Birthdays are the one Special Event that everyone has…..make them special celebrations even if the festivities are not on the exact day. Celebrate with food, movies, gifts and cards. Here are other events that you should plan for:
January
January 1st: New Year’s Day
3rd Monday in January: Martin Luther King
Have your child write and acrostic poems. An Acrostic poem is a poem where the first letter of each line forms a word or phrase (vertically). An acrostic poem can describe the subject or even tell a brief story about it. This type of poem is one of the simplest for a student to write because it gives the child a concrete format to use. Have them use the words “Martin Luther King” or “Freedom”.
February
Black History Month
Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by black Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of African Americans in U.S. history. The event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating black history.
Test your kids knowledge by giving them this quiz
February 14th: Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day is recognized on February 14th. It is the celebration of love and affection between companions.
Did you know that on Valentine’s Day teachers will receive the most cards, followed by children, mothers, wives, and then, sweethearts. Children ages 6 to 10 exchange more than 650 million Valentine’s cards with teachers, classmates, and family members. Below you will find several instructions on how to make some homemade cards with your kids. These ideas were taken from the familyfun.go.com website if you would like to find additional card ideas.
3rd Monday in February: President’s Day
Presidents Day, is the federal holiday officially designated as Washington’s Birthday. As the first federal holiday to honor an American citizen, the holiday was celebrated on Washington’s actual birthday in 1796 (the last full year of his presidency) on February 22.
While the holiday is still officially known as Washington’s Birthday, it has become popularly known as “President’s Day”, honoring both Washington and Lincoln, as well as all the other men who have served as president.
President’s Day is celebrated on the 3rd Monday of February.
Are you looking for activities to keep your kids busy while they are out of school for the day — why not do the follow:
Have your kids write a letter to the President, get their prospective on what is going on in the world. Also, have them include their hopes, dreams and ideas for running the country.
or give them a Word Search posted below or make your own
February 21st: Marti Gras
Marti Gras is known as the carnvial season it refers to the events of the carnival celebration beginning on or after Epiphany and ending on Ash Wednesday. Marti Gras is also known as Fat Tuesday because it is the last day of being able to eat rich and fatty foods before fasting for Lenten begins. Marti Gras is always 47 days before Easter.
March
March 17th: St Patrick’s Day
Every year on March 17th we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. What is St. Patty’s day? It is the day we celebrate being Irish or by being Irish at Heart. All across big cities and small towns there are parades; people wear green, music and songs, Irish food and drink, and activities for kids such as crafts, coloring and games. It’s a time for fun. Some communities even go so far as to dye rivers or streams green!!
Some fun things to do with your kids for St Patty’s day are:
Make Pancakes for Breakfast and dye them green (go to Eats and Treats for a recipe)
Do a St Patty’s Day Word Search
and especially make sure your kids wear green so that they don’t get pinched
April
April 1st or April Fools Day
May
May 1st or May Day
May 1st also known as May Day is celebrated in many places around the world. Traditions and stories surrounding May Day vary from place to place. However, there is one thing that is similar in most celebrations – the use of Flowers!
One of the most popularly known May Day traditions is to hang a basket full of spring flowers and/or other small gifts on a neighbor’s doorknob. The trick is you don’t want the neighbor to see you! If you get caught, you are supposed to get a kiss.
Take your kids out on Sunday to put flower baskets on neighbors door — it will be a fun activity enjoyed by all.
Below is instructions and a template on how to make May Day flower baskets
Last Monday in May: Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a United States Federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May (May 30 in 2011). Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. soldiers who died while in the military service. First enacted to honor Union and Confederate soldiers following the American Civil War, it was extended after World War I to honor Americans who have died in all wars.
Memorial Day often marks the start of the summer vacation season, and Labor Day its end.
This year,talk to your kids about honoring soldiers. Together you can make care packages for the troops …click this link for more information.
June
Sunday, June 19
Father’s Day is an occasion to mark and celebrate the contribution that your own father has made to your life. Many people send or give cards or gifts to their fathers. Common Father’s Day gifts include sports items or clothing, electronic gadgets, outdoor cooking supplies and tools for household maintenance.
Father’s Day is a relatively modern holiday so different families have a range of traditions. These can range from a simple phone call or greetings card to large parties honoring all of the ‘father’ figures in a particular extended family. Father figures can include fathers, step-fathers, fathers-in-law, grandfathers and great-grandfathers and even other male relatives. In the days and weeks before Father’s Day, many schools and Sunday schools help their pupils to prepare a handmade card or small gift for their fathers.
Below is a template for Father’s Day coupons.
Or how about making your Dad a super hero gift packet. I found these coupons on Alphamom’s website
July
July 4th: Indepenence Day
Independence Day is annually celebrated on July 4 and is often known as “the Fourth of July”. It is the anniversary of the publication of the declaration of independence from Great Britain in 1776. Patriotic displays and family events are organized throughout the United States. Many people display the American flag on their homes. The celebrations have deep roots in the American tradition of political freedom.
Make some fun family crafts for the parades or family picnic
August
September
October
November
Looking for a fun craft to do on Thanksgiving with your kids. Children will enjoy tracing their hands and feet to create this one-of-a-kind paper turkey craft for Thanksgiving.
Click on the template below to make your very own
Idea from Kaboose website
December