February may be the shortest month of the year, but the calendar is sprinkled with feel-good “national days” that are perfectly playful and easy to celebrate. Whether it’s a double scoop of rocky road for breakfast or finding a way to make someone else’s day, these cheerful commemorations are a great excuse to have some festive family fun.
February 1
Start the month off with Decorate with Candy Day! Maybe chocolate chips and M&Ms on pancakes for breakfast or make mini winter houses out of graham crackers and adorn them with Valentine’s candy.
February 2
We look forward to Groundhog Day every year! Pinterest has super-easy ideas for themed treats, and we love to read The Night Before Groundhog Day, then pull up the video of Punxsutawney Phil to see if we’re in for six more weeks of winter.
February 3
All you need is an empty toilet paper roll, seed butter, and birdseed to celebrate Feed the Birds Day. If you want to take it a step farther, queue up Migration for movie night.
February 4
This one couldn’t be easier, and it’ll take care of dinner, too. Celebrate National Homemade Soup Day with a warm, cozy bowl. Be sure to get the kids in on prep. Our house favorite is lasagna soup!
February 6
The first Friday of the month is a big one. Give Kids a Smile Day when you observe National Bubble Gum Day while dressed up for National Wear Red Day. Then, order takeout for National Chopsticks Day, and keep the party going with dessert because it’s also National Frozen Yogurt Day.
February 7
The first Saturday of every month is National Play Outside Day. Head to Oak Mountain for a family hike, take a stroll around your neighborhood, hit some tennis balls, or ride bikes—just enjoy being together…and burning off the sugar from Ice Cream for Breakfast Day.
February 8
Pull out the paper party plates—it’s Super Bowl Sunday and Super Chicken Wing Day! Genius. Pick a team to cheer for as a family.
February 9
National Pizza Day is self-explanatory. Make your own or pick a local joint to visit.
February 15-20
Hold a door, share a snack, or send a card to someone during Random Acts of Kindness Week.
February 17
Indulge in Fat Tuesday—hey, it’s better than celebrating National Cabbage Day—with king cake donuts from The Heavenly Donut Company.
February 20
Another fun Friday: National Comfy Day! Sounds like the perfect night for pjs and popcorn together.
February 24
What better way to observe Taco Tuesday than National Tortilla Chip Day? Sounds like queso for dinner!
February 26
It’s International Tongue Twister Contest Day. Say “a happy hippo hopped and hiccuped” five times!