Spring Into Action! Fun Holidays to Celebrate with the Kids
Spring is often a favorite time of the year. Everyone and everything begins to thaw, flowers bloom, and love blossoms. There are a few other days of recognition, however, that often go unnoticed.
Take a look at some of these lesser known holidays such as National Pretzel Day or National Chicken Dance Day. Have you ever heard of National Escargo Day or My Bucket’s Got a Hole in it Day?
Some of these are only celebrated in America, but many of them are recognized around the globe. See how these days can bring some additional fun to your family. Why not consider some of these holidays when making plans for your family this spring?
April 26 – National Pretzel Day
Celebrate this fun day with all kinds of different pretzels! Pick up a few bags of this salty treat in different shapes and sizes. Go to your nearest soft pretzel place and try their twist on a new pretzel. Take some and dip them in chocolate or white chocolate. Get creative and find your own recipe for pretzels and make some with the kids.
You could do all sorts of games and crafts with pretzels too. Purchase a bag of pretzel sticks and build pretzel-log cabins with glue. Learn about the history of the pretzel and learn how the pretzel is believed to be the world’s oldest snack. What fun facts can you and your kids learn about the pretzel?
May 1 - Save the Rhino Day
Since Save the Rhino Day shares its special day with the globally celebrated May Day, we want to make sure that it is not forgotten. The rhinoceros is a fascinating animal that is native to Africa but has been in danger of extinction. Save the Rhino Day helps bring awareness of this issue and helps protect this animal from hunters.
Pick up some books at the library about the rhinoceros. Find out some fun facts about rhinos and share them with your kids. If you have more time, take a trip to the zoo and visit some rhinos in person.
May 3 – Lumpy Rug Day
Nothing says comfort like a good, well placed rug! Celebrate the rugs in your house or pick up some new ones to replace any lumpy ones you may have. Why not get creative and weave a small rug yourself? Using some yarn or strips of leftover material, you can build a loom with a piece of cardboard and weave a fun design. Be sure to get the kids involved for this craft. At the end of the day, sit around your own rug and read books together as a family.
May 3 – National Teachers Day
Be sure to recognize and appreciate the teachers in your life. Have your child make a special card or put together a gift basket to give to their teacher. Organize a class party to shower your child’s teacher with affection.
Write a card to your child’s teacher yourself. Let them know how much you appreciate them and their partnership in teaching your child. You could even write a note to a teacher that meant a lot to you as a child. Whatever you do on this day, be sure to show those who have dedicated their lives to educating others how much of a difference they are making.
May 6 – Beverage day
Celebrate your favorite beverage! Fix your child’s favorite smoothie for breakfast. Dress up their juice in a fancy cup for lunch. Serve milk for dinner in your best wine glasses. Be creative. Try something new on this day. Get the kids involved and have them pick out something new to try. No matter what you do on this day, be sure to quench your thirst!
Another fun idea for Beverage Day would be to set up a lemonade stand and give free lemonade to your neighbors. Share the celebration and take water bottles to the city and pass them out to the homeless.
May 6 – International Nurses Day
While May 6 is International Nurses Day, it marks the beginning of International Nurses Week. You’ll have all week to appreciate the nurses who have dedicated their lives to working in the medical profession to bring you the best care. Take some time out this week to send a card to the nurses that have helped you and your family.
Have the kids make a special card for their school nurse. Stop by your local doctor’s office and show your appreciation for the nurses there with some flowers, candy, or treats to share. If you have any friends or family members who are nurses, be sure to thank them for their work and let them know that you remembered them on this special day.
May 13 – Tulip Day
Nothing says spring like the tulip! Celebrate the simple beauty of the Netherland’s national flower! Decorate the house with tulips. Plant some tulip bulbs in the yard. Have the kids draw pictures of tulips. Bake and decorate cookies in the shapes of tulips. Buy some tulips from your local florist and surprise your kids’ teachers or take some to a nearby nursing home to brighten someone’s day.
May 14 – National Chicken Dance Day
Put those hands in your armpits and start flappin’ those arms! It’s time to dance like a chicken! This is one holiday celebration that the kids will enjoy! Have a Chicken Dance contest. See who can do the chicken dance the longest. Have some chicken nuggets for lunch or fried chicken for dinner. Celebrate the chicken and his wonderfully silly dance moves.
May 15 – Armed Forces Day
This day celebrates the men and women who serve in all branches of the military. Take some time to show your appreciation for their dedication and service. Make some cards or put together some care packages and send them to those who are serving far from home.
Be on the lookout for local Armed Forces Day celebrations in your area. You may be able to take advantage of parades, picnics, or events. This would be a great way to teach your children about the sacrifices that those in the military have made for us today.
May 20 – Flower Day
Flowers are one of the best things about spring. Celebrate all of your favorite flowers on this day. Give carnations or wildflowers to your friends or neighbors. Plant some flowers in your yard with your kids. Draw pictures of flowers. Go to a flower show and see how many new types of flowers you can find.
May 24 – National Escargot Day
This is the day of the year to celebrate by eating escargot! If eating snails, however, isn’t your idea of a holiday, why not celebrate the snail instead? Pick up some books from the library on snails. Learn about French culture and have some French bread with your dinner. Get creative and help the kids draw some snail pictures.
May 30 – My Bucket’s Got a Hole in it Day
To fully appreciate this silly holiday, you’ll have to familiarize yourself with the “There’s a Hole in My Bucket” song. Please use the video as a reference. On this day, celebrate the buckets in your life! Teach the song to your kids and have them perform for you at dinner.
However you celebrate spring this year, I hope that you take some time to enjoy it with your friends and family. These days of remembrance can be some fun additions to your schedule to celebrate with those you love, learn something new, or share with someone else.
Let me know how you plan to celebrate these special days or if you have any ideas to add. I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below. If you enjoyed this Hub, be sure to vote it up! Thanks for reading!
Check out my other holiday Hubs for Fall, Winter, and Summer!