Globe Trottin' Kids

World Water Day
2026-03-22
World Water Day focuses on raising awareness about the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of water resources. The day highlights the critical role water plays in various aspects of life, from health and sanitation to agriculture and environmental preservation.

Earth Hour
2026-03-22
Earth Hour is an environmental campaign to bring awareness to the effects of climate change. People are encouraged to turn off lights in homes and business for one hour beginning at 8:30 p.m. local time.
Get resources HERE.

Passover
2026-04-01
Passover (or Pesach) is a major Jewish holiday that commemorates the Exodus of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. Celebrated for eight days (seven in Israel), Passover usually falls in March or April.
The holiday begins with the Seder meal, a ritual dinner where families read the Haggadah, a book that tells the story of the Exodus, and partake in symbolic foods such as matzah (unleavened bread), maror (bitter herbs), and charoset (a sweet mixture).
Passover is a time for reflection, remembrance, and family gatherings, focusing on themes of freedom, redemption, and faith.

April Fool's Day
2026-04-01
April Fool’s Day is celebrated in many countries around the world on the first day of April. The day is filled with practical jokes on friends, family members, and neighbors.

International Children's Book Day
2026-04-02
International Children’s Book Day (ICBD) is celebrated annually on April 2nd, the birthday of Hans Christian Andersen, to inspire a love of reading and highlight the importance of children’s literature.
Organized by the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) since 1967, the day promotes access to quality books for young readers worldwide. Each year, a different country sponsors ICBD, selecting a theme and creating a special message and poster to encourage reading among children. Schools, libraries, and bookstores celebrate with storytelling events, book-themed activities, and author spotlights.
Read more HERE.

World Autism Awareness Day
2026-04-02
World Autism Awareness Day is observed annually on April 2nd to raise awareness about autism and promote acceptance and inclusion of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Easter
2026-04-05
Easter, a significant Christian holiday, is a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus on the third day after his crucifixion.
It is marked by religious services, festive meals, and the tradition of egg hunting and decorating.

Qingming Festival, China
2026-04-05
The Qingming Festival, also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day, is a traditional Chinese festival observed on April 4th or 5th each year. It is a time for families to honor their ancestors by cleaning gravesites, making offerings, and paying respects.
The festival, which dates back over 2,500 years, also marks the arrival of spring, and many people enjoy outdoor activities like flying kites and taking nature walks. Traditional foods such as Qingtuan (sweet green rice balls) are often eaten during the celebration.

Easter Monday
2026-04-06
Easter Monday is a national holiday in many countries and is a time to get outside and spend time with family.
In some places it is called Ball Monday, Bright Monday, Renewal Monday, Wet Monday, and Dingus Day.

International Day of Sport for Development and Peace
2026-04-06
The International Day of Sport for Development and Peace (IDSDP) is observed annually on to recognize the power of sports in promoting social change, peace, and development worldwide.
Established by the United Nations in 2013, the day highlights how sports can foster inclusion, equality, and teamwork while addressing global challenges such as education, health, and conflict resolution.
Events and initiatives across the world encourage communities to use sports as a tool for positive social impact, bringing people together across cultures and backgrounds.

World Health Day
2026-04-07
World Health Day is observed annually on April 7th to raise awareness of global health issues and promote well-being for all.
Established by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948, the day highlights a specific health theme each year, addressing challenges such as mental health, universal healthcare, and disease prevention.
Governments, organizations, and communities around the world mark the occasion with campaigns, educational events, and advocacy efforts to improve public health and access to medical care.

Hana Matsuri, Japan
2026-04-08
Hana Matsuri, or “Flower Festival,” is a Japanese Buddhist celebration held annually on April 8 to commemorate the birth of Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha). Temples are decorated with flowers, symbolizing the garden in which Buddha was born.
A key tradition is the kanbutsu-e ceremony, where people pour sweet tea (amacha) over small Buddha statues, reenacting the legend that celestial dragons bathed the newborn Buddha in fragrant rain. The festival includes parades, cultural performances, and prayers, promoting peace, gratitude, and Buddhist teachings.

Orthodox Easter
2026-04-12
The Orthodox church uses the Julian calendar for the calculation of Easter, whereas the Western churches use the Gregorian calendar.
This difference can often mean that Orthodox Easter falls later than Easter observed elsewhere. The earliest date it can fall is 4 April and the latest is 8 May.
Learn more HERE.

Songkran Festival
2026-04-13
Songkran, the Thai New Year, is celebrated annually from April 13th to 15th in Thailand.
It is best known for its lively water fights, symbolizing purification and the washing away of bad luck. Families gather to pay respects to elders, visit temples for merit-making, and participate in traditional rituals such as pouring scented water over Buddha statues.
Songkran is a time of joy, renewal, and cultural festivities, attracting locals and tourists who join in the celebrations across the country.
Learn more HERE.

Choul Chnam Thmey, Cambodia
2026-04-14
Choul Chnam Thmey, the Cambodian New Year, is celebrated from April 14th to 16th. It marks the end of the harvest season and is a time for family gatherings, religious ceremonies, and festive activities.
The holiday is divided into three days: Maha Sangkran (welcoming the new year), Virak Vanabat (honoring elders and doing good deeds), and Virak Loeng Sak (offering blessings for the year ahead).
People visit temples, make offerings, play traditional games, and enjoy water fights, similar to Thailand’s Songkran festival.

Vaisakhi
2026-04-14
Vaisakhi, also known as Baisakhi, is a Sikh and Hindu festival celebrated annually on April 13th or 14th. It marks the Punjabi New Year and commemorates the founding of the Khalsa (the Sikh community) by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699.
For Sikhs, it is a day of spiritual significance, celebrated with prayers, processions (Nagar Kirtans), and gatherings at gurdwaras (Sikh temples).
In Hinduism, Vaisakhi is linked to the harvest season, especially in Punjab and northern India, where farmers give thanks for their crops. The festival is filled with music, dancing, and community feasts.

World Art Day
2026-04-15
World Art Day is celebrated annually on April 15th to honor the renowned artist Leonardo da Vinci’s birthday and promote art’s role in society.
Established by the International Association of Art (IAA) in 2012, the day highlights the importance of creativity, cultural diversity, and the impact of art on education and development. It encourages global participation in artistic activities, exhibitions, and discussions, fostering an appreciation for all forms of visual arts and their ability to bring people together and inspire change.
Children’s Books About Art & Artists
Global Art Teaching Resources & Activities

Haiku Poetry Day
2026-04-17
Haiku Poetry Day is celebrated annually on April 17th to honor the traditional Japanese form of poetry known as haiku.
Haiku consists of three lines, with a syllable pattern of 5-7-5, and typically focuses on nature, the seasons, or moments of profound simplicity.
The day encourages the appreciation and creation of haiku, with poets worldwide participating by writing and sharing their own poems. It serves as a celebration of this concise yet powerful literary form, fostering mindfulness, creativity, and a deeper connection with the natural world.
Celebrate World Poetry Day in the Elementary Classroom
Children’s Poetry Books
Poetry Writing Around the World

Seville Fair, Spain
2026-04-21
The Seville Fair (Feria de Abril) is one of Spain’s most famous and vibrant festivals, typically held in April, two weeks after Easter.
Originating in 1847 as a livestock fair, it has evolved into a grand celebration of Andalusian culture, featuring flamenco dancing, bullfights, parades, and colorful processions. The fair is held at a specially constructed fairground in Seville, with hundreds of decorated casetas (private tents) where families and friends gather to eat, drink, and dance. The event is marked by traditional attire, such as flamenco dresses for women and traje corto (short jackets) for men. It’s a lively and joyful celebration of Andalusian music, dance, and heritage.

International Mother Earth Day
2026-04-22
International Mother Earth Day is celebrated each year on April 22nd. It is a day to reflect on the importance of our Earth and its life-sustaining ecosystems.

Çocuk Bayrami, Turkey
2026-04-23
Çocuk Bayrami is a Turkish holiday also known as National Sovereignty and Children’s Day.
It honors the founding of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey and is dedicated to children, symbolizing the importance of the younger generation in the country’s future.

Gathering of Nations
2026-04-24
The Gathering of Nations is one of the largest powwows in North America, bringing together Native American and Indigenous peoples to celebrate their diverse cultures through traditional dance, music, and arts. This annual event, held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, serves as a vibrant and significant gathering that fosters unity, cultural exchange, and the sharing of traditions among Indigenous communities.

ANZAC Day
2026-04-25
ANZAC Day commemorates the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) soldiers who served and sacrificed their lives in conflicts and wars. The day is marked by memorial services, dawn vigils, and parades to honor the bravery and contributions of these servicemen and women.

World Penguin Day
2026-04-25
World Penguin Day is a day to celebrate and raise awareness about these fascinating flightless birds and their habitats. The date coincides with the annual northward migration of Adelie penguins, signaling the end of the Antarctic summer and the beginning of the winter migration.

Freedom Day, South Africa
2026-04-27
Freedom Day in South Africa commemorates the first democratic elections held in 1994, which marked the end of apartheid and the beginning of a free and equal society.
Explore South Africa.
Mandela Day: 67 Minutes of Service

Koningsdag (King's Day), Netherlands
2026-04-27
Koningsdag, or King’s Day, is a national holiday in the Kingdom of the Netherlands marking the birth of King Willem-Alexander.
Koningsdag is known for its nationwide vrijmarkt (free market) where secondhand items are sold. It’s also a chance for oranjegekte (orange madness) for the national color, when people dye their hair orange for the celebration.

International Dance Day
2026-04-29
International Dance Day is celebrated every year on April 29th, the birthday of Jean-Georges Noverre (1727-1810) – the creator of modern ballet. The mission is to celebrate and bring people together with a common language – dance.

International Jazz Day
2026-04-30
In 2011, The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization officially designated April 30th as International Jazz Day. People and communities from all over the world come together to celebrate jazz as an art.

Poem in Your Pocket Day
2026-04-30
Poem in Your Pocket Day takes place during National Poetry Month in April.
Celebrate by selecting a poem, carrying it with you, and sharing it with others throughout the day! #pocketpoem

Lei Day
2026-05-01
Lei Day honors Hawaii’s people and their unique heritage. The common celebration of Lei Day includes giving gifts of leis to others.
