These don’t have to be done on any specific day! But in case you want to, here’s something to do every day in September.

Free Games and Activities for Each Day in September

September 1 – American Chess Day

Teach your kids to play chess today! Can’t remember how to play? Don’t worry, we’ve rounded up the best teaching websites and apps: many are free, too!

September 2 – Labor Day

Happy Labor Day! Fun fact: Labor Day was declared a national holiday by Congress in 1894 to honor the nation's workers. It’s become a long weekend that officially marks the transition from summer to back-to-school and fall.

Lots of families take an annual camping trip this weekend; whether you’re in the woods or at home, it’s a fun time to make a campfire (or light some candles!) and sing some funny campfire songs.

Milk and lemon juice are all you need to make invisible ink! Photo by Ally Noel

September 3 – Write a message in invisible ink

It’s after Labor Day and pretty much all schools are back by this week. Want to make writing more fun? Write in invisible ink! This low-tech invisible ink science experiment lets kids send secret messages to friends and family.

September 4 – Eat an Extra Dessert Day

Well, this is just about everyone’s favorite holiday! Pick one of these no-bake desserts that are easy enough for kids to make by themselves and let everyone have an extra helping.

September 5 – Cheese Pizza Day

It’s almost Friday and that’s a perfect day to take a break from dinner planning and either order a pizza or make cheese pizzas at home, together. Start with our favorite no-knead dough, and then let kids go crazy customizing with favorite cheeses and other toppings.

September 6 – National Read a Book Day

I like this holiday even better than Extra Dessert Day; reading aloud to my kids is my favorite thing on the planet. Pick a book from our guide to all the best books for kids – from board books to banned books to LGBTQ books and more, we’ve got a recommendation for everyone.

September 7 – Snuggle with some Saturday morning cartoons!

Happy first Saturday of the month. You know what Saturday mornings are for? Cartoons and cereal! Make today all about cuddling up together with a favorite show. Need a suggestion? Here are our 100 top TV shows for kids, featuring loads of classic classic and modern classic cartoons.

September 8 – National Grandparent’s Day

It’s National Grandparents Day. Call your grandparents, visit them, or Zoom with them, and ask them these questions.

Meanwhile, here’s a question for you: what do your kids call their grandparents?

September 9 – Teddy Bears Day

Teddy bears can mean any stuffed lovey or beloved toy, and today’s a great day to celebrate them, in whatever fashion your child chooses. Throw a tea party, dance party, or slumber party with all your favorite stuffed animals today.

September 10 – Have a Taco Tuesday!

Taco Tuesdays are loads of fun; simply get some crunch shells or soft and warm tortillas and stuff them with your favorite fillings. Here are our favorite recipes to get you started: The Only 5 Taco Recipes You’ll Ever Need.

September 11 – Make Your Bed Day

My Grandma, who was a nurse, taught me how to make my bed with hospital corners. Now I have a simple duvet to just pull up! However you make your bed, teach your kids and then go around the house making everyone’s bed look shipshape. Then see how many days in a row everyone can make their beds. It’s a great habit you can’t start too soon.

September 12 – Chocolate Milkshake Day

Make a milkshake for an after-school snack or dessert. Load it up with whipped cream, sprinkles, and even a cherry on top!

September 13 – Friday the 13th

Today is Friday the 13th! Here are 13 fun ways to celebrate:

1. Wear blue; it’s considered a lucky color that gives protection from evil!

2. Order a baker's dozen (13) of donuts for breakfast.

3. Watch a scary (or ever so slightly spooky) movie.

4. Tell ghost stories!

5. Go to the 13th floor of a nearby building. Did you know many buildings skip the 13th floor?

6. Go to the park or your backyard and hunt for a four-leaf clover.

7. Bury 13 pennies in the ground; it’s supposed to bring good luck with money!

8. Knock wood!

9. Find a penny, pick it up, all the day you’ll have good luck. Go on a penny hunt outside!

10. If you can catch a leaf as it falls from a tree, before it hits the ground, you can make a wish on it. Good thing it’s autumn and leaves are falling!

11. Take on some beginners' luck, by trying a game you’ve never played.

12. Throw a party and invite 13 guests (stuffed animals or pets definitely count to help make up the numbers!).

13. Learn how to call the fear of Friday the 13th what it is: friggatriskaidekaphobia

September 14 – Coloring Day

After all the excitement of Friday the 13th, you need a nice relaxing, safe day of coloring. Here are some FREE coloring pages to download, print, and color.d

September 15 – First Day of Hispanic Heritage Month

We’ve rounded up the best ways to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month today, this month, or any day!

See what you can make with playdough—homemade or store-bought!

September 16 – National Playdough Day

Make your own playdough at home with our easy recipe and how-to video.

September 17 – Apple Dumpling Day

It’s September, have you gone apple picking yet? Take a fun family day trip to go apple picking and make your own apple dumplings with freshly picked apples! Here are our favorite apple recipes kids can make. (Can I just make a personal pitch for trying the Apfelpfannkuchen ASAP? It's our family's go-to meal when we're out of groceries and need something the whole family adores.)

September 18 – Shake off some stress

Back-to-school time can be a stressful time. Take an hour today to peruse our list of stress-reducing activities for kids, pick one, and enjoy feeling those troubles melt away.

Spend the day talking, walking, dressing, eating, and acting like a pirate!

September 19 – Talk Like a Pirate Day

Arrr, mateys! You can celebrate in small ways, like eating some Pirate Booty while watching a favorite pirate movie, or celebrate big by dressing and talking like pirates all day!

September 20 – Fall leaf printing

Go outside and collect some fall leaves and make fall leaf prints, by following our easy video tutorial.

September 21 – World Gratitude Day

Practicing gratitude is important, every day, in every way. One of my family’s favorite ways to think about things we’re grateful for is playing the Alphabet Gratitude Game. Here’s how to play!

September 22 – First Day of Fall/Autumnal Equinox

As of today, it’s truly fall, so celebrate by doing something fall! Check your local guide to fall festivals, day trips, getaways, and more, and pick something fun to do. Or just toodle over to your local coffee shop for a pumpkin spice drink!

September 23 – International Day of Sign Languages

Many of us went sign language crazy when our kids were babies, teaching them a few signs to help communicate their needs before they were verbal. But then we often let that learning drop. As a family today, try to learn a few more ways to communicate using ALS: the alphabet or some useful words so you can sign each other little hidden messages when you’re out and about.

September 24 – World Bollywood Day

Branch out beyond Disney and Pixar flicks, and watch a fun Bollywood movie tonight with your kids! Here’s a great list of kid-friendly Bollywood movies.

September 25 – Comic Book Day

Comic books are a great way into a lifelong love of the written word. From old-school Calvin and Hobbes or Archie comic books to Tiny Titans and manga – not to mention fabulous graphic novels for kids of all ages, there are loads of great comics for kids to choose from. Visit a local comic book store or library and get a stack today!

September 26 – Pancake Day

Pancakes for breakfast or pancakes for dinner. Or both! Whether you make pancakes from a mix or try my favorite unique pancake recipe my family has become obsessed with: Japanese fluffy pancakes!

September 27 – National Doodle Day

You don’t have to be an artist to draw! Get out pens, pencils, paper, crayons, markers, whatever you like, and have the whole family doodle together. Your doodles can be as simple as figure 8s that overlap or as complicated as full-page drawings. Let your imagination fly and get creative as a family. If you’re not sure how to get started, check out this how-to, which will give you plenty of ideas for what to doodle!

September 28 – National Good Neighbor Day

When was the last time you just knocked on your neighbor’s door and brought them cookies? Make today the day. Or just knock on the door of a neighbor you don’t know very well and introduce yourself.

September 29 – Go on a Scavenger Hunt

We've got ideas to help you plan a scavenger hunt, devise scavenger hunt clues, and everything else you need to get started. You can just print out one of our FREE printable scavenger hunts and go!

September 30 – International Podcast Day

Undoubtedly, you have a favorite podcast. But do your kids? Make this afternoon or evening a time to curl up and listen to a few great podcasts for kids, and pick a favorite to download before your next road trip or visit to the dentist!