7 Labor Day activities for kids
Kids generally like Labor Day because they̵7;re off school. But do they know what they̵7;re celebrating every first Monday in September? Sure, we can explain how it̵7;s the holiday dedicated to American workers, their contributions and their achievements. However, there might be a better, more hands-on way to teach them about this important day.
It̵7;s easy to whip up your very own Labor Day for kids lessons. Help children, tweens and teens learn the importance of the holiday in super-fun ways with these ideas for Labor Day activities for kids.
1. Write thank-you letters
Labor Day celebrates the labor movement and workers here in our great country. Even little ones can thank our nation’s hardest workers during this holiday weekend. Help your child write a thank-you card to a dedicated worker they admire and then deliver it by hand or by mail.
2. Deliver goodies with gratitude
Deliver a box, basket or tray of delicious goodies to workers in your community who don’t get the holiday weekend off. Order from a bakery or bake your own goods at home. Then deliver them to your local post office, fire station or police department.
3. Make footprint vehicles
Ask the kids to think of some of the vehicles our nation’s workers use to do their jobs. Whether they choose firetrucks, school busses, tractors, army tanks or police cars, turn this exercise into a fun activity using this Labor Day footprint craft idea from Craft + Boogie. Paint the bottom of your child̵7;s foot with washable paint and help them make a footprint on a piece of paper. Give them markers, crayons and stickers to help them turn their footprint into their favorite worker vehicle. So cute!
4. Create a career mobile
A career mobile is a great way to teach kids about possible career options while also celebrating respected professions. Buy or make a hanging photo mobile, and have the kids add photos of American workers. Go through magazines, catalogs, brochures, newspapers and other publications and cut out photos of workers — from garbage collectors and business people to nurses and school teachers.
Ask the children to reflect upon what they want to be when they grow up — place their dream career in the center and hang other options off to the sides.
Where to buy: Copper Mobile Photo Clip ($14, Kikkerland)
5. Have a sing-a-long with friends
Rally the kids and lead them in an epic American sing-along to celebrate our country and its amazing workers.
Make a playlist complete with songs like:
- The National Anthem (of course).
- ̶0;She Works Hard for the Money̶1; by Donna Summer.
- ̶0;Living in America̶1; by James Brown.
- ̶0;Working for the Weekend̶1; by Loverboy.
- ̶0;9 to 5̶1; by Dolly Parton.
- ̶0;Caught Up̶1; by John Legend.
- ̶0;9 to 5 (Morning Train)̶1; by Sheena Easton.
- ̶0;A Hard Day̵7;s Night̶1; by The Beatles.
- ̶0;Work Hard, Play Harder̶1; by Gretchen Wilson.
- ̶0;Work It̶1; by Missy Elliott.
Be sure to have a portable or loud speaker on hand and print out lyrics for the children to follow along. Don’t be alarmed if the gathering turns into a full-fledged dance party!
6. Enjoy patriotic snacks
Creating delicious summer snacks with an American twist is a great way to boost your child̵7;s patriotic pride and keep their tummies full. Make patriotic fruit skewers — use kebab skewers to stab through banana slices, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and watermelon. Dip the fruit skewers in a marshmallow cream for a special treat!
Another fun option is watermelon popsicles. Simply cut the fruit into small triangle slices and stick a popsicle stick through the rind. Serve them on blue napkins.
7. Organize a (physically distanced) neighborhood gathering
Your (physically distanced) Labor Day block party plans can include:
- Asking adults on the block to share with all the kids about the unique jobs they do for a living.
- Decorating yards with balloons and streamers.
- Enjoying a typical American BBQ foods like burgers and hot dogs.
- Getting out the bikes, scooters and roller skates for kids̵7; play.
- Having a donation jar on someone̵7;s porch — donate proceeds to your preferred American foundation.
With these fun activities, kids can find a new meaning in Labor Day that doesn’t revolve around a day off and the official launch into a new school year.
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