Hey there! So, International Women’s Day is rolling around again, and you might be staring at the calendar wondering how to explain this to your little ones without delivering a boring history lecture. Am I right?
We want our kids to grow up understanding equality, respect, and the amazing contributions of women, but let’s be real—trying to get a six-year-old to sit still for a PowerPoint presentation on women’s suffrage isn’t going to end well for anyone. (Trust me, I’ve tried the “educational video” route, and I lost them by minute two.)
That’s why I’ve rounded up 10 hands-on Women’s Day activities for kids that actually make celebrating and learning fun. No stuffy textbooks required. Just good old-fashioned play, creativity, and a few “aha!” moments.
1. Read a Book Featuring a Fearless Female
You know what’s easier than trying to explain complex historical concepts? Letting a picture book do the heavy lifting.
Grab some books that highlight strong women—whether they’re scientists, artists, activists, or even fictional characters who break the mold.
Why this works
Kids connect with stories way better than they connect with facts on a timeline. When my daughter first read Rosie Revere, Engineer, she didn’t just learn about perseverance; she started seeing her own “failed” tower blocks as just first attempts.
- Pro-tip: Check your local library for displays they usually set up for Women’s History Month.
- Double win: Snuggle time on the couch counts as an activity. 🙂
Some favorites to get you started:
- Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls by Elena Favilli
- Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty
- Shark Lady by Jess Keating (about Eugenie Clark)
2. Write “Thank You” Letters to Women in Your Community
This one is simple but packs an emotional punch. Sit down with your kids and ask them to think of women who help them in their daily lives. Maybe it’s a teacher, a grandmother, the school bus driver, or the neighbor who always waves hello.
Making it personal
Grab some paper, markers, and stickers. Let the kids go wild with the glitter glue. The messier, the better.
Why I love this activity: It shifts the focus from “famous” women (who are awesome, don’t get me wrong) to the everyday heroes in their own world. It teaches gratitude in a real, tangible way. Plus, have you ever seen a teacher’s face when they get a hand-drawn card for no reason? Pure magic.
3. Host a “Girl Boss” Career Day at Home
Ever wonder what your kids really think you do all day? (Besides “tap on the computer” or “fold laundry”?)
Flip the script. Spend an afternoon letting them “try on” different careers that were historically dominated by men or pioneered by women.
How to set it up
- The Architect: Give them some marshmallows and toothpicks to build a skyscraper. Talk about how women like Zaha Hadid designed amazing buildings.
- The Pilot: Fold paper airplanes and race them. Mention Amelia Earhart.
- The Coder: Use free apps like Scratch Jr. to make a simple animation. Briefly mention Ada Lovelace, the first computer programmer.
You’re basically tricking them into learning while playing. Sneaky, right? IMO, that’s the best kind of parenting win.
4. Movie Night: Watch a Documentary (Yes, Really)
Hold on—don’t click away! I’m not talking about a dry, three-hour documentary. There are some fantastic short films and kid-friendly docs out there.
Curating the watchlist
Look for content from platforms like Rebel Girls or check out the “Women’s History” playlist on YouTube (just preview it first to avoid the weird algorithm suggestions). The key is to keep it short—think 15-20 minutes max for little attention spans.
FYI: My kids were absolutely mesmerized by a short film about Frida Kahlo. Not because of her art politics, but because she had a unibrow and a pet deer. Whatever works, right?
5. Cook a Recipe from a Female Chef
Food brings everyone together. Pick a recipe from a famous female chef like Julia Child (French food!), Maya Angelou (she wrote a mean cookbook alongside her poetry), or even look up recipes from different cultures.
The learning part
While you’re mixing and measuring, talk about how women have always been the backbone of family food traditions, even if they didn’t always get the fancy restaurant titles. Plus, cooking is basically edible science and math.
- Choose something forgiving: Cookies are great. Soufflés? Maybe save that for a day when you have zero distractions. :/
6. Create a “Herstory” Timeline on the Wall
Grab a roll of kraft paper or just use sticky notes. Create a physical timeline on your wall or hallway. Start in the past and go to the present.
Getting hands-on
Have your kids draw pictures or print out photos of women to add to the timeline.
- Ancient Times: A drawing of a female leader or inventor.
- 1800s: A picture of Marie Curie.
- 1900s: Rosa Parks on the bus.
- Today: A selfie of them with their favorite female athlete or singer.
It visually shows them that history isn’t just something in a book; it’s a chain of events leading right up to their own lives. It makes the abstract concept of “history” feel super concrete.
7. The “Role Model” Scavenger Hunt
This is one of those Women’s Day activities for kids that requires a tiny bit of prep but pays off big. Hide facts or pictures of famous women around the house.
How to play
- Write clues like: “I was a spy during the Civil War. Who am I?” (Answer: Harriet Tubman).
- Or: “I wrote books about a boy wizard, but I’m a woman!” (Answer: J.K. Rowling—just maybe skip the recent drama for the kiddos).
Give them a magnifying glass and a clipboard. They’ll feel like detectives. You get a quiet cup of coffee while they run around. Everybody wins.
8. Start a “Change the World” Discussion Over Dinner
Dinner time is prime real estate for conversation. Skip the “how was school?” (answer: “fine”) and ask something meatier.
Conversation starters
- “If you could change one rule in the world to make it fairer for girls and women, what would it be?”
- “Who is a woman you admire, and why?”
You might be surprised by what they come up with. My son once said he’d make a rule that “girls can have pockets as big as boys.” A social justice warrior in the making, folks. LOL.
9. DIY “Girl Power” Posters and Protest Signs
Kids love making signs. Whether it’s for a pretend march around the living room or just to hang on their bedroom door, this activity lets them express themselves.
The creative process
- Materials: Poster board, old cardboard boxes, markers, paint, glitter—go wild.
- Slogans: Help them come up with simple, powerful phrases. “Dream Big,” “Girls Can Do Anything,” or “Kindness is Cool.”
The deeper meaning: It teaches them that using your voice (and your art) to stand up for what you believe in is a powerful tool. Plus, it’s a great way to recycle all that Amazon packaging.
10. Support a Women’s Charity (with Their Allowance)
This is a great way to teach empathy and financial literacy. If your kids get an allowance or have some birthday money, talk to them about donating a small portion to a cause that helps women and girls.
Choosing a cause
- Look for local shelters or organizations.
- Or, find a global charity that provides education or healthcare.
Let them have a say in where the money goes. If they love sports, find a charity that supports female athletes. If they love reading, find one focused on literacy for girls. It makes the donation theirs, not just yours.
Wrapping It Up
Look, you don’t have to do all ten of these. Honestly, picking just one or two of these Women’s Day activities for kids will create a memory and plant a seed. The goal isn’t to create a perfect, Pinterest-worthy moment; it’s to show our kids that the world is full of incredible women—past and present—and that they have the power to shape the future, too.
So, take a breath, pick an activity that actually sounds fun to you, and give it a shot. And if it ends in a glitter explosion and a tantrum? Well, that’s just parenting. At least you tried, and hey—there’s always the cookie recipe to fall back on.
Happy Women’s Day! Now go make some memories.
