Give your children a global perspective, promote diversity in your class, and build a rich multi-cultural curriculum by learning about the festivals of the world. Save time and teach better using NurtureStore’s ready-made world festival lesson plans and activities.
Why teach children about world festivals?
There are many reasons why children benefit from celebrating and learning about festivals.
:: Festivals are fun! They are about celebration and community, and include pretty decorations, delicious food, and fun parties. Taking part in festivals is good for our wellbeing and brings communities together.
:: Your children will become global citizens, knowledgable and welcoming of other cultures, religions, and countries.
:: You’ll create an inclusive feeling in your community, where all your children know they and everyone else belong and are valued.
:: Many other skills can be developed through our festivals units: we include math, science, literacy, art, craft, geography, history, fine motor skills, practical life skills, and more so your children are learning a robust set of skills, through happy, hands-on and creative lessons.
Lessons plans to teach festivals to children
Save this article because it’s so full of resources you’re going to want to come back to it again and again. And share it with your friends and coworkers so they can use the lesson plans too. They’ll thank you for it!
You can use our free festival lesson plans to lead a multi-cultural curriculum and teach your children about world festivals. Our lesson plans introduce children to each festival and include a wide range of cross-curricular activities including math, literacy, science and art.
Save time with ad-free printable units
Our festival guides are listed in alphabetical order. Use the links within each festival guide to see the full details of each lesson plan and activity. You can also save time and get an all-in-one solution by becoming a member of our Play Academy where you will get ad-free access to all these Units and many more as ready-made, printable, all-in-one teaching kits. See more details of the Play Academy and choose your first unit here.
Quick links to the alphabetical units
Scroll down to see our full list of festival lesson plans or use these quick links to find exactly what you’re looking for: Advent, Autumn Equinox, Black History Month, Bonfire Night, Chinese New Year, Christmas, Day of the Dead, Diwali, Earth Day, Easter, Halloween, Hanukkah, International Women’s Day, Juneteenth, Nativity, New Year’s Eve, Pancake Day (Shrove Tuesday), Pi Day, Pride, Ramadan, Remembrance Day (Veterans’ Day), Spring Equinox, Saint David’s Day, Saint George’s Day, Saint Patrick’s Day, Summer Solstice, Thanksgiving, Valentine’s Day, Winter Solstice, World Book Day, Vesak (Buddha Day)
Advent – November / December
See our full collection of Advent activities for children here which includes these Advent activities, crafts and more:
Free printable Christmas tree advent calendar
Join the festive countdown with these 24 easy advent activities for children complete with a free printable Christmas Tree Advent calendar.
Easy homemade Advent calendar
Here’s an easy homemade Advent calendar craft, made using our Christmas scented paint.
Advent candle printable for children
Use this Advent candle printable to make an easy Advent wreath craft to countdown to Christmas.
An easy to make homemade Advent wreath
Here’s how to make a homemade Advent wreath, for a candle-lit countdown to Christmas.
Christmas jokes for kids printable
Add giggles to your Christmas countdown with these printable Christmas jokes, perfect to pop in lunch bags or your Advent calendar.
Christmas Kindness Advent Calendar: an alternative Advent calendar printable
This free printable Christmas Kindness Advent calendar makes a great alternative Advent calendar, encouraging children to put others first and practice random acts of kindness all season long, at home, in school and in their community.
Autumn Equinox – September
Try these Autumn Equinox activities and crafts with your children:
What is the Autumn Equinox?
Learn about the Equinox and how it is celebrated
Autumn nature walk treasure hunt printable
Head out and explore the new season! Use this autumn nature walk treasure hunt printable as your fall nature spotters guide
Autumn leaf print crafts
A classic childhood craft – autumn leaf print art is a gorgeous now as it was when we were children. Here are some ideas to add some extra sensory dimensions, and craft ideas that make the most of your lovely leaf prints.
Leaf crown :: easy autumn craft for preschool
Celebrate the season in style with this easy autumn craft for forest school – make a leaf crown!
Beautiful homemade fall wreath art project
Make a beautiful leaf wreath for your Equinox celebration
How to make an autumn nature table with free printables
Use these ideas for an autumn nature table to create a fall discovery center with your children that invites them to explore the season with all their senses.
Apple crumble recipe
Here’s a lovely recipe for autumn that gives children a chance to try out some hands-on math and practical skills.
Save time and teach better by using our Autumn Equinox ready-made Five Day Unit. You’ll get a complete week of lesson plans to learn about this festival and a collection of activities, arts, and crafts all planned for you: instant download, printables included, no prep needed, and all ad free. See more details of our Autumn Equinox Unit and join the Play Academy to access this and all our 50+ ready-made teaching units.
Black History Month – US: February UK: October
Try these Black History Month activities and crafts with your children:
What is Black History Month?
Use these creative lesson plans for Black History month and throughout the year to create an inclusive curriculum for your children.
Skin colour lesson for children
Celebrate diversity, and learn about adjectives, with this skin colour lesson for children which is perfect for an All About Me theme or a diversity art lesson or as part of your Black History Month lesson plans.
Clementine Hunter black art history lesson for children
In this famous art lesson for children we will learn about the art of Clementine Hunter and take inspiration from her work to create our own day-in-the-life art project.
Rosa Parks lesson plan with free printable bus book
Use this lesson plan about Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott to introduce your children to Rosa Parks and the civil rights movement in America. It includes discussion questions and a free printable you can use to create a Rosa Parks Bus Book.
Esther Mahlangu African art lesson for children
In this famous artist lesson children will meet Esther Mahlangu and learn about African art. We’ll learn about Ndebele culture and create our own Esther Mahlangu-inspired art.
Gee’s Bend quilters art lesson
Let’s learn about the quilters of Gee’s Bend, Alabama and try our own simple quilt project. This is a bright and bold art history lesson which is a perfect addition to art lessons for Black History Month, and as part of a curriculum of art lessons for children inspired by famous artists.
Save time and teach better by using our Black History Month ready-made Five Day Unit. You’ll get a complete week of lesson plans to learn about this festival and a collection of activities, arts, and crafts all planned for you: instant download, printables included, no prep needed, and all ad free. See more details of our Black History Month Unit and join the Play Academy to access this and all our 50+ ready-made teaching units.
Bonfire Night – 5th November
See our full collection of Bonfire Night crafts and recipes for children here which includes these Bonfire Night activities, crafts and more:
Catherine Wheel firework craft
Make a Catherine Wheel firework craft that really spins.
Exploding firework craft
A fun firework craft that really ‘explodes’.
Handprint firework painting
Go big and make a firework painting using handprints.
Firework scratch art
A less messy option, make a scratch art firework picture.
Easy firework printing
Make a firework picture using a printing technique.
How to make edible sparklers
Make edible sparkles using chocolate finger biscuits or breadsticks.
Firework biscuits
An easy recipe to make biscuits with firework decorations.
Chinese New Year – January / February
See our full collection of Chinese New Year activities for children here which includes these Christmas activities, crafts and more:
What is the Chinese New Year?
Here’s our guide on how to celebrate Chinese New Year with children.
The best children’s books about Chinese New Year
Here’s our guide to the best children’s books about Chinese New Year with ideas for activities to bring them to life for your children.
How to make Chinese lanterns
Two pretty ways to make easy Chinese lanterns.
Easy dragon crafts for Chinese New Year
Let’s learn about the meaning of the Chinese dragon and make one of our easy dragon crafts for Chinese New Year.
Chinese New Year sensory play activities
Here’s a great collection of Chinese New Year sensory play activities.
:: Save time and teach better by using our Chinese New Year ready-made Five Day Unit. You’ll get a complete week of lesson plans to learn about this festival and a collection of activities, arts, and crafts all planned for you: instant download, printables included, no prep needed, and all ad free. See more details of our Chinese New Year Unit and join the Play Academy to access this and all our 50+ ready-made teaching units.
Christmas – December 25th
See our full collection of Christmas activities for children here which includes these Christmas activities, crafts and more:
30 free Christmas activities for children that cost nothing
Save money this Christmas and have fun as a family using NurtureStore’s free Christmas activities for children. With 30 ideas for easy Christmas crafts and activities, we’ve got everything you need to keep your kids entertained for free this Christmas.
Nativity activities for children
Use our collection of Nativity activities for children to teach the Christian festival of Christmas. You’ll find a wide selection of read-made Nativity lesson plans, Christmas crafts, and ideas to celebrate Advent with your children.
Christmas art lessons
Try these Christmas art lessons for children featuring famous artists, interesting art techniques, and seasonal motifs.
Ten days of Christmas art baubles
Join NurtureStore for ten days of fun art lessons to make a set of Art Baubles to decorate your Christmas tree! You’ll also learn about famous artists and try out ten cool art techniques.
Christmas craft activities
Easy Christmas crafts for children for all ages that are fun, creative and use only basic craft materials.
Christmas literacy activities
Here’s a great collection of Christmas literacy activities and printables to build reading, writing, spelling and storytelling skills.
Christmas math activities
Learn how to use math centers to manage your classroom and try these Christmas math centers and free printables.
Secular activities for the holidays
This collection of non-religious children’s activities for the holidays is great for those wanting ideas for a secular winter celebration.
Christmas sensory play activities
Here’s our collection of Christmas sensory play activities and recipes to enjoy.
Christmas fine motor skill finger gyms
Here’s a great collection of Christmas-themed finger gyms and fine motor skills activities to strengthen hands, wrists and fingers.
Christmas recipes for children
Great ideas for easy Christmas baking, homemade foodie gifts for family and neighbours, and festive snacks kids can make themselves.
Day of the Dead – November 1st and 2nd
See our full collection of Day of the Dead activities for children here which includes these Day of the Dead activities, crafts and more:
Day of the Dead art project collage skull
This easy collage art project invites children to learn about the Day of the Dead as they create their own sugar skull craft.
Easy Day of the Dead skull scratch art project
This scratch art technique it the perfect easy Day of the Dead skull art project.
Day of the Dead sensory play activity
ave fun and build fine motor skills with a Day of the Dead-themed sensory play activity using sugar skull play dough.
Day of the Dead printable alphabet literacy activities
Here’s a Day of the Dead-themed alphabet printable with ideas for Day of the Dead literacy activities.
My Ancestor family tree lesson plan
This ‘My Ancestor’ family tree lesson plan printable will guide you through an exploration of family, culture and community. It is a great lesson to include as part of an ‘All About Me’ topic or Day of the Day of the Dead unit.
Save time and teach better by using our Day of the Dead ready-made unit. You’ll get a complete set of lesson plans to learn about this festival and a collection of activities, arts, and crafts all planned for you: instant download, printables included, no prep needed, and all ad free. See more details of our Day of the Dead Unit here.
Diwali – October / November
See our full collection of Diwali activities for children here which includes these Diwali activities, crafts and more:
What is Diwali? for children
Learn about the Indian festival of lights with this simple guide to Diwali for children.
The story of Rama and Sita
Use these resources to learn about the story of Rama and Sita
Rangoli crafts and art lessons
Learn about rangoli, the traditional decorations of the Indian festival of Diwali and try your own rangoli art project.
Printable rangoli design templates for children to colour in
You can use these free printable rangoli design templates as colouring pages, stencils for chalk rangoli or as inspiration for your own rangoli designs.
Easy diya lamp crafts for Diwali
Learn about diya lamps and find out why they are linked to the festival of Diwali. Plus, try one of our easy diya crafts with your children.
Firework crafts for Diwali
Fun firework crafts, activities, and snack ideas that children can make.
Printable Rama and Sita puppets
Download this beautiful set of free, printable Rama and Sita puppets and enjoy these Diwali storytelling and imaginary play activities.
How to make a diya craft using clay
Learn how to make a diya lamp: an easy craft for Diwali using air drying clay and a pinch pot technique.
Paper plate diya craft with printable template
Here’s an easy diya lamp craft that children can make for Diwali, using our diya lamp printable or a paper plate.
Save time and teach better by using our Diwali ready-made Five Day Unit. You’ll get a complete week of lesson plans to learn about this festival and a collection of activities, arts, and crafts all planned for you: instant download, printables included, no prep needed, and all ad free. See more details of our Diwali Unit and join the Play Academy to access this and all our 50+ ready-made teaching units.
Earth Day – April 22nd
See our full collection of Earth Day activities for children here which includes these Earth Day activities, crafts and more:
Forest school art activities
Use these ready-made lesson plans for forest school art activities to take art outdoors and create art projects using natural materials.
Eight things children can do to save the planet
Everyone can do something to fight climate change and protect the environment. Here are eight easy, impactful things children can do to save the planet.
Sit spot mindfulness activity
Try this sit spot mindfulness activity for forest school with your children and encourage peace and connect with nature.
Save time and teach better by using our Earth Day ready-made Five Day Unit. You’ll get a complete week of lesson plans to learn about this festival and a collection of activities, arts, and crafts all planned for you: instant download, printables included, no prep needed, and all ad free. See more details of our Earth Day Unit and join the Play Academy to access this and all our 50+ ready-made teaching units.
Easter – March / April
See our full collection of Easter activities for children here which includes these Easter activities, crafts and more:
What are eggs?
In this egg lesson plan we’ll learn: what are eggs? what are eggs made of? and which animals hatch form eggs? You can watch a chick develop inside an egg and hatch, plus there’s a printable book about eggs that your children can complete.
Easter lamb and chick crafts
For this easy Easter craft we’re using collage materials to create chicks, eggs and lambs.
Paper plate Easter basket craft
This paper plate Easter basket craft is really simple to make, but ever so pretty, and each child can add their own art to the design.
Eggheads with cress hair
Turn eggs into eggheads with crazy hair!
Bouncing egg experiment
Here’s a super fun kids’ science experiment from the Tinkerlab book: we’re making eggs that bounce!
Save time and teach better by using our Easter ready-made Five Day Unit. You’ll get a complete week of lesson plans to learn about this festival and a collection of activities, arts, and crafts all planned for you: instant download, printables included, no prep needed, and all ad free. See more details of our Easter Unit and join the Play Academy to access this and all our 50+ ready-made teaching units.
Halloween – October 31st
See our full collection of Halloween activities for children here which includes these Halloween activities, crafts and more:
Easy pumpkin craft for scissor skills
Here’s a cute and easy pumpkin craft for preschool that is great for practising scissor skills.
Fine motor activity with pumpkins
This is a super fun and messy fine motor skill activity with pumpkins. It’s the perfect Halloween finger gym!
Pumpkin games
Quick to set up, lots of fun to play: try these pumpkin games for some seasonal maths and literacy practice.
Doodle-style easy pumpkin art lesson for kids
Here’s an easy pumpkin art lesson that anyone can try – we’re doodling!
Pumpkin fizzy science experiment for Halloween
In this Halloween science experiment we’re combining two simple ingredients to make a chemical reaction full of fizz. This is a great sensory play activity with an added fizzy science lesson.
Pumpkin marbling with shaving foam
Marbling with shaving foam is a fun art technique that’s easy to do and looks unique every time. Try it to make these gorgeous marble pumpkins for an easy Halloween art project for kids.
Halloween fine motor skill finger gym
This is the perfect fine motor skill finger gym for Halloween. We’re making play dough monsters!
What’s inside a pumpkin? investigation
Use this autumn and halloween science lesson to investigate what’s inside a pumpkin.
Easy pumpkin suncatcher craft
Here’s an easy pumpkin suncatcher craft that’s simple to make and so pretty. It’s a great, simple pumpkin craft for toddlers and preschoolers, and perfect for a group.
Splatter painting with pumpkin and bat templates
For a super fun Halloween art project try splatter painting with pumpkin and bat templates to create negative space silhouettes.
Spider spelling activity
This spider word printable brings a fun Halloween theme to your writing and spelling activities.
Halloween math activities
Before you eat all your trick-or-treat candies, let’s count, measure, estimate and graph them with these fun Halloween math activities.
8 easy science experiments using Halloween candy
These easy science experiments using candy are perfect for the day after Halloween trick or treating, or as part of a Willy Wonka themed party. Try one!
Save time and teach better by using our Halloween ready-made unit. You’ll get a complete set of lesson plans to learn about this festival and a collection of activities, arts, and crafts all planned for you: instant download, printables included, no prep needed, and all ad free. See more details of our Halloween Unit here.
Hanukkah – November / December
See our full collection of Hanukkah activities for children here which includes these Hanukkah activities, crafts and more:
What is Hanukkah? for children
Use this simple explanation of Hanukkah for children to begin learning about this Jewish festival.
Easy paper plate menorah craft
Here’s a fun Hanukkah craft to make with children: an easy paper plate menorah craft.
Easy dreidel craft
Here’s a fun and easy dreidel craft for preschool and toddlers. The dreidel is a spinning top used in a traditional game at the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.
Easy Hanukkah craft for kids – star suncatcher
Here’s a pretty and easy Hanukkah craft for little kids to make.
Easy 3D Star of David craft for Hanukkah
Use this math-meets-art lesson to create a beautiful 3D Star of David decoration for Hanukkah.
Children’s books about Hanukkah
Here’s a wonderful collection of children’s books about Hanukkah that teach the history and traditions of this Jewish festival.
Fun dreidel snack Hanukkah party food for kids
Here’s a fun Hanukkah-themed party food that children can make: dreidel snacks!
Save time and teach better by using our Hanukkah ready-made Unit. You’ll get a complete set of lesson plans to learn about this festival and a collection of activities, arts, and crafts all planned for you: instant download, printables included, no prep needed, and all ad free. See more details of our Happy Hanukkah Unit here.
International Women’s Day – March 8th
See our full collection of International Women’s Day activities for children here which includes these lesson plans, science experiments and art projects:
Talking about gender stereotypes with children
Use this lesson, part of our International Women’s Day Unit, to talk about gender stereotypes with your children and get them thinking about bias and fairness.
Female scientists lesson International Women’s Day activity
In this International Women’s Day lesson plan, introduce your children to famous female scientists and try a simple science experiment.
Greta Thunberg lesson plan for children
In this International Women’s Day lesson plan, introduce your children to teenage climate activist, Greta Thunberg and invite them to make their own pledge to take action on a matter that they are passionate about.
Inspiring Woman speaking & listening interview
In this lesson children can develop their spoken and listening skills by interviewing an inspiring woman they know.
Maria Prymachenko folk art lesson
In this famous female artist lesson for children, learn about Ukrainian folk artist Maria Prymachenko and create your own folk art inspired by her.
Save time and teach better by using our International Women’s Day ready-made Five Day Unit. You’ll get a complete week of lesson plans to learn about this festival and a collection of activities, arts, and crafts all planned for you: instant download, printables included, no prep needed, and all ad free. See more details of our International Women’s Day Unit and join the Play Academy to access this and all our 50+ ready-made teaching units.
Juneteenth – June 19th
Try these Juneteenth activities and crafts with your children:
How to teach children about Juneteenth
You can teach your children about Juneteenth and celebrate this federal holiday with them using these lesson plans and hands on activities.
Lift Every Voice and Sing lesson plan for children
For one of our Juneteenth activities, let’s learn about the Black national anthem with this Lift Every Voice and Sing lesson.
Easy homemade strawberry soda recipe kids can make
Let’s learn about the food eaten on Juneteenth and try this easy homemade strawberry soda recipe kids can make.
Juneteenth flag lesson plan
Let’s learn about the Juneteenth flag.
Augusta Savage art lesson plan for Juneteenth
Let’s learn about the famous African American artist Augusta Savage and make art inspired by her.
Save time and teach better by using our Juneteenth ready-made Five Day Unit. You’ll get a complete week of lesson plans to learn about this festival and a collection of activities, arts, and crafts all planned for you: instant download, printables included, no prep needed, and all ad free. See more details of our Juneteenth Unit and join the Play Academy to access this and all our 50+ ready-made teaching units.
Nativity – December / January
See our full collection of Nativity activities for children here which includes these Nativity activities, crafts and more:
The Nativity story for children
In this section of NurtureStore’s Nativity resources, children can learn about the story of the Nativity. They will meet the characters from the Christmas story and read verses from the Bible that tell the story. They can use printable puppets to re-tell the story and write their own Nativity book.
Free Printable Nativity set for children to colour and cut out
Use our free printable Nativity set for children to retell the Christmas story. Plus, use our extra resources to teach your children about the nativity and learn about the Christian festival of Christmas.
Simple Nativity Bible verses for children
Use these free printable Nativity story bible verses for children, to teach the Christian festival of Christmas.
Free printable Nativity storybook for children to complete
This free printable Nativity story book for children is a great way to add a literacy activity for Christmas, as your children write and draw along whilst listening to our simple read-aloud version of the Nativity story.
How to make a Nativity scene for children to play with
Use these ideas on how to set up a Nativity scene for your children to create an imaginary small world they can use to re-tell the Christmas story. Plus, use our colour-and-cut-out free printable Nativity character puppets to build your play area.
Nativity vocabulary printables
This simple Nativity printable helps you add reading, writing and storytelling to your Advent activities.
Save time and teach better by using our Nativity ready-made Five Day Unit. You’ll get a complete week of lesson plans to learn about this festival and a collection of activities, arts, and crafts all planned for you: instant download, printables included, no prep needed, and all ad free. See more details of our Nativity Unit and join the Play Academy to access this and all our 50+ ready-made teaching units.
New Year’s Eve – December 31st
See our full collection of New Year activities for children here which includes these New Year activities, crafts and more:
New Year Review questions printable for kids
Celebrate your child and mark their milestones! Use this set of printable New Year Review questions for kids to record what a year your child has had.
New Year Review and goal setting with kids printables
Goal setting with kids is a useful tool to connect, boost confidence and develop a life-long love of learning. You can use these simple New Year review printables with your children to close the past year and look forward to the new one.
Wishing Wand New Year craft for children
Here’s a lovely New Year craft for children that encourages them to think about their hopes and dreams for the year ahead: a magic wishing wand craft.
Happy New Year colouring page printable
Countdown to the celebration with this Happy New Year colouring page printable.
New Year’s Eve fireworks scratch art
Scratch art drawing is a great way to make a firework picture of the New Year’s Eve sky.
Draw your own calendar free printable for kids
Use this printable calendar colouring page to make a simple homemade calendar that’s absolutely unique to your child.
Seasonal nature study calendar
This nature study calendar is a beautiful math and art project that lets you follow the changes of the year, learning about the seasons and observing the natural world.
New Year’s Eve fizzy sensory play activity
Try this fizzy sensory play as your children count down to the new year.
Make a wish tree with New Year fairies
Ask the New Year Fairies to help you with your plans for the new year with this center-piece craft.
Resolutions with kids :: Word of the Year
Help your children set a word to guide them in the new year.
:: Save time and teach better by using our New Year’s Eve ready-made Five Day Unit. You’ll get a complete week of lesson plans to learn about this festival and a collection of activities, arts, and crafts all planned for you: instant download, printables included, no prep needed, and all ad free. See more details of our New Year’s Eve Unit and join the Play Academy to access this and all our 50+ ready-made teaching units.
Pancake Day / Shrove Tuesday – February / March
Try these Pancake Day activities and crafts with your children:
What is Shrove Tuesday?
Learn about this festival and how is it celebrated around the world
Shrove Tuesday activities
Role play, carnival makes and pancake recipe
Simple recipe sequencing lesson plan with printable recipe cards for kids
For a simple recipe for children, pancakes are perfect. You can use this free pancake recipe cards printable to work on practical kitchen skills, reading a recipe, and sequencing a set of simple instructions.
Pi Day – March 14th
Try these Pi Day activities and crafts with your children:
Celebrate Pi Day with kids
Wondering how to celebrate Pi Day and introduce Pi to kids? Make an apple Pi pie and try these other fun Pi activities.
Pride – June
Try these Pride Month activities and crafts with your children:
What is Pride?
Use this age-appropriate LGBTQ+ Pride lesson to introduce your children to Pride month and start a conversation about identity, inclusivity, and fairness for all.
Easy LGBTQ+ Pride craft for children
Make this easy LGBTQ+ Pride craft to explore identity and celebrate who your children are.
LGBTQ+ Pride flag lesson plan for children
Use this Pride flag lesson with your children as part of your LGBTQ+ Pride month activities.
Love is Love bookmarks
Pride book marks to colour in and share
Rainbow printables and activities
Turn your classroom into a rainbow with these printables, crafts and activities.
Keith Haring art lesson for children
Use this Keith Haring art lesson with your children as a Pride art lesson and to explore how art can be activism. It’s a quick and easy art lesson that only needs marker pens, making it accessible to everyone.
Save time and teach better by using our Pride ready-made Five Day Unit. You’ll get a complete week of lesson plans to learn about this festival and a collection of activities, arts, and crafts all planned for you: instant download, printables included, no prep needed, and all ad free. See more details of our Pride Unit and join the Play Academy to access this and all our 50+ ready-made teaching units.
Ramadan
Try these Ramadan activities and crafts with your children:
What is Ramadan?
In this lesson you’ll learn what Ramadan is and how Muslim families celebrate Ramadan. You’ll learn about the five pillars of Islam and how children can join in with the special month. You’ll find videos about Ramadan and Eid, and links to Ramadan crafts you can make.
Crescent moon and stars mobile Ramadan craft
Create a beautiful crescent moon and stars mobile with this free printable.
Islamic geometric art lesson for children
Let’s combine math and art to create a beautiful geometric art lesson inspired by Islamic art. We’ll be learning about symmetry and creating pictures that include squares, triangles, and repeating patterns.
Ramadan lantern craft with template
Here’s an ever-so-pretty, easy Ramadan lantern craft which comes with a printable lantern template.
Ramadan placemat printable
Use this free Ramadan placemat printable to decorate your iftar table.
Ramadan picture cards printable matching game
Print these Ramadan picture cards to learn about the important aspects of Ramadan, and to play a Ramadan-themed matching game.
Paper lanterns Ramadan craft
These paper lanterns combine an oil and water technique that my children love. They look so pretty hung across a room and are a great kids craft for Ramadan.
Paper plate moon and stars Ramadan craft
This paper plate moon and stars is a pretty but easy to make Ramadan craft for kids.
Save time and teach better by using our Ramadan ready-made Five Day Unit. You’ll get a complete week of lesson plans to learn about this festival and a collection of activities, arts, and crafts all planned for you: instant download, printables included, no prep needed, and all ad free. See more details of our Ramadan Unit and join the Play Academy to access this and all our 50+ ready-made teaching units.
Remembrance Day / Veterans’ Day – November 11th
Try this Remembrance Day activity with your children:
Poppy wreath Remembrance Day craft for children
Here’s an easy poppy craft that’s perfect for a Remembrance Day activity for children.
Spring Equinox – March
Try these Spring Equinox activities and crafts with your children:
What is the spring equinox?
Let’s learn about the seasons and celebrate the Spring Equinox with our children with this selection of spring lessons and crafts.
How to make a spring nature table
Use these resources to make a seasonal nature table or nature discovery centre that engages children in thinking, exploring and learning about spring.
Printable spring yoga routine for children
This spring yoga routine takes children through an easy yoga story, encouraging them to connect their imagination with their body and move through a series of simple yoga poses inspired by the spring.
Paper plate spring wreath
This paper plate spring wreath is great for toddlers and preschool. It’s easy to make and ever so pretty!
Daffodil dissection parts of a flower lesson
In this spring science lesson we’ll learn about the parts of a flower through a daffodil dissection experiment.
How to make a sensory spring writing tray
Use this DIY spring sensory writing tray and literacy ideas to give your spring writing centers a fun, hands-on twist.
Spring sensory play tub with carrots
This spring sensory play tub with carrots is great for a range of ages.
Save time and teach better by using our Spring Equinox ready-made Five Day Unit. You’ll get a complete week of lesson plans to learn about this festival and a collection of activities, arts, and crafts all planned for you: instant download, printables included, no prep needed, and all ad free. See more details of our Spring Equinox Unit and join the Play Academy to access this and all our 50+ ready-made teaching units.
Saint David’s Day – March 1st
Try these Saint David’s Day activities and crafts with your children:
Beautiful daffodil pinwheels
An easy craft for Saint David’s Day
Daffodil bunting
Here’s a beautiful, simple spring craft – daffodil bunting!
Daffodil art lesson :: still life painting for children
In this daffodil art lesson we will look at famous art featuring daffodils, learn about still life art, and create our own daffodil paintings.
Welsh cakes recipe
A traditional recipe that’s easy for children to make.
Saint George’s Day – April 23rd
Try these Saint George’s Day activities and crafts with your children:
Egg Box Dragon
How to make a simple dragon craft.
How to make dragon puppet
Make a dragon rod puppet using recyclables.
Dragon small world messy play
Enjoy storytelling and sensory play with this dragon small world.
Castle play dough play mat printable
Perfect for knights, kings and queens, princess and princesses, dragon fans, and if you’re learning about castles – print your castle play mat here.
Save time and teach better by using our Dragon ready-made Five Day Unit. You’ll get a complete week of lesson plans to learn about this festival and a collection of activities, arts, and crafts all planned for you: instant download, printables included, no prep needed, and all ad free. See more details of our Dragon Unit and join the Play Academy to access this and all our 50+ ready-made teaching units.
Saint Patrick’s Day – March 17th
Try these Saint Patrick’s Day activities and crafts with your children:
Leprechaun’s play dough
A homemade play dough recipe for leprechauns!
St. Patrick’s Day sensory play activities
Here’s a great collection of St. Patrick’s day sensory play activities for children to explore.
Gold coin math printable for St. Patrick’s Day
Use this gold coin math printable for hands-on math games.
Rainbow printables and activities
Turn your classroom into a rainbow with these printables, crafts and activities.
Summer Solstice – June
Try these Summer Solstice activities and crafts with your children:
What is the Summer Solstice?
Celebrate summer as a family with these summer solstice activities for children.
Sunshine sun catcher easy solstice craft – with sun template printable
Use this sun template printable to make a gorgeously easy sun craft to celebrate the solstice with children.
Midsummer messy play :: solstice sensory tub
Enjoying midsummer messy play with a sunshine sensory tub.
Sunshine mandala summer solstice coloring page printable
Colour, paint or doodle this sunshine mandala summer solstice printable and celebrate the turning of the year.
Sun weaving :: solstice crafts
Use ribbon and yarn to make a sunshine
Warm and cool colour theory art lesson for kids
Let’s explore warm and cool color theory and create a night and day art project with our children.
Save time and teach better by using our Summer Solstice ready-made Five Day Unit. You’ll get a complete week of lesson plans to learn about this festival and a collection of activities, arts, and crafts all planned for you: instant download, printables included, no prep needed, and all ad free. See more details of our Summer Solstice Unit and join the Play Academy to access this and all our 50+ ready-made teaching units.
Thanksgiving / Harvest – November
See our full collection of Thanksgiving activities for children here which includes these Thanksgiving activities, crafts and more:
Make a gratitude tree
Follow this easy guide on how to preserve leaves in wax and use them to make a beautiful gratitude tree.
Printable Thanksgiving placemat and gratitude journal page
Give thanks and decorate your table with this printable Thanksgiving placemat. It also makes a great gratitude journal page to count your blessings.
Gratitude prayer flags
Here’s a Thanksgiving craft for kids that’s fun to make, looks beautiful and sends out positive wishes to the world: Thanksgiving prayer flags.
Native American art lesson about petroglyphs
Learn about the Native American art practice of drawing and carving petroglyphs and try your own design.
Autumn leaf bookmarks
These autumn leaf bookmarks are a lovely autumn craft for children. They invite children to explore the shape and colour of autumn leaves, working with watercolour and adding patterns with white and black pen.
Thanksgiving colouring pages printable
A printable colouring page which doubles up as a place mat for a Thanksgiving dinner.
Save time and teach better by using our Thanksgiving ready-made Five Day Unit. You’ll get a complete week of lesson plans to learn about this festival and a collection of activities, arts, and crafts all planned for you: instant download, printables included, no prep needed, and all ad free. See more details of our Thanksgiving Unit and join the Play Academy to access this and all our 50+ ready-made teaching units.
Valentine’s Day – February 14th
See our full collection of Valentine’s Day activities for children here which includes these Valentine’s Day activities, crafts and more:
Easy Valentine’s Day crafts for children
Here’s a great collection of Valentine’s Day crafts for children that are easy to make and just use basic art supplies.
Talking about feelings – printable conversation starters
Talking about feelings with children helps them understand themselves and others. These printable conversation starters about feelings and relationships are gentle prompts to open up conversations that build connection and emotional intelligence.
Valentine’s Day writing prompt for children – free printable
This printable journal page for kids is great as a Valentine’s Day writing prompt, and you can use it any day you’d like to do some drawing and writing about who or what you love.
Valentine math station
This Valentine math station is packed full of ideas for math discovery and math games. And don’t miss the Valentine-themed literacy, art and science ideas featured at the end.
Printable heart matching and counting cards
These printable heart matching and counting cards are a fun Valentine’s math activity for children, helping them develop important math skills through play. Print your set and try these math activities.
Valentine pattern matching cards – free printable
Recognising patterns and things that match are vital skills for math and literacy. Find out why matching and sorting are so important, and use these free Valentine pattern matching cards to help your children develop these skills in a fun, hands-on way.
Printable Valentine journal page and Valentine placemat
Count your blessings! Use this free printable Valentine journal page and Valentine placemat to encourage children to know what they love and be grateful for it. A fun creative writing prompt for Valentine’s Day – or any day
Easy Valentine craft :: homemade heart mobile
This homemade wall hanging is a simple Valentine craft that is easy to make, beautiful, and unique.
Printable heart-shaped lacing cards
These pretty printable lacing cards make a gorgeously easy heart craft for Valentine’s Day
Upper lower case matching activity with free printable
Set up a fun Valentine-theme literacy center with these free printable upper and lower case matching letter cards.
Free printable heart-shaped alphabet cards
Here’s lovely set of free printable alphabet cards along with great ideas for how to use them to help teach your child to read.
Valentine play dough recipe
Here’s a really simple, no cook Valentine play dough recipe, along with some maths play ideas. If you’ve never made homemade dough before, give it a try!
How to make a Valentine sensory tub
It’s easy to make a Valentine sensory tub for your toddler or preschooler, using things you have around the house. Follow these four simple steps to give your child lots of opportunity for sensory play, maths and imaginary play.
Save time and teach better by using our Valentine’s Day ready-made Five Day Unit. You’ll get a complete week of lesson plans to learn about this festival and a collection of activities, arts, and crafts all planned for you: instant download, printables included, no prep needed, and all ad free. See more details of our Valentine’s Day Unit and join the Play Academy to access this and all our 50+ ready-made teaching units.
Winter Solstice – December
See our full collection of Winter Solstice activities for children here which includes these Winter Solstice activities, crafts and more:
What is the Winter Solstice?
Learn about the Winter Solstice and how it is celebrated.
Winter paper lantern craft project
Explore light and dark with this winter paper lantern craft, using cool colors to create a winter skyline or geometric design
Sunshine sun catcher easy solstice craft
Use this sun template printable to make a gorgeously easy sun craft to celebrate the solstice with children.
Super yummy, very easy Christmas biscuit recipe
This really is a super yummy, very easy Christmas biscuit recipe. They’re great for decorating a Solstice tree, giving as gifts, and eating yourself!
Forest school lesson plans for winter
Get great ideas for outdoor lessons and nature activities whatever the weather with these forest school lesson plans for winter.
How to make paper lanterns
How to make a paper lantern, using a simple willow frame.
Frosty winter pictures
Here’s a super art technique to try with kids that’s just right for winter months.
:: Save time and teach better by using our Winter Solstice ready-made Five Day Unit. You’ll get a complete week of lesson plans to learn about this festival and a collection of activities, arts, and crafts all planned for you: instant download, printables included, no prep needed, and all ad free. See more details of our Winter Solstice Unit and join the Play Academy to access this and all our 50+ ready-made teaching units.
World Book Day – March
Try these World Book Day activities and crafts with your children:
What is World Book Day?
Learn about World book Day and gt great ideas on how to celebrate.
Printable book club discussion questions for any book
Here’s a free printable set of children’s book discussion questions you can use for any book!
Printable bookmarks
Printable book marks to colour in share with your friends.
Non-fiction writing lesson plan and printable book template
Use the tips in this non-fiction writing lesson plan along with the free non-fiction book printable to build your own reference library.
Math activities for World Book Day
Don’t leave out the math activities for World Book Day! Use these book-themed math lessons to work right across the curriculum.
Save time and teach better by using our World Book Day ready-made Five Day Unit. You’ll get a complete week of lesson plans to learn about this festival and a collection of activities, arts, and crafts all planned for you: instant download, printables included, no prep needed, and all ad free. See more details of our World Book Day Unit and join the Play Academy to access this and all our 50+ ready-made teaching units.
Vesak / Buddha Day – May / June
Try these Vesak Buddha activities and crafts with your children:
What is Vesak?
Learn about the festival and how it is celebrated.
Easy mandala designs for children
Beautiful mandala crafts for children, using simple mandala designs and a wide variety of materials.
Sit spot mindful forest school activity
Try this sit spot mindfulness activity with your children and encourage peace and connection with nature.
Do you have a winter, equinox crafts and activities offering?
Thank you, Emily
Hi Emily. Do you mean the winter solstice? You can find them here.