Some of these National Holidays in April are based on traditions or religion, while others are bizarre or a bit unique. Even though we are stuck at home, there are lots of ideas to keep your family busy. Get creative and have fun celebrating these days!
Sometimes these “holidays” are celebrated more than once a year or are similar in nature. If we missed a day that you think should be on the list, comment below.
Scroll to the bottom to see a list of holidays that are celebrated all month in April.
Also, our April Guide has a different spin this month. You’ll find lots of ideas to keep the family entertained such as outdoor activities, at-home workouts, virtual field trips, books, podcasts, indoor entertainment, what Columbus businesses are offering online classes or activities and more!
National Holidays in April
April 1
April Fools’ Day
National Walking Day
- Although not all of the options are available at the Metro Parks (ex. no playground use) here’s an overview of some Central Ohio Metro Parks to visit.
April 2
National Burrito Day
- Make burritos at home or get takeout from a local restaurant such as Condado, El Vaquero or Habaneros.
National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day
- Make a PB&J sandwich! Support a local business, Crazy Richards and pick up one of their products at the store.
World Autism Awareness Day
- Wear blue to recognize people with autism. Read more on the Autism Speaks website or in this blog post.
April 3
National Find a Rainbow Day
National Chocolate Mousse Day
April 4
National Hug a Newsperson Day
- You can’t hug them this year but you can send them a nice message on social media.
National Handmade Day
- This year we aren’t able to leave our house to visit a local shop, but you can still check out the products from hand made artisans by visiting their online stores or social media pages. Some local handmade suggestions are: NatterDoodle, Red Giraffe Designs, Glean, The Smithery, and Buckeye Baby Beads.
April 5
National Deep Dish Pizza Day
- This post- National Deep Dish Pizza Day highlights a few Columbus pizza shops. Although you can’t in the restaurant, you could still order take out. Keep scrolling to the bottom of the post to find ideas on educational family-friendly activities you can do that involve pizza.
National Caramel Day
- Nothing like deep dish pizza for dinner and caramel for dessert! Here’s a recipe for Homemade Salted Caramel and a bunch of ideas for what you eat with the salted caramel.
National Read a Roadmap Day
- Now that many cars and phones are equipped with GPS, reading maps isn’t very common. But, break out a road map and teach the kids how to use it. Here are some other ideas for National Read a Roadmap Day.
Geologists Day
- Learn a bit about geology by going on a rock hunt around the neighborhood. Observe the rocks that you find and discuss the color, luster, size, weight, and hardness.
- For an art project with rocks, you could design Kindness Rocks.
- Go on Geology for Kids for games, experiments, videos and more.
April 6
National Caramel Popcorn Day
- Add some caramel to your popcorn for family movie night. Need some ideas on shows to watch? Check out this list of movies on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu and Disney +: Movies
April 7
National Beer Day
- Although you can’t visit a local brewery this year, you can still crack open a can at home. Some local breweries to try are: Columbus Brewing Company, Land-Grant Brewing Company (has delivery and drive-thru available now for canned beer), Platform Beer Company (beer delivery to limited locations), Seven Sons Brewing (has delivery), BrewDog and Wolf’s Ridge Brewing (delivery available.)
World Health Day
National No Housework Day
April 8
National Empanada Day
- This recipe delivers all the food groups in one package, discreetly mixing in healthy vegetables, fruits, and fats (olive oil). Empanada Recipe
Passover
- Here are ideas for Engaging Kids at the Passover Seder
National Zoo Lovers Day
- Explore a zoo from home: Virtual Zoo Trips
- This zoo scavenger hunt will give the kids something to focus on while watching the various animal cams.
April 9
National Unicorn Day
- Celebrate by making colorful treats or unicorn crafts.
April 10
Good Friday
Day of Silence
National Hug Your Dog Day
- Hugging releases oxytocin which is good for you and your pup. Show your dog some love and affection today. Here’s a related article: How Having a Baby Changes Your Relationship With Your Dog
National Siblings Day
- Call or Zoom your sibling and let them know how much they mean to you. Check out this post: Sisters Make the Best of Friends
April 11
National Pet Day
April 12
Easter
- Here are 30 Non-Candy Easter Basket Ideas you can put together. Or, local businesses such as Cub Shrub are putting together baskets for sale.
National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day
- There seems to be no true consensus on just how to make the perfect grilled cheese so take a look at these different grilled cheese recipes.
April 13
National Make Lunch Count Day
- Make a decadent lunch or find a creative place to eat for today.
National Scrabble Day
- Get out the board game or download one of the Scrabble apps.
April 14
National Look up at the Sky Day
April 15
National Laundry Day
- Doesn’t that feel like it is every day?!
Tax Day
- delayed this year
Titanic Remembrance Day
- Read an article geared towards kids, try to create a boat that floats (STEM activity), watch The Legend of the Titanic (this is the trailer below) or adults can watch the Oscar winner movie.
April 16
Wear Pajamas to Work Day
- With working at home, most of us have been doing this daily.
Save the Elephant Day
- Here are lots of ideas on how you can Help Elephants. (World Elephant Day is August 12 so that is another day devoted to these animals.)
- Read some elephant facts and learn more about these majestic creatures.
April 17
National Cheeseball Day
April 18
Husband Appreciation Day
- Has Your Love Language Changed Since Having Kids? Carve out some time and let your husband know how much he’s appreciated.
- 5 Date Night Ideas You Can Easily Do at Home
- Use these ideas for easy ways you can Show Him the Love!
April 19
National Garlic Day
National Hanging Out Day
- Use a clothesline to hang up your laundry for drying.
April 20
Chinese Language Day
- Read these facts about Chinese Language Day.
National Look-Alike-Day
- Coordinate your outfit with a family member. Find some stores and online shops that frequently sell matching clothes- Never Out of Style.
National Cheddar Fries Day
- Cheese fries are so yummy!
National Pineapple Upside Down Cake Day
April 21
National Kindergarten Day
- The first kindergarten started in Germany on this day. Check out these related posts: 5 Apps for Kindergarten Readiness, Why We Waited on Kindergarten, and Four Lessons I Learned From My Kindergarten Grad.
April 22
Administrative Professionals Day
- Send a card, email or text to the office staff to let them know you appreciate them and miss seeing them in person.
Earth Day
- 5 Ways to Help Kids Learn How to be Kind to Mother Earth
- Skip past the events in this post from last year and find the Earth Day Ideas you can do at home.
National Jelly Bean Day
- See how Jelly Belly’s candies are made and take a 360-degree tour of the factory.
Girl Scout Leader Day
- Use #GirlScoutLeaderDay on social media and thank a troop leader.
April 23
National Picnic Day
- Grab a blanket or towel and have a picnic in your backyard.
World Book Day
National Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day
- If you are working from home, then you will be participating in this one!
Ramadan
- Learn more about celebrating Ramadan with Kids.
April 24
National Arbor Day
National Pigs in a Blanket Day
National Teach Children to Save Day
- Teach your kids about the value of money and how to save it. Here are some Money Saving Tips for Kids from Credit Union of Ohio.
- 5 Ways You Can Empower Your Children to Learn About Money
- Remember, money is important but it can’t buy a lot of things. Make a list of your own or check out this post for ideas- 50 Things Money Can’t Buy.
April 25
National Telephone Day
- Make a string telephone or learn more about Alexander Graham Bell.
April 26
National Pretzel Day
April 27
National Prime Rib Day
Tell a Story Day
- Tell your children a story from your childhood. Pull out a scrapbook or old photos to spark a conversation.
April 28
National Superhero Day
- Dress like your favorite superhero. Remember not all superheroes wear capes!
April 29
International Dance Day
International Guide Dog Day
National Shrimp Scampi Day
April 30
International Jazz Day
National Poem in Your Pocket Day
- Write a poem or find a poem and stick it in your pocket to read to others. These websites have poems suitable for kids: Poetry4kids.com and Poets.org.
National Raisin Day
- Make ants on a log or oatmeal and raisin cookies.
National Hairstyle Appreciation Day
- If you’ve been wanting to try a new hairstyle, today might be the day to rock it.
- Chances are you have been cutting your own hair at home. That probably makes you miss and appreciate your hairstylist. Here are 10 Reasons Why Your Hairstylist is Your Best Friend.
Holidays in April to Celebrate All Month
Keep America Beautiful Month
- Go out and pick up some trash in your neighborhood.
Move More Month
Couple Appreciation Month
- Schedule an at-home date night with your partner.
National Decorating Month
National Garden Month
- Spring Yard Ideas (tips from a landscape architect)
- Gardening with Children
National Humor Month
- Need a good laugh? Our writing team has put together a list of some of our biggest Parenting “Fails”.
National Inventors Month
- Do a little biography research on someone. Ducksters is a good website for kids. There’s also the Who Was? series of books and they’ve also turned some of those into Netflix shows but I haven’t watched them yet.
National Pet Month
Stress Awareness Month
- Manage your stress by using these ideas: Simple Ways to Reduce Stress
National Poetry Month
- A local poet, Darren C. Demaree reads aloud poetry on the Youtube Channel Garden Bug Poetry.
