October is a Harvest of Holidays, Celebrate by Reading a Book

October 23, 2020

October is a Harvest of Holidays, Celebrate by Reading a Book

The month of October is often filled with trips to pumpkin patches, apple picking and maybe even hayrides. For many families and their kids, October also means Halloween and preparing for a night of trick-or-treating, costumes…and candy! October, though, features a full harvest of holidays. In fact, every day of October is marked with a unique holiday.

To commemorate all the holidays during this cool month of autumn, celebrate with a book! The site National Today lists every holiday associated with October; we have included a holiday for every day of this month, as well as some book recommendations to keep your kids reading and learning about each holiday! National Today includes multiple holidays for each day, and, for brevity sake, we chose the most kid-appropriate festivities.

October 1: National Fire Pup Day

Find a book all about Dalmatians, the white dog with lots of black spots that is synonymous with firefighters. Find out why this dog came to be associated with fire protection and learn more about other breeds that assist firefighters every day.

October 2: National Smile Day

Ask your child what makes them happy…and find a book that makes them smile!

October 3: National Poetry Day

To celebrate National Poetry Day (a holiday in the U.K.), seek out children’s poets and books of poetry. One of the best poets for kids? Shel Silverstein! Parents also can introduce their kids to poets like Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, or Langston Hughes.

October 4: World Animal Day

Have your child read about their favorite animal and learn about animal welfare. Find books about what this animal eats, where they live and their daily habits.

October 5: National Child Health Day

Today, find books all about health and how to stay healthy. Help your child learn about the importance of the foods they eat and how exercise helps our body. This may be a good day to even look at books on bones and the body’s internal systems.

October is a Harvest of Holidays, Celebrate by Reading a Book

October 6: National Mad Hatter Day

Who was the Mad Hatter? Why was he mad? Find books on Alice, her adventures and, of course, the Mad Hatter.

October 7: National Frappe Day

Yes, National Frappe Day is the only holiday on October 7. Parents don’t have to educate kids on this sweet drink, but they can use today to find books all about different cultural food and drinks. Frappes are actually a Greek beverage.

October 8: National Depression Screening Day

It’s never too early to talk to a child about mental health—especially during a pandemic. To open up the discussion, read books about emotions and how it’s ok—and healthy—to express them.

October 9: World Post Day

This day marks a celebration of “…the anniversary of the establishment of the Universal Postal Union in 1874 in the Swiss Capital, Bern.” The holiday is marked around the world, though. Read books about the postal service in the U.S.

October 10: National Cake Decorating Day

Recipes are a great way to practice reading…and reading comprehension. Bake a cake and decorate it any way you like today!

October 11: National Sausage Pizza Day

Love sausage pizza? Bake one up today and read books about pizza!

October 12: Columbus Day

Read books about Christopher Columbus and talk to kids about this holiday.

October 13: Navy Birthday

What is the Navy? Read all about this sector of the U.S. military and its role in the protection of our country.

October is a Harvest of Holidays, Celebrate by Reading a Book

October 14: National Fossil Day

This is the day to grab up books about dinosaurs and prehistoric eras. Learn about how fossils form, the different types of fossils and how these pieces of history are dated.

October 15: Global Handwashing Day

Celebrate—and read about—good hygiene! While not many books may have plots about hand washing, kids can read about different types of bacteria and organisms. Yucky!

October 16: Global Cat Day

This day is about protecting cats—especially outdoor or feral cats. Children can read a book about cats today.

October 17: Sweetest Day

Read all about the sweetest desserts, candies and confections in different countries. Your child may want to find books on their favorite candy or dessert. Maybe eat some sweets to celebrate!

October is a Harvest of Holidays

October 18: National Chocolate Cupcake Day

Get baking, and read recipes today! Celebrate National Chocolate Cupcake Day by baking up chocolate cupcakes.

October 19: National New Friends Day

Read books about friendships and how to be a good friend.

October 20: National Day on Writing

Today, instead of reading, encourage your child to write their own book or story.

October 21: National Reptile Awareness Day

Read a book about a favorite reptile. This is the day to read all about snakes, lizards and turtles/tortoises and the issues facing these creatures.

October 22: National Nut Day

The nuttiest of holidays! Read books all about nuts; there are plenty of children’s books with nuts. Some even have furry, fuzzy, cute squirrels as the main character!

October is a Harvest of Holidays, Celebrate by Reading a Book

October 23: National Mole Day

This isn’t a day celebrating the animal, but, rather, the number! Learn all about Avogadro’s number and the meaning of the mole.  

October 24: National Bologna Day

What is in that famous lunch meat? Learn all about the humble meat!

October 25: National Art Day

Encourage your child to read about a favorite artist or to learn about art techniques, paintings or sculptures. You can also celebrate by encouraging your child to create their own work of art!

October is a Harvest of Holidays, Celebrate by Reading a Book

October 26: National Pumpkin Day

Read books about pumpkins today! You may even carve the family pumpkin to celebrate this festival fall holiday.

October 27: National Black Cat Day

Read about the myths and superstitions associated with this cat.

October 28: National Immigrants Day

Did your family immigrate to the United States? Many did. Learn about immigration, and the first immigrants.

October 29: National Internet Day

Read all about the internet and how this online world came to exist.

October 30: National Candy Corn Day

Who invented candy corn? Find out today. And maybe make some candy corn crafts!

October 31: Halloween

Read books all about this spooky and fun holiday! You can even use a Halloween theme for reading rewards this month.

This month, your child may be anticipating the candy, costumes and fun of Halloween, but there is so much more to celebrate. Read a book to commemorate all the wild and fun holidays throughout October. Visit National Today to learn about other holidays throughout the month that we couldn’t include. Happy October!