Kids generally like Labor Day because they’re off school. But do they know what they’re actually celebrating every first Monday in September? Labor Day is not just another holiday; it’s an opportunity for education and to delve into some fun Labor Day activities for kids. Sure, we can explain how it’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.
To make Labor Day for kids memorable and educational, why not engage them in some interactive games and crafts or a fun activity? It’s easy to whip up your very own Labor Day lesson plans. (Really!) Here are some super-fun Labor Day activities for kids to help children, tweens and teens learn the importance of the holiday.
What is Labor Day?
Labor Day is celebrated on the first Monday of September each year, and it’s intended to honor the achievements of American workers. Before it became a federal holiday, Labor Day was mostly recognized by U.S. labor activists. Finally, on June 28, 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed a law making the celebration a national holiday. Since it’s intended to be a day of rest and celebration for workers, it’s usually celebrated with parades, parties and other fun festivities.
Labor Day activities for kids
1. Complete a Labor Day coloring page
Chat about community helpers while kids work on a cute Labor Day coloring page, like this free one from Crayola.com. You can download and print it yourself, and it creates a great opportunity to discuss the different kinds of workers in our communities and the immense value they add through their hard work and dedication.
2. Host a Labor Day movie night
Whether you gather for an outdoor movie or cozy up in the living room, watch a movie that celebrates American workers and the values that helped make Labor Day a holiday in the first place. Some good examples? Try movies like “Hidden Figures“, “Miracle” or even “Captain America.”
3. Go on a Labor Day scavenger hunt
Fact: Kids will never say “no” to a scavenger hunt. So, why not create one that’s Labor Day-themed? Whether you decide to have the kids make pitstops at local community buildings — the fire department, the police station, etc. — or find items that are red, white and blue, like this downloadable one from Vanilla Mint Prints on Etsy does, everyone is sure to have fun.
4. Make a “community helpers” craft
Whether you make these to educate your kids about community helpers, and then hang them in your own home, or pass them out to actual community helpers, this community helper craft from In the Bag Kids Crafts is a great way to exercise your kids creative muscles while showing them the importance and true meaning of the holiday.
5. Volunteer
Really, there’s no better way to learn about the true meaning of Labor Day than to actually volunteer in your community. Whether you have your little ones “help out” at the town’s police department, fire department, hospital, etc. or hook up with a grass roots organization for something more simple, volunteering will show kids big and small how giving their time goes a long way in their community.
6. Read books about Labor Day for kids
Cuddling up with little ones and a book is always a good idea — and on Labor Day, why not make it thematic. If possible, head to the library a few days before to check out a few books on the holiday — and thank the librarians and other workers while you’re there. If it’s not too busy, encourage kids to ask them questions about their jobs.
Where to buy: “Who Started the Labor Day Celebration?” ($18, Bookshop.org)
7. Write thank-you letters to workers
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.
8. Host a “backyard Olympics”
For many families, Labor Day is tell-tale the sign that summer break is ending and school is starting back up. Why not make the most of your numbered days with by hosting a backyard Olympics day in your yard. Whether you invite other families or just keep it small with your own unit, it’s the perfect way to spend time together and talk about the holiday (because, as every parents knows, kids are much more likely to talk when they’re doing something. as opposed to sitting at the kitchen table!).
Read more:
9. 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.
10. 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 buses, 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 child’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!
11. Create a career mobile
A career mobile is a great way to teach kids about possible career options while also celebrating a variety of 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.
12. 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).
- “She Works Hard for the Money” by Donna Summer.
- “Living in America” by James Brown.
- “Working for the Weekend” by Loverboy.
- “9 to 5” by Dolly Parton.
- “Caught Up” by John Legend.
- “9 to 5 (Morning Train)” by Sheena Easton.
- “A Hard Day’s Night” by The Beatles.
- “Work Hard, Play Harder” by Gretchen Wilson.
- “Work It” 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!
13. Tie dye in red, white and blue
Whether you tie dye before Labor Day (and, of course, don your creations the day of) or do it on the actual Monday, this red, white and blue tie dyeing craft from Dewey Beach Tie Dye is a great Labor Day craft for kids, as well as the whole family.
14. Enjoy patriotic Labor Day snacks
Creating delicious summer snacks with an American twist is a great way to boost your child’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.
15. Organize a Labor Day block party
Your 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 kids’ play.
- Having a donation jar on someone’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.
