Katherine Johnson facts and activities for kids

Katherine Johnson was a brilliant mathematician who played a crucial role in the early days of NASA’s space program. She helped astronauts travel safely to space and back to Earth using her incredible math skills.

If your child loves space, numbers, or inspiring stories, our children’s picture book about Katherine Johnson is a great way to introduce them to her amazing life.

Katherine Johnson biography book for Kids

Who was Katherine Johnson?

Katherine Johnson was born on August 26, 1918, in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. From a young age, she was exceptionally gifted in math and skipped several grades in school.

She later worked for NASA, where she calculated flight paths that helped send astronauts into space, including John Glenn’s historic orbit around the Earth.

Katherine faced many challenges due to racial and gender discrimination, but she never gave up. Her work paved the way for future generations of women and African American scientists in STEM fields.

Katherine Johnson facts for kids

Here are some fun and easy-to-understand facts about Katherine Johnson that preschoolers and kindergarteners will love:

  1. She was a math genius! Katherine loved numbers and could solve math problems faster than most adults.
  2. She helped send people to space. NASA used her calculations to make sure astronauts could travel safely.
  3. She loved to learn. Katherine finished high school at just 14 years old and went to college to study math.
  4. She broke barriers. She worked in a time when women and African Americans had fewer opportunities in science, but she proved she belonged at NASA.
  5. She received a special award. In 2015, President Barack Obama gave her the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her contributions to space travel.
Katherine Johnson Activities for preschoolers and kindergarten

Fun Katherine Johnson activities for preschool and kindergarten

Want to bring Katherine Johnson’s story to life? Try these fun activities with your little learners:

1. Space Math Counting Game

What you need:

  • Cut-out paper stars
  • Number cards (1-10)

How to play:

  • Scatter the stars on the floor.
  • Pick a number card and have kids count out the correct number of stars.
  • Explain how Katherine Johnson used numbers to help astronauts find their way in space!

2. Paper Rocket Craft

What you need:

  • Colored paper
  • Glue and scissors
  • Markers

How to make it:

  • Help kids cut out a simple rocket shape.
  • Decorate with stars and numbers.
  • Talk about how Katherine Johnson helped NASA plan rocket trips!

3. Moon Walk Obstacle Course

What you need:

  • Pillows, chairs, and tape to mark a path

How to play:

  • Set up an obstacle course and pretend it’s the moon!
  • Kids must carefully hop from one “planet” to another.
  • Relate it to how NASA plans safe paths for astronauts, just like Katherine Johnson did!
Katherine Johnson Facts for Kids

Inspire with Katherine Johnson’s story!

A Katherine Johnson biography book for kids can inspire young learners to dream big and love learning. Her story teaches valuable lessons about:

  • Perseverance – Never giving up, even when faced with challenges.
  • Curiosity – The power of asking questions and seeking knowledge.
  • Math and Science – Showing that numbers can be fun and exciting!

Katherine Johnson’s life proves that hard work, determination, and a love of learning can lead to incredible achievements.

Whether through a children’s biography book, fun activities, or simply talking about her story, kids can learn that they, too, can reach for the stars!

Looking for more engaging biographies for kids? Explore more stories about real-life heroes who changed the world!