National Kids Day is a celebration of our greatest asset—our children. In addition to being precious beings we love dearly, our children are our future, and National Kids Day reminds us of exactly that.
National Kids Day—When to Celebrate?
National Kids Day is always celebrated on the first Sunday in August. Some communities hold special gatherings in parks or parades in their downtown area. In other communities, churches choose to recognize National Kids Day in their own special ways.
If anyone should celebrate National Kids Day, it’s all parents, guardians, grandparents, and others who have the incredible privilege of having children in their lives. Sure, kids are a lot of work, but they’re worth every minute invested in their lives.
How Can You Find Time to Celebrate?
Probably the very best way to celebrate National Kids Day is to designate some very special time to spend with our children. Sure, you feed and clothe your kids—and make sure they have a roof over their heads. These are the responsibilities of those raising children. There’s way more to doing so responsibly.
Parents, guardians, grandparents, and more who are privileged with children in their lives must occasionally take time out of their busy days to simply enjoy time spent with our kids. National Kids Day is a great reminder.
Yes, we are all overwhelmed with work, housecleaning, shuttling the kids to and from school—as well as to and from all of their extracurricular activities. Sometimes it’s important to slow down and prioritize—and find special blocks of time just to spend with our kids.
Hiring a maid service is an excellent way to find extra time to celebrate our children. Perhaps National Kids Day will prompt you to make that phone call and book a maid service. This will mean you’ll spend less time cleaning your home, so you can designate that block of time for a kid-friendly activity—or perhaps just some quiet alone time with your kids.
Help Promote National Kids Day
Even though National Kids Day is an unofficial holiday—it doesn’t even warrant its own Hallmark card—those behind the celebration encourage others to promote it enthusiastically via social media. Those with children in their lives are urged to comment on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and more, using the hashtag #KidsDay. This will help spread the word about the celebration, and hopefully result in more kids being lauded on this very special day.
How to Celebrate?
A National Kids Day celebration needn’t be extravagant or costly. In fact, it’s one of those celebrations that falls under the tried-and-true header of “the simpler, the better.” The most important thing is spending time with your kids, not lavishing them with expensive gifts or costly adventures.
Simple Ways
Some other simple and fun ways to celebrate include going for a bike ride. Stop off at a local ice cream shop for a milkshake or an ice cream cone.
Use Your Imagination
Pretend you are tourists, and visit all the places your town or city has that entice visitors to arrive each summer. Are there special attractions you haven’t seen in years—simply because you live nearby? Check them out with fresh eyes. You may gain a whole new appreciation—not just of your child—but of the place you both call home.
Camping Out
Camping out in the backyard is an excellent way of showing your kids just how much they mean to you. Bring flashlights and a late night snack, and stay up late telling them stories of what life was like when you were a kid. If you have a grill or a place for a small campfire, roast marshmallows before turning in for the night.
Picnics
There is nothing better than having a picnic at a park or at the lake or the beach to celebrate the kids in your life. While the maid service is at home doing the housecleaning, pack a simple lunch, and enjoy a peaceful day outdoors. Spend time in meaningful conversation with your kids. Sitting in the sand, on a park bench, or floating in the water is the perfect time. If you have more than one child, divide up the day. Make sure to get a few minutes alone with each of them. Take turns sitting in a special designated spot—even if only long enough to tell your child how much you love him or her and how very important he or she is to you.
Inside Fun
If the weather doesn’t cooperate for outdoor fun, don’t give in and go to the movies or the bowling alley. This won’t allow for meaningful time with your child. Instead, consider challenging him, her, or them to a board game tournament. Many a conversation has been had between parent and child while playing Monopoly, Scrabble, or Clue.
If All Else Fails…
What happens if—even with a maid service and a couple of hours off from work—your plans for National Kids Day fail? If all else fails and you can’t possibly seek out that small segment of time, making a special dinner when you get home, or going out for dessert at the end of the day will let your child know you are trying to spend some quality time with them, and it will no doubt make them feel very special.
Life is complicated. Simplify when you can. Hire that maid service. Take those sick days. Tell your child over and over again that he or she is the most important person in your world.
Don’t just do this on National Kids Day, however. Save that one day of the year for something extra special. Your kids are worth every moment you spend on them. After all, they are the future.