Resources for January Observances

Various organizations, states, and nations recognize a number of observances each month. Resources help parents, caregivers, and child care professionals acknowledge and navigate them.

Here is a list of resources for January observances.

Month-Long Observances

INTERNATIONAL CREATIVITY MONTH

• Art Activities That Encourage Social-Emotional Development, Trying Together

• Supporting Social-Emotional Development Through Play: A Guide for Families, Trying Together

• How Bluey Showcases Play, Creativity, and Emotional Learning for Children… and Adults, Playful Pittsburgh

• The Relationship Between Learning Through Play and Holistic Skills, Playful Pittsburgh

• “Sound” Activities, Buzzword

NATIONAL HOBBY MONTH

• 5 Reasons Why You Should Revisit Your Childhood Hobby as an Adult, Fortune Well

• 5 Advantages That Hobbies Bring to a Child’s Development, City Magazine

• Ways to Play During Winter, Playful Pittsburgh

• The Transformative Power of Games, Playful Pittsburgh

Week-Long Observances

NATIONAL STORYTELLING WEEK

• Supporting Early Literacy Development, Buzzword

• Children’s Books on Race and Equity, Trying Together

• National Storytelling Week 2026, National Literacy Trust

Day Observances

JANUARY 2 IS MOTIVATION AND INSPIRATION DAY

• “Brave” Activities, Buzzword

• Encouraging Positive Racial Identity in Young Children, Trying Together

• Growing Self-Esteem: Positive Affirmations for Children, Bright Horizons

• The Cheer, Lindsey Gurk

JANUARY 17 IS KID INVENTORS DAY

• “Plan” Activities, Buzzword

• “Geometric” Activities, Buzzword

JANUARY 19 IS MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY

• Children’s Books on Race and Equity, Trying Together

• Anti-Racism Tools, Trying Together

• Taking Personal and Professional Responsibility for Anti-Racism Work, Trying Together

• Martin Luther King Jr. Day for Preschoolers, Kids Care Club

• 2026 King Holiday, The King Center

JANUARY 21 IS NATIONAL HUGGING DAY

• The Transformative Power of Hugging in Child Development, Meaningful Beginnings

• Respecting Your Child’s Boundaries, Trying Together

• “Friendship” Activities, Buzzword

JANUARY 24 IS INTERNATIONAL DAY OF EDUCATION

• Supporting the Work of Early Childhood, Trying Together

• Early Learning PA, Trying Together

• Roadmap to Understanding Child Development, Trying Together

• Supporting Early Literacy Development, Buzzword

JANUARY 26 IS INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION DAY

• Community and Family Programs, Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy

• “Metamorphosis” Activities, Buzzword

• “Migrate” Activities, Buzzword
  “Bloom” Activities, Buzzword

JANUARY 28 IS NATIONAL LEGO DAY

• 10 Incredible Benefits of Playing with Lego®, Children’s Wellness Centre

• Let’s Talk Loose Parts Play, Playful Pittsburgh

• “Plan” Activities, Buzzword

JANUARY 29 IS NATIONAL PUZZLE DAY

• 10 Puzzle Activities for Toddlers, Preschoolers and Babies That Promote Learning, Speak.Play.Love

• Indoor Play and Why It’s Fun for Everyone, Playful Pittsburgh
  The Transformative Power of Games, Playful Pittsburgh

JANUARY 31 IS INSPIRE YOUR HEART WITH ART DAY

• Art Activities That Encourage Social-Emotional Development, Trying Together

• “Sound” Activities, Buzzword

• Benefits of Art & Art History for Early Childhood Learning, Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh