Family Literacy Day is taking place on January 27, 2024, marking its 25th year!
Family Literacy Day raises awareness of the importance of reading and engaging in other literacy-related activities as a family. Since 1999, schools, libraries, literacy organizations and other community groups all across the country have taken part in the annual initiative.
This year’s theme is “Let’s have a family party!” And ABC Life Literacy Canada offers 10 ways for families to learn together by having a family party.
1. Create your own invitations
Make invitations to your party. They can all be the same or different. Send them to family and friends a few weeks before the big day.
2. Decorate your party room
Draw pictures of your family’s favourite stories, books, and characters. After you colour them, use them as decorations for your party.
3. Make yummy party food
Create a menu filled with fun party foods. Look in cookbooks, online, and talk with family about traditional recipes. Ask family members to help, and make your party foods together.
4. Sing and dance
Make up a song or dance. Make a video while you perform for your party guests and watch it together afterwards.
5. Dress-up for your party
Have fun planning what you’ll wear for the party. Will you dress as your favourite story characters or with a certain theme? Have fun and show off your individual styles!
6. Take pictures in your own photo booth
Create a fun photo area. Gather fun and silly accessories to wear. Make party signs for people to hold. Set up your area with a colourful backdrop created by you!
7. Make a toast
Write a toast to celebrate 25 years of Family Literacy Day and taking time to learn as a family. Your toast can talk about what you love most about learning or about the people at your party.
8. Play fun games
Plan fun party games like BINGO, Go Fish, I Spy, Pictionary, or Memory. You could even make up a new game and teach it to everyone.
9. Eat cake to celebrate
Lots of parties have cake. Bake something yummy as a family. Use a favourite family recipe or find a new one in a cookbook or online.
10. Thank your guests
Everyone loves getting fun mail! Write and send a kind thank you note to each of your guests after the party. Share what you liked best, and make plans for the next get-together.
For more activities and free resources, visit: FamilyLiteracyDay.ca.
