So, International Women’s Day is rolling around again. It’s March 8th, and if you’re like me, you suddenly realize you want to do something meaningful with the kids that goes beyond just saying “women are great.” We want to actually show them what it means, right? We want to plant those little seeds of appreciation and ambition without it feeling like a boring history lecture.
I’ve been there. Scrolling through Pinterest, looking at complicated crafts that require a hot glue gun and the patience of a saint, and thinking, “Yeah, that’s not happening.” This year, I decided to put together a list of activities that are actually doable. Things that are fun, engaging, and most importantly, celebrate the amazing women in our lives and throughout history without making you want to pull your hair out. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or just the cool aunt or uncle, I’ve got you covered with these 10 International Women’s Day activities for kids.
1. Storytime Switch-Up: Books Featuring Fearless Females
This is probably the easiest place to start. I don’t know about you, but our bookshelf at home is… well, it’s a lot. And for a long time, I didn’t realize how many of the stories featured boys going on adventures while the girls waited to be saved. Once you see it, you can’t unsee it, am I right?
Hit the Library or Your Bookshelf
For International Women’s Day, dedicate storytime to books with strong female leads. We’re talking about real-life heroes and fictional characters who are brave, curious, and determined.
- For the little ones: Look for books like Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty or Malala’s Magic Pencil by Malala Yousafzai. My niece is obsessed with Rosie Revere, Engineer—she even started building “machines” out of cardboard boxes afterward!
- For older kids: Chapter books like The Girl Who Drew Butterflies (about Maria Merian) or Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls are perfect for dipping in and out of.
The best part? You’re just reading a story. There’s no pressure, no worksheet. Just cuddling on the couch and letting the incredible stories of these women do the talking.
2. The “Thank a Woman” Marathon
Kids are naturally empathetic, but sometimes they need a little nudge to express it. This activity is all about connecting the abstract idea of “celebrating women” to the real, flesh-and-blood women in their lives.
Who Makes Their World Awesome?
Grab some paper, markers, and maybe some glitter if you’re feeling brave (or have a vacuum cleaner handy). Ask your child to think about the women who help them every day.
- It could be Mom, Grandma, their teacher, the school librarian, a neighbor, or even their pediatrician.
- Have them draw a picture or write a short letter saying thank you.
- Get specific! Instead of “Thanks for being nice,” encourage them to say, “Thank you for teaching me how to tie my shoes,” or “I love when you read me stories.”
We did this last year and delivered them in person to a few neighbors. The look on our elderly neighbor’s face when she got a crayon drawing of her and my son walking her dog was priceless. It’s a small gesture that packs a huge emotional punch.
3. Role-Play: “What Do You Want to Be?”
This is less of a structured craft and more of a facilitated play session. I’ve noticed that kids often play within the boxes they see. Firefighter, astronaut, teacher… all awesome, but sometimes we need to widen the lens a little for IWD.
Breaking the Career Stereotypes
Set up a little “career corner” with different props. You don’t need anything fancy—a hard hat, a doctor’s kit, a toy laptop, a lab coat (or a white button-down shirt), a stethoscope.
- Ask them, “Who are the women we know who are doctors? Who are the women who build things? Who are the women who run companies?”
- Then, let them play. Watch them become a female astronaut landing on the moon or a woman president signing a new law.
- FYI, this is a great way to subtly challenge their own assumptions. My nephew once said, “Boys are doctors, girls are nurses.” We spent the afternoon with me being a “girl doctor” and him being a “boy nurse.” It was a fun, no-lecture way to show him that all jobs are for everyone.
4. Cook (or Bake) a Family Recipe
Food connects us to our past in a way that few other things can. This is a deliciously personal way to honor the women who came before us. I’m not talking about a gourmet, five-course meal here. Keep it simple.
Grandma’s Famous Cookies
Think about a recipe that’s been passed down in your family or even just a favorite dish that a specific woman in your life makes.
- Call up a grandmother, aunt, or great-aunt and ask for the recipe. Even better, video call them and have them “help” you make it.
- As you cook, tell stories about that person. “This was your grandma’s favorite thing to make for Sunday dinner.”
- If you don’t have a family recipe, pick a dish from a country you want to learn about and talk about the women from that culture.
The smell alone will create a core memory for your kids. Plus, you get to eat cookies. It’s a win-win. 🙂
5. The “Her Story” Scavenger Hunt
This one takes a tiny bit of prep work, but it’s so worth it for the “aha!” moments. The goal is to get kids moving and learning about famous women in a way that feels like a game, not a test.
Clues and Icons
Create a simple scavenger hunt around your house or classroom.
- Print out pictures or small items that represent famous women. For example:
- A tiny paintbrush for Frida Kahlo.
- A picture of a chimpanzee for Jane Goodall.
- A badminton birdie or a tennis ball for Serena Williams.
- A small book for Malala.
- Hide the clues. Each clue leads to the next, and when they find the final item, they get a small prize.
- As they find each clue, take a moment to say, “This paintbrush reminds me of a famous artist named Frida Kahlo. She painted beautiful pictures of herself and her world.”
It turns history into a treasure hunt. I did this with my kids for Amelia Earhart, and my son wore goggles for the rest of the day. Mission accomplished.
6. Make a “Women I Admire” Collage
Arts and crafts time! But with a purpose. This activity helps kids visualize their admiration and think about the qualities they value in people. It’s like a vision board, but for celebrating awesome women.
From Magazines to Masterpieces
Gather a stack of old magazines, newspapers, some printed-out photos of family members, scissors, glue, and a big piece of poster board or construction paper.
- Ask your child to cut out pictures of women they admire. They can be celebrities, athletes, scientists, or just women in magazine ads who look strong or happy.
- Include real photos of family members! Print a picture of Mom, Grandma, or a favorite teacher.
- Glue them all on the board, and write words around them describing why they admire them—words like “brave,” “smart,” “funny,” or “kind.”
Hang it up somewhere prominent for the rest of the month. It’s a constant, beautiful reminder of the amazing women in their world.
7. Watch a Documentary (Yes, for Kids!)
Screen time can be educational time, I swear! There are some absolutely fantastic, kid-friendly documentaries and short films that profile incredible women. It’s a great way to introduce topics that might be hard to explain otherwise.
Curated Viewing
Skip the algorithm and pick something specific. Streaming services are full of great options.
- For nature lovers: Anything narrated by or featuring Jane Goodall or David Attenborough (talk about a man who celebrates women’s work!). There are specifically made-for-kids docs about her work with chimps.
- For aspiring athletes: Look for profiles on athletes like Simone Biles or the US Women’s National Soccer Team.
- For the younger set: Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum on PBS Kids is amazing. It features historical figures, including tons of women like Marie Curie and Eleanor Roosevelt, in a super fun, animated way.
IMO, watching someone’s story unfold on screen can be more powerful than reading about it. It brings their struggles and triumphs to life.
8. Start a “Girl Power” Playlist
Music is the universal language of emotion, right? Creating a playlist of empowering songs by female artists is a fantastic way to celebrate. It’s upbeat, it’s modern, and it gets everyone moving.
Feel-Good Tunes
Get the kids involved in picking the songs. It’s a fun way to see what they connect with.
- Think beyond just “songs by women” and think “songs about strength and confidence.”
- Classics: Aretha Franklin’s “Respect,” Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive.”
- Modern Hits: Songs by artists like Lizzo, Beyoncé, or Dolly Parton (who is a national treasure, and I will not hear otherwise).
- Kid-Friendly Faves: Soundtracks from movies like Moana, Frozen, or Encanto are full of anthems about self-discovery and courage.
Blast it while you’re doing the other activities on this list. It sets such a positive, energetic tone.
9. Plant Something in Her Honor
This is a beautiful, symbolic activity, especially if you’re celebrating a woman who is no longer here. It’s about growth, nurturing, and leaving a legacy—all themes that tie in perfectly with IWD.
Seeds of Strength
You don’t need a garden. A small pot on a windowsill works perfectly.
- Choose a plant together. It could be sunflowers (for strength), marigolds (for passion), or even just some easy-to-grow herbs.
- As you plant the seed, talk about what it represents. “This sunflower is for Grandma. We’re going to watch it grow tall and strong, just like she was.”
- Make it their responsibility to water it and care for it. Every time they do, it’s a small, quiet act of remembrance and appreciation.
It teaches responsibility, connects them to nature, and gives them a living thing to associate with the amazing women in their lives.
10. Write a “Letter to My Future Self”
Okay, this one is for the slightly older kids (maybe 7 and up), but it’s incredibly powerful. It turns the focus inward and asks them to imagine their own potential. It’s not just about celebrating other women; it’s about celebrating the woman they will become.
Dreams and Wishes
Give them a piece of paper, an envelope, and a pen. Ask them to write a letter to their future self.
- What do they hope they will have accomplished?
- What kind of person do they hope to be?
- What advice does their current self have for their future self?
Seal the envelope, write “Do Not Open Until [Date – maybe next IWD or in 5 years]” on the front, and put it somewhere safe. It’s a time capsule of their hopes and dreams, and a reminder that they, too, are part of the story of amazing women.
Conclusion
So there you have it. Ten ideas that range from “zero prep, let’s just talk” to “let’s get a little messy.” The point isn’t to do all of them, or to do them perfectly. The point is to take a moment on March 8th (or any day, really) to intentionally celebrate the contributions, the strength, and the spirit of women everywhere.
Whether you’re reading about a rebel girl, baking your great-aunt’s famous banana bread, or just dancing around the kitchen to some Aretha Franklin, you’re doing the important work. You’re showing the kids in your life that women’s stories matter, that their own dreams are valid, and that celebrating “her” is something we should do every single day.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a sudden craving for cookies and a need to go find my old tennis racket to wave around like Serena. Happy International Women’s Day!
