October Themed Activities for Kids

Do you wonder how to add interest to your classroom or homeschool? It’s easy if you add a few calendar observances into your schedule. I’m sharing my calendar of October themed activities for kids. With this, you’ll find lots of calendar observances (both silly and serious) throughout the month. They’re perfect as a focus for unit studies or mini units.

You’ll find all my unit studies and holiday posts listed by themes in my “Montessori-Inspired Unit Studies + Seasonal and Holiday Activities” post. Here you’ll find activities listed by date throughout October.

You’ll find more links for calendar observances in my “Enliven Your Homeschool with Some Calendar Fun” post. The post has links to resources for calendar observances for any level. I’m especially focusing here on October themes for preschoolers through early elementary, although I’ve added some calendar observances for pre-teens and teens.

Fall Themes

Montessori-Inspired Fall Activities

Monthly Observances for October

Monthly observances can be used for themed activities throughout the month or for one or two weeks during the month.

September-October

National Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept 15-Oct 15) – Montessori-Inspired Snowman Spanish Color Activity, Montessori-Inspired Little Passports Activities – Mexico, Montessori-Inspired Color Tablets, Yarn Balls, and Spanish Colors, Free Spanish Printables and Montessori-Inspired Spanish Color Activities, Free Cinco de Mayo Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time, Montessori-Inspired Spanish Activities and Resources, Free Spanish Color Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time, Spanish Animal Alphabet Do-a-Dot Pack and Mi Libro del Alfabeto de Animales, Foreign Language for Kids Pinterest Board, Kids’ Cinco de Mayo Activities Pinterest Board

October

Adopt-A-Shelter-Dog Month – Montessori Care of Pets, Montessori-Inspired Pet Activities, Talking with Children about Death: Creating an “I Remember” Book, Best Children’s Books about the Death of a Pet, Pets Unit Study Pinterest Board
American Cheese Month
American Cancer Society Denim Days
National Animal Safety and Protection Month – Montessori Care of Pets, Montessori-Inspired Pet Activities, Talking with Children about Death: Creating an “I Remember” Book, Best Children’s Books about the Death of a Pet, Pets Unit Study Pinterest Board
National Apple Month – Montessori-Inspired Apple Unit, 30+ Apple Sensory Tubs, Free Apple Printables and Montessori-Inspired Apple Activities, 20+ Apple Phonics Activities, Fall Sensory Bin with Practical Life and Math Activities, Fun with Montessori Apple Coring, Slicing, Spreading, and Sharing, Free Apple Printable for Ten Apples Up On Top Activities (Instant Download), Ten Apples Up On Top Sensory Bin & Table (Free Printables), Ten Apples Up On Top Activities with Spielgaben {Free Printables}, Free Fall Playdough Math Pack (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), Montessori-Inspired Playdough Math Activities for Fall {Free Printables}, Free Seasons of an Apple Tree Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), Free Tree Songs and Educational Videos {Learn about Trees, Apple Trees, and Seasons}, Free Apple Printables and Activities for a Montessori-Inspired Apple Unit, Montessori Apple Color Matching for Toddlers and Preschoolers, Montessori Apple Fraction Activities for Multiple Ages, Free Apple Songs and Educational Videos, Free Apple Do-a-Dot Phonics Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), The Best Apple Books for Kids, Free Apple Picking Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), Apple Unit Study Pinterest Board
National Arts and Humanities Month – Montessori-Inspired Art Appreciation, Art Appreciation and Creation for Kids, Art Appreciation Activities from Montessori By Mom, Art Postcards: Montessori Art Appreciation for a Variety of Ages, Free Art Appreciation Resources for a Mystery of Easter Tray, Montessori Art History Resources for Preschool Through Elementary , Kids’ Art Appreciation Pinterest Board, Montessori-Inspired Music Appreciation, Montessori-Inspired Music Appreciation: Peter and the Wolf, Montessori-Inspired Music Appreciation: Swan Lake, Montessori-Inspired Music Appreciation: Carnival of the Animals, Montessori-Inspired Activities for the Tortoise and the Hare, Montessori-Inspired Activities for Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel, Montessori-Inspired Music Appreciation: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Montessori-Inspired Activities for Casey at the Bat, Montessori-Inspired Music Appreciation: My Name is Handel, Montessori-Inspired Music Unit Studies, Free Nutcracker Printables and Montessori-Inspired Nutcracker Activities, Montessori-Inspired Little Passports Early Explorers Activities – Music, Montessori-Inspired Music Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers, Making Music Activities from Montessori By Mom, Montessori-Inspired Music Appreciation: Juanita the Spanish Lobster (Juanita la langosta española) Activities, Free Bell Printables and Montessori-Inspired Bell Activities, Fun with Cleaning, Movement, and Music Appreciation, How to Have Fun with Classical Music for Toddlers and Preschoolers, Montessori Music History and Music Theory Resources for Preschool Through Elementary, Having Fun with Music for Babies, Toddlers, and Older Children by Nancy Kopman, Kids’ Music Activities Pinterest Board
National Audiology Awareness Month – DIY Montessori Sound Cylinders, Montessori-Inspired Easter Egg Sound Shakers for Babies and Toddlers
National Bake and Decorate Month – Montessori-Inspired Food Preparation for Preschoolers, Montessori-Inspired Food Art, Kids in the Kitchen Posts, Kids’ Food Fun Pinterest Board
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month – Go Pink Blog Hop, Make a “10 Things I Love About You” Book {Free Printable}, Getting Kids Involved in Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Talking with Children about Cancer, Breast Cancer Awareness Ideas for Adults and Kids
National Bullying Prevention Month – Do You Follow the Thumper Theory?, The Golden Rule for Back to School, Free Anti-Bullying Songs {Character Education Resources}
Car Care Month – Free Car Printables and Montessori-Inspired Car Activities, Super-Cool Beginning Reading Activity – Race Car Blending, Free Car Do-a-Dot Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), Free Car Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), Fun Magnetic Vehicle STEM Trays and Activity, Transportation Unit Study Pinterest Board
National Clock Month – Free Digital Clock Numbers Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), Montessori Telling Time Resources for Preschool Through Elementary
Celebrating the Bilingual Child Month – Montessori-Inspired Spanish Activities, Montessori-Inspired Snowman Spanish Color Activity, Montessori-Inspired Little Passports Activities – Mexico, Montessori-Inspired Color Tablets, Yarn Balls, and Spanish Colors, Free Spanish Printables and Montessori-Inspired Spanish Color Activities, Free Cinco de Mayo Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time, Montessori-Inspired Spanish Activities and Resources, Free Spanish Color Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time, Spanish Animal Alphabet Do-a-Dot Pack and Mi Libro del Alfabeto de Animales, Montessori-Inspired Little Passports Activities – France, Free French Color Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time, Free Sign Language Color Songs for Circle Time, Free Sign Language Alphabet and Phonics Songs, Free Baby Sign Language Videos {Signs and Songs}, Foreign Language for Kids Pinterest Board
National Diabetes Month
Celiac Disease Awareness Month
Church Library Month
Computer Learning Month
National Cookie Month – Montessori-Inspired Food Preparation for Preschoolers, Kids’ Food Fun Pinterest Board
Co-op Awareness Month – Starting a Montessori Playgroup or Montessori Homeschool Co-op (While the month especially focuses on food- and agricultural co-ops as businesses, I also like to use the month to focus on Montessori homeschool co-ops.)
National Crime Prevention Month – Free Police Printables and Montessori-Inspired Police Activities, Free 9-1-1 Songs for Kids {Non-Scary Emergency Preparedness}, Free Emergency Preparedness Songs for Kids {Character Education Resources}, Community Helpers Pinterest Board
Cut Out Dissection Month
National Cyber Security Awareness Month
National Dental Hygiene Month – Montessori-Inspired Dental Health Unit, Dental Health Unit Study Pinterest Board
National Down Syndrome Awareness Month – Montessori-Inspired Special Needs Support, Special Olympians Can Inspire Us All, Be a Fan of Special Olympics
International Drum Month
Dyslexia Awareness Month – Learning to Read Can Be Just a Fun Game, DIY Beginning Montessori Phonics for Preschoolers, Inexpensive and DIY Sandpaper Letters, DIY Alphabet Box, Inexpensive and DIY Movable Alphabets, The Montessori Grammar Farm
Emotional Intelligence Awareness Month
National Field Trip Month – Should You Use Unit Studies?, How to Create a Unit Study
German-American Heritage Month
Global Diversity Awareness Month – Montessori-Inspired Respect for Diversity, Montessori Inspiration for Martin Luther King Day, Free Hanukkah Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time, Free Kwanzaa Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time, Free Martin Luther King Day Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time, Free Chinese New Year Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time, Free Cinco de Mayo Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time, Equality and Peace Resources for Parents and Teachers, The Snowy Day Eggshell Crushing and Pin-Poking Activity, Promote Peace with Holidays Around the World Resources, The Best Peace Books for Kids, Free Multicultural Songs Celebrating Diversity and Inclusion {Character Education Resources}, Multicultural Children’s Book Day Review: If a Caterpillar Can Fly, Why Can’t I?, Multicultural Children’s Book Day Review: Midnight Teacher: Lilly Ann Granderson and Her Secret School, Does Your Preschooler Have This Fabulous Multicultural Children’s Book?, Best Martin Luther King Jr. Quotes, Multicultural Children’s Book Day Review: B Is for Breathe: The ABCs of Coping with Fussy and Frustrating Feelings, Anti-Racism Resources for Parents and Teachers, Free Juneteenth Songs and Educational Videos, Multicultural Education Pinterest Board
Health Literacy Month
Home Eye Safety Month
Intergeneration Month
National Liver Awareness Month – Human Body Unit Study Pinterest Board
National Medical Librarians Month
Organize Your Medical Information Month
Photographer Appreciation Month – Montessori-Inspired Photography for Kids, Go on a Smile Hunt with Your Child, Photography for Kids Pinterest Board
National Physical Therapy Month
National Pizza Month – Montessori-Inspired Food Preparation for Preschoolers, Kids’ Food Fun Pinterest Board
Polish-American Heritage Month
National Popcorn Poppin’ Month – Montessori-Inspired CornUnit, Corn Unit Study Pinterest Board
Positive Attitude Month – Bits of Positivity Facebook page
National Reading Group Month
Right-Brainers Rule Month
National Roller Skating Month
International School Library Month – Montessori-Inspired Dr. Seuss Activities, Montessori-Inspired Eric Carle Activities, How to Help Your Child Treasure Books, Simple Tips for Organizing Your Homeschool Library, Montessori-Inspired Ideas for Enjoying Books with Your Child or Students, Montessori-Inspired Activities for the Tortoise and the Hare, Goodnight Moon Resources and Activities, Montessori-Inspired Activities for Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel, Free Mitten Printables and Montessori-Inspired Mitten Activities, Montessori-Inspired Brown Bear, Brown Bear Activities, Using Children’s Books to Raise Awareness about Hunger, Montessori Book Baskets for Babies, Toddlers, and Preschoolers, 50+ Montessori-Inspired Dr. Seuss Activities, 30+ Dr. Seuss Inspired Phonics Activities, {Dr. Seuss Inspired} Cat in the Hat Sensory Bin, How to Teach Toddlers and Preschoolers to Take Care of Books, Favorite Montessori-Friendly Books for a 2 Year Old, Spring Book Lists for Preschool and Elementary Kids: Garden Adventures Around the World, Best Children’s Books about the Death of a Pet, The Best Ant Books for Kids, Free Kissing Hand Songs, Poems, and Videos to Ease Separation Anxiety, The Best Classic Children’s Books for Preschoolers, The Best Children’s Books about Taking Turns and Sharing, The Best Children’s Books about Manners for Preschoolers, Encourage Kindness with the We’re All Wonders Picture Book, Encourage Kindness with the Wonder Books #ChooseKind, The Best Bee Books for Kids, Simple Literature-Based Ideas with the Pink and Green Kindness Elves, The Best Alligator and Crocodile Books for Kids, My Children’s Favorite Books from Childhood, Our Favorite Picture Book about Inclusion and Friendship, Positive Messages We All Need from Pete the Cat, The Best Moon Books for Kids, The Best Nest Books for Kids, The Best Duck and Duckling Books for Kids, The Best Ladybug Books for Kids, The Best Star and Constellation Books for Kids, The Best Growth Mindset Books for Kids, The Best Fire Safety Books for Kids, The Best Space Books for Kids {Featuring Solar System Books},The Best Peace Books for Kids, Multicultural Children’s Book Day Review: If a Caterpillar Can Fly, Why Can’t I?, Multicultural Children’s Book Day Review: Midnight Teacher: Lilly Ann Granderson and Her Secret School, The Best Mindfulness Books for Kids, The Best Heart Books for Kids {Human Heart, Love, and Valentine’s Day Books}, The Best Bird Books for Kids, The Best Cleaning and Tidying Books for Kids, The Best Transportation and Travel Books for Kids, The Best Ocean Books for Kids, Does Your Preschooler Have This Fabulous Multicultural Children’s Book?, The Best Apple Books for Kids, The Best Farm Books for Kids, The Best Gratitude Books for Kids, The Best Months and Seasons Books for Kids, Multicultural Children’s Book Day Review: B Is for Breathe: The ABCs of Coping with Fussy and Frustrating Feelings, The Best Winter Books for Kids, Literature-Based Activities Pinterest Board
Spinach Lovers Month – Montessori-Inspired Vegetable Unit, Free Eat-a-Rainbow Printables and Montessori-Inspired Activities, Free Eat-a-Rainbow Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), Kids’ Kitchen: Favorite Gluten-Free Sweet Spinach Muffins {aka Green Monster Muffins}, Kids’ Food Fun Pinterest Board
Squirrel Awareness Month –Montessori-Inspired Squirrel and Nut Activities,Outdoor Acorn Math Activities , Free Woodland Animal Printables and Montessori-Inspired Woodland Animal Activities , Squirrel and Nut Activities Pinterest Board
National Stamp Collecting Month – Montessori Continent Boxes
Vegetarian Month – Creating Healthy Family Recipes, Favorite Healthy Family Recipes, Focusing on Healthy, Gluten-Free Foods for My Family, Kids in the Kitchen Posts, Healthy Eating Pinterest Board
National Work and Family Month

October Dates that Can Be Used for Themed Activities

Calendar observances are great for mini units or even units that might last the whole month.

Amazon Affiliate:

October Calendar Observances with Changing Dates

October 1, 2020: National Poetry Day (1st Thursday in October typically) – Montessori-Inspired Poetry Activities, Montessori-Inspired Rhyming Fun for Toddlers and Preschoolers, Kids’ Poetry Activities Pinterest Board
October 2, 2020: World Smile Day (1st Friday in October) – Montessori-Inspi red 100 Acts of Kindness Project, Kindness Project for Children and Adults of All Ages, Go on a Smile Hunt with Your Child, Kindness Posts at Bits of Positivity
October 2, 2020: American Cancer Society Denim Day (1st Friday in October)
October 3, 2020: International Frugal Fun Day (1st Saturday in October)
October 4-10, 2020: Fire Prevention Week (Sunday to Saturday in which October 9 falls) – Community Helpers Activity Trays and Sensory Tubs, Free Fire Safety Printables and Montessori-Inspired Fire Safety Activities, Montessori-Friendly Community Helper Resources, Montessori-Inspired Activities with Community Helper Figures and Free Printables, “Look for the Helpers” Mister Rogers Word Art Freebie, Montessori-Inspired Fire Safety Unit with Free Printables and Activities , Free Fire Safety Songs and Educational Videos , The Best Fire Safety Books for Kids, Free Fire Truck Do-a-Dot Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), Free Firefighter Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), How to Teach Children Fire Safety in a Non-Scary Way , Community Helpers Pinterest Board
October 5, 2020: World Habitat Day (1st Monday in October )
October 5, 2020: Child Health Day (1st Monday in October) – Free Medical Worker Printables and Montessori-Inspired Medical Worker Activities , Free Doctor and Nurse Do-a-Dot Printables (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download)Free Doctor and Nurse Do-a-Dot Printables (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), Free Medical Worker Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), Free Fruit and Vegetable Printables and Montessori-Inspired Fruit and Vegetable Activities
October 5, 2020: Kindness in Chalk Day
October 9, 2020: World Egg Day (2nd Friday in October) – Montessori-Inspired Life Cycle Activities, Free Easter Egg Printables and Montessori-Inspired Easter Egg Activities, Easter Egg Rainbow Practical Life and Sensorial Activity, Montessori-Inspired Easter Egg Sound Shakers for Babies and Toddlers, Free Oviparous Animal Printables and Montessori-Inspired Oviparous Animal Activities, Free Oviparous Animal Songs and Educational Videos, Free Egg Do-a-Dot Phonics Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), Free Oviparous Animal Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download
October 10, 2020: National Chess Day (2nd Saturday in October)
October 12, 2020: Columbus Day or Native American Day (2nd Monday in October) – Montessori-Inspired Native American Unit , Free Inuit Printables and Montessori-Inspired Inuit Activities , Montessori-Inspired Native American Unit , Historically Accurate and Culturally Sensitive Thanksgiving Printables for Preschool Through Elementary
October 12, 2020: Thanksgiving Day in Canada (2nd Monday in October) –Montessori-Inspired Gratitude Activities, How to Help Your Child Feel Comfortable Greeting Relatives, Table Setting, How to Teach Your Child Table Manners for Holiday Gatherings, Homeschool Thanksgiving, Activity of the Week – Montessori Thanksgiving Noun Sorting Work, Montessori-Inspired Corn Unit, Montessori-Inspired Thanksgiving Activities, Kids in the Kitchen on Thanksgiving, Montessori-Inspired Thanksgiving Math Activities and Free Thanksgiving Printables , Thanksgiving Grace and Courtesy, Montessori-Inspired Native American Unit, Free Turkey Printables and Montessori-Inspired Turkey Activities, 20+ Family Gratitude Activities, Montessori-Inspired Thanksgiving Ideas, Free Thanksgiving Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time, Free Gratitude Songs and Rhymes for Home or School, Delicious and Nutritious Vegan, Gluten-Free Pumpkin Pie and Pumpkin Pie Squares, 30+ Free Thanksgiving Gratitude Printables for Kids, 20+ Free Year-Round Gratitude Printables for Kids, Free Guided Gratitude Meditations for Kids {Mindfulness Resources, Free Guided Gratitude Meditations {Mindfulness Resources for Teens and Adults}, Free Gratitude Printables and Montessori-Inspired Gratitude Activities, Free Gratitude Do-a-Dot Phonics Printable (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), How to Use Flint Corn (Ornamental Corn) for Montessori Practical Life and Language Work, Free Gratitude Cutting Strips (Montessori-Inspired Instant Download), Thank You for Planet Earth (or Thank You, Planet Earth) Mindfulness Cards and Booklet, Gratitude Activities and Inspiration Pinterest Board Kids’ Thanksgiving Activities Pinterest Board
October 14, 2020: Take Your Teddy Bear to Work & School Day (2nd Wednesday in October … some say it’s October 11) – Montessori-Inspired Teddy Bear Activities, How to Have a Healthy and Courteous Teddy Bear Picnic, Free Teddy Bear Songs and Rhymes for Circle Time, Kids’ Teddy Bear Activities Pinterest Board
October 17, 2020: Sweetest Day (3rd Saturday in October) – Montessori-Inspired 100 Acts of Kindness Project, Kindness Project for Children and Adults of All Ages, Family Fun with 100 Acts of Kindness and Operation Beautiful, Teaching Kids to Be Kind, Kindness Projects Pinterest Board
October 18-24, 2020: Character Counts Week (3rd week in October) – Free Worldwide Character Counts Week Resources, Character Education Resources from Bits of Positivity, Character Education Pinterest Board
October 24, 2020: Make a Difference Day (4th Saturday in October) – Simple Ways to Make a Difference in the World, Making a Difference Posts from Bits of Positivity, Make a Difference Pinterest Board
October 25, 2020: Daylight Saving Time Ends (European Union) – Last Sunday in October
November 14, 2020: Diwali (sometimes in October) – Promote Peace with Holidays Around the World Resources

Plan ahead for November!

Have a great October!

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Comments

Maria says

September 26, 2013 at 12:30 pm

Thanks so very much for putting this amazing list together! It always get me so many ideas to try with my daughter afterschool and on weekends.

Mai says

September 27, 2013 at 2:38 pm

So much thing to do..so little time.. Looking forward for the many activities October has to offer! Lovin’ it! 😀

Jill says

October 3, 2013 at 8:15 am

What a fantastic list that is sure to keep everyone busy with fun learning throughout the month of October. I have marked down the Mad Hatter Day on my calendar (any excuse to have an un-birthday party around Alice in Wonderland is a must in my book 🙂 )

Carrie says

October 4, 2013 at 11:32 am

I always love reading all the great themes and celebrations you find for each month!

October Themed Activities for Kids

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