Plan a Fun New Year with These Offbeat Holidays

If this year has taught us anything, it’s that it’s so important to have things to look forward to. With plans constantly changing and uncertainty abounding throughout 2020, it hasn’t been easy to allow ourselves to get excited about upcoming events. This has especially been true for children, whether they’ve had to miss birthday parties, summer vacation at Grandma’s house, or that all-important first day of school.

So let’s ensure 2021 is chock-full of exciting things for our children to look forward to, no matter what else the future holds. As the year turns and you hang that new 2021 calendar on the wall, consider filling it with fun, offbeat holidays that make otherwise ordinary days special. 

We’ve all heard of the Star Wars themed “May the Fourth” and of course National Doughnut Day (free doughnuts!). While holidays like these aren’t always recognized, they do offer plenty of potential for fun and creative celebrations.

Here are a couple of holidays for each month of 2021 you can tag on your calendar and encourage your kids to get excited about.

January 

Make winter a little less dreary with Popcorn Day on January 19. Your children can look forward to throwing a bag of popcorn in the microwave and popping on a movie, or you can show them how to make it stovetop style and experiment with fun toppings.

Next up is Backwards Day on January 31. The meaning of Backwards Day is totally up to your children. Need a few ideas for embracing Backwards Day? How about calling your children their names backwards, wearing your shirts backwards, or even walking backwards?

February

The month of Valentine’s Day includes plenty of other days to spread the love, from Thank Your Mailman Day on February 4 to Random Acts of Kindness Day on February 17.

March

March 14 is National Pi Day (3.14!), which is a great opportunity to show school-age kids that math can be fun. For younger children, this can be National Pie Day. They won’t mind!

March 20 is World Storytelling Day, a global holiday celebrating the art of oral storytelling. Your kids can take turns making up their own stories, and you can chip in with a few of your own.

April

National Siblings Day falls on April 10 and is a great time for brothers and sisters to show each other they care. Shortly after on April 18 is International Juggler’s Day, which means it’s time to get out the Hacky Sacks or balled-up socks and start practicing!

May

As the weather warms up and summer nears, your children may be so thrilled they could dance…like a chicken! Yep, Dance Like a Chicken Day, May 14, is the time to flap your wings and do the chicken dance.

After that comes Pizza Party Day on May 19. While children rarely need an excuse to eat pizza, it’s nice to give them one every once in a while. You can celebrate by holding a make-your-own mini pizza party where kids can pick their favorite toppings.

June

Encourage your children to start this month off on the right foot with Say Something Nice Day on June 1. After that is International Picnic Day on June 18, a great opportunity for the family to get outside and get some sun together.

July

Celebrate all the cousins in your family with Cousins Day on July 24. If you can’t visit a cousin or two, why not have your children send a handmade card or make a phone call?

The last day of the month, July 31, is Uncommon Musical Instrument Day, which is sure to be filled with the sounds of kazoos, hang drums, and hurdy-gurdies!

August

On Book Lovers’ Day, August 9, organize your family’s bookshelves before popping over to the local bookstore. A few days later, on August 13, don’t forget to celebrate all the lefties in your family with Left-Handers day!

September

Every once in a while, it’s okay to have a second helping of dessert. On September 4, Eat an Extra Dessert Day, it’s actually a must. On September 9, give some love to all those teddy bears that got your kids through tough and moody moments by celebrating Teddy Bear Day.

October

For whatever reason, balloons seem to brighten up any room. With Balloons Around the World Day on October 1, your children can enjoy an excuse to bring home some balloons even when it’s not their birthday.

Next up is World Teacher Day on October 5, a time to honor the teachers in our lives with a great big “Thank You!”

November

November 20 is Universal Children’s Day, when children across the world join together to promote awareness of children’s welfare and, more often than not, indulge in some sweet treats.

Towards the end of the month, introduce your children to the fun craziness of square dance and celebrate Square Dance Day on November 29.

December

Day of the Ninja, which falls on December 5, is a time to watch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and learn about the history of the medieval Japanese secret agents that inspire our modern understanding of the stealthful ninja.

Everyone has an ugly sweater they just can’t get rid of for one reason or another. December 19 is when we can all wear those ugly sweaters proudly thanks to Ugly Sweater Day!

If not all these holidays float your boat, there’s plenty more to choose from and plan a whole day around. With a couple creative and even wacky things to look forward to each month, you and your children can set the intention to have a fun year in 2021.