30 Small September Holidays That Make Big Memories
You may be surprised to learn that there is a holiday on almost every day of the year—a minor, often silly, sometimes educational holiday.
Many days have two, three, or even more holidays on that day. With September marking the end of summer, and few well-known holidays to celebrate aside from the unofficial end of summer, Labor Day.
September is a great month to add a few extra silly holidays and turn an ordinary day into a memorable one.
When looking through the list, I suggest choosing no more than five special holidays to add to your calendar or one a week on average.
If you choose more than one per week, the joy of celebrating little holidays may become overwhelming and less enjoyable for all involved.
It’s fun planning a little treat such as Miniature Golf Day or Buy a Book Day for your kids here and there, but if every single day requires a special meal, a memorable trip, a special gift, or just the right movie to watch, it may become overwhelming.
As you look through the list, follow your instincts and pull out the ones that inspire you.
For example, maybe your family doesn’t watch Star Trek (September 8) but loves pancakes (September 26), and an extra excuse to sneak in a serving of pancakes midweek for dinner sounds like the best reason to celebrate a holiday.
September 1 – World Letter Writing day
World Letter Writing Day was created in 2014 by Richard Simkin. The day’s goal is to encourage everyone to pick up a pen and some paper and write a good old-fashioned letter.
How to Celebrate
- Grab a pen and paper (or adorable stationery) and write a letter.
- Write to a friend
- Write to a family member
- Write to a long-lost love
- Or find someone new to write to by checking out websites that connect penpals, such as globalpenfriends.com
September 2 – National Blueberry Popsicle Day
By September 2nd, the weather is starting to cool down, so it’s time to get in one last frozen treat!
Fun fact, popsicles were invented in 1905 by accident when an eleven-year-old boy, Frank Epperson, left his fruit drink outside with a stirring stick in it. In the morning, he discovered what would one day be known as the popsicle.
How to Celebrate
- Buy a blueberry popsicle and enjoy!
- Create your blueberry popsicles with the kids. First, you will want to buy a popsicle mold and try this yummy recipe from What Molly Made
September 3 – National Doodle Day
National Doodle Day is an annual fundraising event created to help support those affected by epilepsy and increase research in this area.
On this day, famous individuals from all entertainment avenues are encouraged to create doodles to be auctioned off to the highest bidders.
How to Celebrate
- Check out doodles for sale at Epliepsy.org and bid on one to support a great cause.
- Create a doodle of your own with your kids. See if the grandparents will bid on one.
September 4 – Eat an Extra Dessert Day
If you wanted an excuse to return for a second piece of chocolate cake, then today is your day. Eat an Extra Dessert Day encourages people to give in to their sweet tooth.
How to Celebrate- This one’s easy. Go back for more!
September 5 – International Day of Charity
Mother Teresa died on September 5, 1997, and with her death came an initiative to commemorate her life. In 2012 the UN declared September 5th the International Day of Charity.
Today is a day to give back and be reminded that small acts of charity can add up to help alleviate humanitarian crises and poverty all over the world.
How to Celebrate
- Consider volunteering with your favorite local organization. Check out Volunteer Match to find an opportunity near you.
- Donate funds to your favorite charity.
- Give a gift that uses the proceeds to give back to charity. Oprah Daily has a great list here.
September 6 – National Read a Book Day
I will never know why this day exists the day before Buy a Book Day. After would be much more practical, but regardless today is your day to read.
How to Celebrate
- Read a favorite book, a new book, or a book that’s been sitting on your bookshelf for five years because you insist you will read it!
- Also, consider reading a book out loud with your family.
September 7- Buy a Book Day
It’s no surprise with the rise of technology, the book-buying culture is dying. This day brings awareness and hopefully gets everyone out to buy a book.
How to Celebrate
- While you could buy a book online, consider going to a brick-and-mortar bookstore for your new read.
- You can find a used book store, a locally owned bookstore, or my favorite place to get a new book; the thrift store.
September 8 – Star Trek Day
On September 8, 1966, Gene Roddenberry’s vision came to life with the debut of the original Star Trek.
How to Celebrate
- With thirteen star trek movies and twelve different series in the Star Trek franchise, you should have no trouble finding something to watch to commemorate the day.
Unless, of course, you can’t decide which to watch! You can always start with my favorite series—Star Trek: The Next Generation.
September 9 – National Teddy Bear Day
In 1902 President Theodore Roosevelt refused to shoot a bear cub.
The story made national news and inspired a New York store owner to create a new toy.
It was a small bear, and he wrote the President to ask permission to name the new toy a Teddy Bear after the President himself.
If you grew up in the 80’s or early 90’s then Teddy Bear Day may bring back memories of this classic cartoon; The Teddy Bears’ Picnic.
How to Celebrate
- You can give a Teddy Bear to someone you love.
- Donate bears to a charity for children.
- Dig out your teddy bear and find him a place of honor in your home.
- Host a Teddy Bear Picnic or tea party Inspired by the 1989 film.
- Watch a movie or read a book depicting your favorite teddy bear. Options include-
- Paddington Bear
- Winnie the Pooh
- Corduroy
- The Care Bears
- Or, for the adults looking to celebrate – Ted
September 10 – Sew Be It
Sew Be It Day commemorates the day Elias Hows was awarded the first American patent for a sewing machine in 1846. Also sometimes known as Sewing Machine Day.
How to Celebrate
- Even if you don’t have a sewing machine consider pulling out a needle and thread and showing the kids how to stitch up a simple hole, it’s a skill everyone should know, and what better day to learn than on Sew Be it Day?
- You can also visit your local craft store or check online for age-appropriate sewing kits for kids of all ages.
September 11- Patriot Day
While most holidays on this list aim to be fun, silly, or delicious, September 11 was one day it seemed essential to pay tribute and reflect on the devastating attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001.
How to Honor Patriot Day
- Find a memorial or ceremony taking place in your hometown to visit.
- Participate in a moment of silence. The most recognized moment of silence is when the first plane hit the first tower at 8:46 AM Eastern Standard time.
September 12 – National Video Games Day
While video games used to be just for kids, in the modern world, it’s hard to find someone who doesn’t have a game or two in their pocket via their cellphone.
Some of the earliest video games were created in the 1950s, but it wasn’t until the first home console, designed in 1967 by the “Father of Video Games,” Ralph Baer, that video games became a household activity.
How to Celebrate
- If your kid has been drooling over a new video game, it may be the day to get it for them or consider getting them a Nintendo Switch for gaming on the go.
- Go to an arcade to try some new games and relive the classics.
- Get together with friends to play Multiplayer games.
- Try out the new trend in video games with the Oculus Virtual Reality Headset.
September 13 – National Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day & International Chocolate Day
While most days on this list have multiple holiday options, these two went together so well I couldn’t resist.
National Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day was created to get children and adolescents cooking alongside the adults in their life.
Or, you could let them take over the kitchen if you’re brave enough. National Kids Take Over the Kitchen Day was started by the “Young Chefs Academy,” a cooking school located in texas.
In addition, today is also International Chocolate day, so consider baking something chocolaty with your little one.
How to Celebrate-
- Get out your aprons and find fun but easy recipes to cook with the kids. If you need inspiration, check out The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs.
- Watch Master Chef Junior for inspiration on how amazing kids can cook when given a chance.
September 14 – National coloring day
National Coloring Day, not to be confused with National Coloring Book Day (August 2), is a day to embrace all types of coloring.
Coloring is an iconic pastime for kids of all ages, but in recent decades coloring has become a beloved stress reducer for teens, adults, and seniors worldwide.
How to Celebrate
Gather your supplies
Leave a coloring book at the breakfast table for your kids to find in the morning. Mail a coloring book to your grandchild or find the perfect adult coloring book and give it a try.
September 15 – Greenpeace Day
Greenpeace was founded on September 15, 1971. To stop a nuclear testing site, 17 activists sailed into the vicinity of the testing.
While the testing proceeded, the activist started a movement, and in 2011, Greenpeace Day was proclaimed a holiday.
How to Celebrate
- Choose one area of your life to go zero waste. Perhaps reusable grocery bags, produce bags, or metal straws to start?
- Walk around your neighborhood and pick up trash.
- Donate to an environmental charity of your choice (Greenpeace being a great option)
- Volunteer with a local environmental organization.
September 16 – National Play-Doh Day
We’ve all had experiences with play-doh. Either you played with it in your youth, helped your children create a masterpiece, or cleaned it out of a carpet.
Regardless of your contact with playdoh, today is the day to embrace the mess and have fun.
How to Celebrate
- Create homemade play-doh with your kids. Living Well Mom has a great recipe to get you started.
- Buy play-doh or play-doh accessories and play!
- For older kids, consider getting modeling clay. Then, they can create art that can be air or oven-dried.
September 17 – National Arielle K. Sterrett Day (AKA – Random Acts of Kindness Day)
Arielle’s mom founded National Arielle K. Sterrett Day after her daughter died at the young age of 18.
September 17, which was also Arielle’s birthday, has become an opportunity for people to show random acts of kindness and spread love throughout the world in Arielle’s honor.
How to Observe
- Strengthen the relationships in your life by reaching out, sending a letter, visiting a friend, or giving an overdue big hug.
- Participate in Random Acts of Kindness. Here are a few ideas
- Give compliments to as many people as you can.
- Use sidewalk chalk to write out positive messages.
- Put coins in parking meters for the next person.
- Collect litter that you see when you are out and about.
- If you get the opportunity, leave someone a big tip today.
- Bring store boughten or homemade snacks to your local firehouse.
- Create a chalk obstacle course for your community.
September 18 – National Cheeseburger Day
Few foods are more of an American staple than the cheeseburger. Grilled at every BBQ in America and found at many restaurants, there is never a cheeseburger too far away.
On this day, you will easily find a free or at least discounted cheeseburger to indulge your cravings.
How to Celebrate
- If you want to skip the lines in your quest for a free burger, then host a BBQ and make one just how you like it.
- Track down a free Cheeseburger by looking up your favorite burger joint and see if they are participating in the national day.
- If you’re vegan, don’t despair! Many restaurants are serving Beyond burgers these days, or you could pick up the ingredients at your local grocery store and make a drool-worthy cheeseburger.
September 19 – Talk Like a Pirate Day
In 1995 two friends from Oregan got together and created Talk Like a Pirate Day as a joke.
The holiday stayed within the group of friends until 2002, when they wrote to a humor columnist and asked him to be the spokesperson for Talk Like a Pirate Day.
He agreed and wrote a column about the holiday, giving it nationwide attention. Soon there were events and celebrations all across the country.
How to Celebrate
- Walk, talk and dress like a pirate. Today is your day to become Jack Sparrow.
- Speaking of Jack Sparrow, watch your favorite Pirate movie today. Some fan f favorites include:
- Treasure Island
- The Pirates: Band of Misfits
- Peter Pan
- The Pirates of Penzance
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- The Goonies
- Find a Pirates Cove Mini golf near you, and you can celebrate Talk Like a Pirate Day and the upcoming Mini Golf Day together.
September 20 – National Pepperoni Pizza Day
Pepperoni Pizza is the second most popular pizza in America, right after the fan favorite of plain cheese, and pepperoni is the most popular pizza topping.
It’s hard to go wrong with a slice of pizza, so whether you like your pizza stuffed crust, Chicago style, deep dish, or new york style, today is the day to add pepperoni to that order.
How to Celebrate
- Host a Pizza making party with your friends or family. Or consider starting a new fun tradition with the kids. Let them help mix the dough, roll it out and add their toppings.
- Today is the day to go out for pizza or call in for delivery. The goal for today is – Enjoy a slice of pizza!
September 21- Miniature Golf Day
Miniature golf is believed to have originated in Victorian Scotland.
At the time, women were not allowed to raise golf clubs above their heads, but rather than give up on golf completely, the Ladies’ Putting Club of St Andrews created a smaller version of the game in 1867.
However, it wasn’t until 1916 that the first miniature golf course opened in the US; the rest is history.
How to Celebrate
- Visit a new or loved miniature golf course.
- Create your own course at home for everyone to show their skills. Consider using a Miniature golf toy set or creating your own obstacles with things around the house.
September 22 – National Hobbit Day
It’s hard to believe the first movie installment of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy came out in 2001; for many of us, this was our first introduction to the shy but brave characters known as Hobbits.
But it was back in 1937 that the world was first introduced to J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic book “The Hobbit: There and Back Again.”
How to Celebrate
- Set your day aside to eat like a hobbit. Enjoy breakfast, second breakfast, elevensies, luncheon, afternoon tea, dinner, and supper. Bilbo was especially fond of second breakfast.
- Watch your favorite Hobbit movie.
- Read your favorite Hobbit book.
- In the spirit of Bilbo’s quest, go on an adventure or take a hike, but unless you have hobbit feet, I suggest you wear hiking boots.
September 23 – International Day of Sign Languages
The United Nations celebrate The International Day of Sign Languages every year on September 23 because the World Federation of the Deaf was founded on this day in 1951.
According to The World Federation of the Deaf, there are around 72 million deaf individuals worldwide. Around the world, there are over 300 different types of sign languages in use.
How to Celebrate
- Learn how to spell your name with the ASL alphabet
- Learn a few words or a phrase in Sign langage.
September 24 – National Bluebird of Happiness Day
Bluebirds have long been associated with happiness, luck, and joy. They are also known as symbols of love, good health, cheerfulness, and home.
In 1909 Maurice Maeterlinck published a fairy tale about the bluebird of happiness titled” the Blue Bird.”
How to Celebrate
- Go Birdwatching
- Give a gift of a bluebird charm to someone you love
- Put up a birdhouse or birdfeeder
- Make a birdfeeder with your kids
September 25 – National Comic Book Day
In 1842 the very first comic book, The Adventures of Mr. Obadiah Oldbuck, was created. Still, it wasn’t until 1938 that comic books became a significant industry that began The Golden Age of Comics.
How to Celebrate
- Pull out that box of old comics and re-read your favorites
- Head to your local comic book store and see what’s new
- Buy graphic novels for your kids.
- Watch your favorite movie inspired by a comic book
- Draw a personalized comic book to share.
September 26 – National Pancake Day
Pancakes are so adored in America that there are not one but two Pancake days.
How to Celebrate
- It doesn’t matter if it’s breakfast, lunch, or dinner; it’s time for pancakes!
- Consider trying new toppings such as Strawberry syrup, a homemade compote, or peanut butter.
- You can also check out some youtube videos and give pancake art a try.
- Go to your local diner or IHOP for your favorite stack of pancakes.
September 27 – National no Excuses Day
This blog focuses on making memories and today is your day.
National No Excuses Day was created for people to prioritize time for shared social experiences (i.e., fun) and to bring to light how often we make excuses to stay home instead of making memories.
How to celebrate- Go out and have fun! No excuses! Have work tomorrow? No excuse. Trying to save money? No excuse. In the hospital with a coma? Okay, that excuse is acceptable.
- Have a date night
- Go out with friends
- Find a new show or concert to see
- Play lawn games at a nearby park.
- Simply, Make a memory!
September 28 – National Good Neighbor Day
National Good Neighbor Day was created in the early 1970s by a woman named Becky Mattson.
In 1978 President Jimmy Carter called upon the people of the United States to observe National Good Neighbor Day with appropriate ceremonies and activities, understanding that love and respect will help build cohesive families and communities.
How to Celebrate
- Say hello to your neighbors (so many of us don’t know our neighbors’ names).
- Host a block party or BBQ.
- Help your neighbor carry their groceries.
- Bring your neighbor a store-bought or homemade treat.
September 29- Mutation Day (TMNT)
Mutation day, as in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, was created to observe the day of the ninja turtles and splinters mutations into the comic book and movie characters we all know and love.
How to Celebrate
With over ten movies (both live-action and animated), six series, and hundreds of comics (the medium that brought the Ninja Turtles to life), you can spend the entire day enjoying the mutants that have been around since 1984.
September 30 – Pet Tricks Day
Who says old dogs can’t learn new tricks? Today is your day to focus on your pet, whatever species they may be.
This holiday was created by a dog trick trainer who wanted to encourage people to spend more quality time with their pets.
How to Celebrate
- Watch a couple of Youtube videos to learn how to teach your pet some new tricks. Favorites include rollover, play catch, high fives, and play dead.
- Also, consider using treats made specifically to help teach your pet tricks.
If you didn’t find as many holidays for September as you were hoping, consider checking out National Today, and you will find many days have multiple holidays to choose from.
I chose the holidays I thought would be easiest for most families to celebrate and create memories.
So what holidays made your list? Was it National Teddy Bear Day, or perhaps it was Hobbit day?
Regardless of which days you choose, I hope you take this opportunity to create a new tradition in your life and for your family. One of these holidays could become a day your family looks forward to all year.
Were there any favorite silly holidays that we didn’t list? If so, leave them in the comments below.
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