon and/or space exploration this month. Tip: Use a science fair display board, which you can purchase at your local office supply store. It is a tri-fold foam board that can stand on a table. It makes a very nice display.

Place the display in your lobby or other high-traffic area. Include such things as pictures of the phases of the moon, astronomy books, pictures of the Apollo 11 Mission, etc. Also, cut small rockets out of construction paper (see photo). Add some streamers (cut from tissue paper) on the bottom edge. Cut a small square out of the center of the rocket and put a resident's or staff member's picture behind the opening to look like they are "blasting off."

More July Decorating Ideas

See our Crafter's Cove page for the directions for making "Heartstrings Patriotic Door Decorations."