Did you know that every fourth Sunday in July is National Parents Day?
Established in 1994 when President Bill Clinton signed a Congressional Resolution into law, National Parents’ Day is more than just a calendar holiday. It’s a heartfelt reminder of the sacrifices, unconditional love, and lifelong guidance that parents offer their children. Unlike Mother’s Day or Father’s Day, which focus on individual parents, Parents’ Day celebrates the teamwork and shared responsibility of parenting—regardless of whether that looks like a mom and dad, two moms, two dads, grandparents, or other guardians who step into the parenting role.
Ways to Celebrate National Parents’ Day
Whether you are a parent, a child, or simply someone who appreciates the influence of parental figures in your life, there are many meaningful ways to celebrate National Parents’ Day:
- Write a heartfelt letter or card. Expressing gratitude with your own words can be one of the most powerful gifts. Even a text can mean a lot!
- Spend quality time together. Make meaningful but easy plans to spend time together like a meal, walk, or movie.
- Give the gift of rest. Parents rarely get time off—consider giving them a break from chores or responsibilities for the day.
- Volunteer or donate in their honor. Supporting causes that uplift families is a great way to spread the spirit of the day.
Looking for some fun & creative ideas for special time together?
- Create a family scrapbook or memory video. Compile favorite moments, photos, or video clips as a tribute to the journey of parenting.
- Re-create a family photo. Find an old family photo and re-create it using similar outfits or props!
- Go on a scavenger hunt. Divide into teams or do it together. Make a list (or look online) of things to find and photograph and then set a timer and head out! Whoever gets the most pictures win! It's fun to cast the images to the TV and see them together.
- Make ice cream in a bag together. See my previous article for the recipe! With a few simple ingredients, you can make some yummy homemade ice cream.
- Watch a movie in a creative way. Set a movie up outside and watch after dark. Or perhaps make a fort in the living room and watch it from there. Or create cars from cardboard boxes and have a "drive-in" theatre experience.
- Interviewing. Have the kids create & ask you interview questions so they can learn more about you. Or use these questions and interview grandparents.
- Have a "nailed it" style baking competition. Let the laughs begin!
- Try not to laugh competition. Everyone makes (or finds) a list of jokes. Have 2 people sit face to face. They go back and forth telling a joke until the other person laughs. Rotate through people making sure everyone gets to go. Keep points. Loser has to do a dare!
- Lip Sync battle. Everyone chooses a song they know by heart and has 30 minutes to throw together a costume and props. Then take turns performing!
- Pull up and play a "name that tune" game on YouTube.
A Moment of Thanks
On National Parents’ Day, we pause to thank those who have guided, nurtured, and protected us. Whether through quiet sacrifices or loud cheers from the sidelines, parents help us become who we are—and who we are still becoming.
So this July, take a moment to say “thank you” to the people who helped raise you. After all, love, support, and guidance are the most powerful gifts a parent can give—and they deserve to be celebrated.
