Celebrations
People celebrate special days in many ways: with family, friends, food, music and lights.
A birthday, a new year, a holiday, a wedding: families celebrate special days in lots of different ways. Some light candles or lanterns, some share special foods, some sing songs and give gifts. Learning how others celebrate helps us understand each other.
Words to know
Tap a picture to hear it.
Did you know?
- Lunar New Year is celebrated by many people in China, Korea, Vietnam and around the world, often with red lanterns.
- Diwali is a festival of lights. Families light small lamps called diyas.
- Hanukkah lasts eight nights, and families light candles on a menorah.
- Eid al-Fitr is a happy celebration at the end of Ramadan, with special foods and visits to family.
- Kwanzaa celebrates African American culture over seven days, with one candle for each day.
- Many families celebrate Christmas with a decorated tree and presents.
Try it! Hands-on activities
Simple things to do together with stuff you already have.
Printables
Talk about it
Questions to ask while you read, play or walk.
- What special days does your family celebrate?
- How do you celebrate a birthday?
- What would you like to learn about how another family celebrates?
For teachers
What this topic supports:
- C3 Framework (K–2), History: family traditions, and how they are the same and different
- C3 Framework (K–2), Geography: how people live and celebrate in different places
- Head Start ELOF: Sense of Identity and Belonging