August Holidays to Celebrate

Updated 7/31/2026

Looking for fun August holidays to celebrate? You’re in the right place! August often means one thing: back-to-school season. For some, it’s a total drag. For others, it’s the most wonderful time of the year!

If the thought of heading back to someone else’s schedule has you feeling less than excited, you might enjoy my post, Thinking of Homeschooling – Are You Crazy?. It offers a different perspective on education—and who knows? You just might decide the “crazy” option makes the most sense after all.

But enough of that—let’s get to the fun stuff! August is packed with fun holidays to celebrate. From coloring books, s’mores, sand, and roller coasters to toilet paper (yes, really!), there’s something delightfully quirky happening almost every day. You’ll also find notable birthdays throughout the month honoring people who have made a lasting impact.

Keep your month organized and full of fun with a free printable featuring every day to celebrate, plus space for your own ideas, resources, and supplies. Delivered straight to your inbox—grab the current month’s printable and start planning today!

Below, you’ll find a variety of ideas that pair perfectly with August’s quirky and meaningful holidays. Pick a few to celebrate each week, or go all in! They’re perfect for adding sparkle to the final stretch of summer. Cue the confetti, let’s celebrate August!

This post contains affiliate links. Please see my disclosure page for more information.

August Holidays – Week 1

• 8/1 National Pinball Day – Did you know pinball was banned in many U.S. cities for nearly 40 years? It’s true! There are so many fun facts to discover about this classic game, from its history to the science behind how it works. If you get the chance to visit a pinball museum, go for it! We visited the Roanoke Pinball Museum when our kids were teens, and it was such a cool experience. It’s a fun way to explore history, engineering, and a little friendly competition!
• 8/2 National Coloring Book Day – I have quite the collection of coloring books, so I’m glad they made a comeback in recent years! Coloring is a relaxing, creative activity with benefits for all ages. Pull out your favorite coloring book, print pages to go with your current homeschool topic, or create your own illustrations inspired by a favorite book, nature study, or history lesson.
• 8/3 National Watermelon Day – Have you ever seen a watermelon explode? Today’s the perfect excuse to find out! Try this fun experiment and learn about physics, forces, and flying fruit along the way.
• 8/4 Hooray for Kids Day – Celebrate Hooray for Kids Day by soaking in the wonder, joy, and boundless energy the children in your life bring to the world! Let them choose the day’s activities, teach the family a favorite skill, or spend extra time doing something they love.
• 8/5 National Blogger Day – As a homeschool blogger, I may be a little biased, but I think blogging is a wonderful way to share ideas and encourage others! Encourage your tween or teen to write a blog-style post about something they love. It’s a fun way to practice writing while sharing their unique interests and ideas.
• 8/6 International Scuba Day – Dive into the amazing world beneath the waves! Learn about ocean habitats, marine animals, or famous scuba explorers. Even if you can’t get underwater, a nature documentary or virtual aquarium tour makes for a fun family adventure.
• 8/7 National Lighthouse Day – I’ve had the opportunity to climb the steps of three lighthouses, and there’s nothing like reaching the top after that long spiral staircase! If a lighthouse visit isn’t in the cards for you, research a famous lighthouse, learn how they guided ships safely to shore, or see if there’s one within driving distance to add to your family’s adventure list.
• 8/8 National Bowling Day & National Pickleball Day – Get the whole family moving with a game of bowling or pickleball! Keep score by hand for a little extra math practice, or organize a friendly family tournament.

August Holidays – Week 2

• 8/9 National Book Lover’s Day – You knew I couldn’t let this day pass without celebrating books! I’ve been helping families discover great books through PaperPie for over 16 years, so if you’re ever looking for recommendations, I’m your girl! Today, curl up with a favorite read, visit your local library, or explore a new genre together.
• 8/10 National S’mores Day – Enjoy the sweetness of summer any time of year with a flameless s’mores maker—no campfire required! Want to get the kids involved? Create a s’mores charcuterie board and let everyone design their own delicious combination. It’s a fun way to practice creativity, planning, and (of course) enjoy a tasty treat together!
• 8/11 Play in the Sand Day – From building castles with moats to practicing handwriting with a stick or seashell, sand is the ultimate sensory tool! (Just don’t tell my husband—I don’t think he’ll ever love sand as much as I do.) No beach nearby? No problem! Kinetic Sand is a fantastic indoor alternative that brings all the fun with a lot less mess.
• 8/12 World Calligraphy Day – Slow down and enjoy the art of beautiful handwriting. Learn a few basic calligraphy strokes, write an encouraging quote, or create handmade cards. It’s a creative way to practice patience and fine motor skills.
• 8/13 International Left Hander’s Day – Did you know that about 10–12% of the world’s population is left-handed? Throughout history, left-handed people have faced some pretty strange stereotypes—even being considered unlucky or associated with evil. The word “sinister” actually comes from the Latin word for left. Crazy, huh? Celebrate today by discovering more fun facts about lefties and learning about famous left-handed people throughout history!
• 8/14 World Lizard Day – Lizards are fascinating creatures with incredible adaptations! Research a favorite species, discover how they survive in different habitats, or head outside to see if you can spot one in the wild.
• 8/15 International Geocaching Day – I’ve been an occasional geocacher for years, and it’s hands-down one of the best treasure hunts around! The best part? You can find geocaches almost anywhere. Grab the app, gather your family, and start exploring—you never know what surprises you’ll uncover! Check out the Beginner’s Guide to Geocaching to learn how it works!

August Holidays – Week 3

• 8/16 National Roller Coaster Day – Are you a roller coaster fan or someone who prefers to keep your feet firmly on the ground? Either way, there’s plenty to learn about these thrilling rides! Explore the history of roller coasters, learn about the engineering behind them, or design your own coaster using paper, cardboard, or a marble run.
• 8/17 National #2 Pencil Day – Homeschoolers know not all pencils are created equal! If you’re a fan of Ticonderoga pencils, you already understand why they’re a favorite. Celebrate today by sharpening a fresh pencil, writing a story, sketching something from nature, or simply appreciating one of the most useful homeschool supplies ever invented.
• 8/18 National Bad Poetry Day – Not every poem has to be a masterpiece—that’s the whole point of National Bad Poetry Day! Have fun writing the silliest or most ridiculous poem you can imagine – and if your teen claims to hate poetry, don’t worry—I have a few tricks up my sleeve. Check out Poetry Ideas for Teens Who Hate It and see if you can change their mind.
• 8/19 National Aviation Day – Take learning to new heights! Explore the history of flight, research famous aviators, or learn about the science that keeps airplanes in the sky. You can even design and test paper airplanes to see which creation flies the farthest.
• 8/20 International Hawaiian Pizza Day – Love it or hate it, Hawaiian pizza definitely sparks conversation! Celebrate with a taste test, make your own pizza creations, or research how this unique combination of ham and pineapple became a worldwide favorite. (I love it, by the way)!
• 8/21 National Kool-Aid Day – This colorful drink is a fun way to mix learning and a little nostalgia. Try a taste test with different flavors, create a graph of family favorites, or explore the science behind dissolving, mixtures, and solutions.
• 8/22 Folklore Day – Every culture has stories worth sharing! Celebrate by exploring myths, legends, fairy tales, or family stories from around the world. Read a favorite folktale, compare stories from different cultures, or create a legend of your own.

August Holidays – Week 4

• 8/23 National Ride the Wind Day – Take advantage of a breezy day by flying a kite, watching the clouds drift by, or learning how wind powers everything from sailboats to wind turbines. It’s the perfect excuse to get outside and let nature do the entertaining!
• 8/24 Can Opener Day – Here’s a fun bit of trivia: cans existed for nearly 50 years before someone invented the can opener! Can you imagine opening canned food back then? Celebrate by learning about this clever invention, then put one to good use by preparing a simple meal or snack together. Be sure to check out the fascinating story behind the can opener—you’ll never look at this everyday kitchen tool the same way again!
• 8/25 National Banana Split Day – Turn dessert into a history lesson! Discover who invented the banana split and why it became an American favorite, then celebrate by building your own delicious creation. It’s the perfect blend of learning and fun.
• 8/26 National Toilet Paper Day – Yes, there’s really a day for toilet paper! Discover the surprisingly fascinating history of this everyday essential—and how people managed long before it was invented. Then see if your family can build the tallest tower using only toilet paper rolls. Be sure to check out the history of toilet paper for some fun (and sometimes unbelievable!) facts.
• 8/27 World Rock, Paper, Scissors Day – Rock, Paper, Scissors is considered one of the oldest hand games in the world—and honestly, I still don’t get it! Challenge your family to a tournament and see who comes out on top. Maybe someone can finally explain the strategy to me!
• 8/28 National Bow Tie Day – Bow ties aren’t just fashionable—they have a fascinating history! Learn how to tie one, discover famous people known for wearing bow ties, or create your own colorful paper bow tie to wear for the day.
• 8/29 According to Hoyle Day – I didn’t know there was such a thing as “according to Hoyle” until I came across this holiday! It simply means following the official rules of a game. Learn the interesting story behind the phrase, then gather the family for a favorite card or board game—and play according to Hoyle!

August Holidays – Week 5

• 8/30 National Beach Day – I’m fortunate to live just an hour from North Carolina’s beautiful beaches, and there’s nothing like the sound of the waves, salty air, and sandy toes! Whether you’re collecting shells, watching shore birds, or simply soaking up the sunshine, the beach is full of opportunities to explore. Heading to the coast? Be sure to grab this Beach Scavenger Hunt for a fun family adventure!
• 8/31 National Trail Mix Day – Celebrate the last day of August by creating your own custom trail mix! Let everyone choose their favorite ingredients, then mix, measure, and taste-test your creations. Whether you’re packing it for a hike, a homeschool field trip, or an afternoon snack, trail mix is a delicious way to wrap up a month of celebrating.

August Birthdays

August is packed with famous birthdays! Celebrate explorers, inventors, artists, musicians, and authors like William Clark, Louis Armstrong, Annie Oakley, Orville Wright, Mary Shelley, and Michael Jackson. I love the Who Was series and the Lives Of  series for learning more about notable people from the past—and, of course, there’s always the local library!