12 Holidays to Celebrate in October (That Aren’t Halloween)

We can get into a debate all day about whether or not we should celebrate Halloween. Truth is, there is a spectrum of convictions that people have. Most of which differ ever so slightly, making it so nobody would ever agree. We are not going to go there. What we are going to do is check out 12 holidays to celebrate in October (that aren’t Halloween). These are a win/win for any homeschool family.

October has so many more days and reasons to celebrate! My family’s very favorite thing to do during October in America was to visit pumpkin patches. YES, I love them too.

We cherish the feel of October in America. We don’t have seasons really where we live now, so remembering doing activities in the cooler weather are great memories for us.

Our church had a hayride every year and we often worked some booths for their Fall Festival in October. We just loved the fun and feel of the crisp fall air while people gathered together, embracing the holiday season to come.

I say it is time to decorate. How about you?!

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Although October is swarmed with Halloween happenings, our homeschools must go on. We can learn all about some other holidays to celebrate in October. That is a failsafe way to make October memorable for your kiddos (without Halloween). These 12 holidays to celebrate in October will fill up your month, so let’s start the festivities.

12 Holidays to Celebrate in October (That Aren’t Halloween):

October 1st – World Vegetarian Day

Kids can celebrate by learning about nutrition, what vegetarians are and why they choose to become one. Cook vegetarian meals with your kids that day. — and don’t mention the next October holiday on my list.

1) October 4th, Taco Day

I mean, even though this comes at the beginning of the month anyway. It is my family’s favorite day because… well, because of TACOS! Make tacos this day, make taco crafts, learn with taco printables, and enjoy.

2) October 5, World Card Making Day

Making cards is one of our favorite things to do for people. Cards are a great gift for people. They truly provide an expression of value for our friends and family. It is a great day to pick someone and brighten up their day.

3) October 7, World Smile Day

I love this day. This day I challenge my kids (and myself) to make as many people smile as possible. We try to make each other smile all day. We visit the park, stores or wherever else we need to go (we were at the doctor’s office one year) and put a smile on a stranger’s face.

4) October 9th, Fire Prevention Day

This day our kids can learn and practice fire safety and preparedness. We can highlight skills that our kids can take with them for the rest of their lives and help them be safe during or prevent fires. Read all about the Fire Prevention and Safety and grab your FREE Printables for some learning fun.

5) October 11, Southern Food Heritage Day

Make grits, make chicken and waffles, collard greens and ham hocks and invite me over for dinner!

6) October 14th, National Dessert Day

Doesn’t dessert just bring fun and deliciousness to your meals? Do some planning and help your kids make their favorite desserts to serve for dinner. s this celebration for us or them? I am not sure. Study the history of desserts. To start with, the word “dessert” originated from the French word desservir, meaning “to clear the table.” Cool right?!

7) October 15, National Face Your Fears Day

Overcoming our fears is one of the hardest things we can do. However, we can help our kids conquering some of their little fears that are really real for them. You can help their fear of heights by helping them climb a tree or help kids afraid of fire to build a safely contained fire.

8) October 16, Dictionary Day

National Dictionary Day was created in remembrance of Noah Webster’s birthday (October 16, 1758). This day homeschool families can emphasize the importance of learning with dictionary skills and increasing vocabulary. Teach these skills because your kids will use them always. A cool activity to do is to find and learn the meanings of at least 5 new words.

9) October 18, Watch a Squirrel Day

Lay some nuts around the yard where squirrels can easily get them. Learn all about squirrels this day. Did you know there are 11 different species of flying squirrels? Learn about how some families are giving squirrels a home by participating in the Trees for Wildlife program. Have your kids spend some time outside and have them draw, take photos and/or write about the squirrels they have seen.

10) October 23, Canning Day

If you have always wanted to can food but never have gotten around to it, Canning Day is a fun way to celebrate and share with the kiddos. You can can so many fun foods like jams, spaghetti, and salsa. Canning with kids is also a life skill that is valuable for them and their families as they grow older.

Teach your kids about how canning began. Nicolas Appert—the inventor of hermetically sealed food preservation and the “father of canning”— started this amazing and useful way of preserving foods.

11) October 31, National Magic Day

Discuss with your kids this day, what magic tricks are. Explain what magic is and how it is an illusion which tricks people BUT can be super fun too. Check out these easy magic tricks for beginners and kids.

12) October 31, National Knock-Knock Jokes Day

Well, of course, we need to celebrate by telling the very best and the very WORST knock, knock jokes. Here is a list of 40 hilarious Knock, Knock Jokes for Kids for some ideas. There’s no better time than the spookiest day of the year to tell some good (or bad) knock-knock jokes.

These are only twelve, but there is a slew of October celebrations that didn’t make my cut. That doesn’t make them any less worthy of celebration! Here are just a few:

• October 3: Mean Girls Appreciation Day
• October 10: Stamp Collecting Day
• October 15: National Grouch Day
• October 30: National Candy Corn Day
• October 22: Smart Is Cool Day
• October 29: National Cat Day

So, let’s not make October a time when we crunch our noses up at other families who have convictions to celebrate, take part in, or steer clear of Halloween altogether. These October celebrations will help us to keep our kids learning and still celebrating the month of October.