Celebrating Labor Day with Toddlers

Labor Day is fast approaching, which likely means a day off for both you and your kids. Labor Day is a day that honors all workers, so taking that much-needed break (if you get one!) is enough celebration in itself. For your kids? It is merely a day they get to stay home from school or daycare! If you want to celebrate Labor Day with your toddlers in a special way this year, there are many ways you can honor the holiday. Keep reading to learn more about how to enjoy Labor Day with toddlers and some tips for a great celebration.

Teaching Your Kids About Labor Day

One of the best ways you can celebrate Labor Day with your toddler is to teach them all about this holiday so that they know why they are home, why you are home, and why it is so important.

Labor Day is a holiday that honors all workers. It also signifies the end of summer. The holiday is celebrated on the first Monday in September in the United States and Canada. Workers of all kinds enjoy the day off. It is a time for them to celebrate all that their work has made possible. The holiday is sometimes observed with parades and speeches, as well as political rallies. Some countries honor workers on May Day, which is celebrated on May 1. Other countries celebrate Labor Day on various days throughout the year. In Australia, the holiday is celebrated on different days in different states. 

Labor Day was first celebrated in the United States in New York City on September 5, 1882. At that first Labor Day, workers paraded in order to show their unity and desire for fair working conditions. The peaceful demonstration involved all types of workers, from seamstresses to bricklayers. They waved banners bearing such slogans as “Labor built this republic and labor shall rule it.” In June 1894, President Grover Cleveland signed a bill into law, making Labor Day a national holiday.

[source: https://kids.britannica.com/kids/article/Labor-Day/353356 }

Thank a Worker

Since Labor Day is all about celebrating workers everywhere, it is very important to take the time to celebrate workers—especially the ones who couldn’t get the day off today. Whether you’re at the gas station, a restaurant, a community event, or anywhere in between, make sure you take time to thank those workers and show your children how to show appreciation on this day.

You can even have your child make a special thank-you card or gift to special workers in their lives. This can be their teacher, healthcare workers, the garbage man, the local fire station, or family members. You can create a handmade card, bake some goodies, or make a special visit to say hi.

We have some fun craft ideas in this blog where you can create special art using bubbles or even a fidget toy. Who doesn’t love a handmade gift given from little tiny hands?

Head to a Community Event

Chances are, there is a community event or neighborhood gathering happening in your area. If not, create your own! Getting together with your community and celebrating all its local workers is a great way to spend the holiday. Have a simple BBQ with some of your neighbors, head to the local park, or have a game night with some friends to celebrate Labor Day and get your kiddos involved. Since Labor Day is the unofficial end to summer, everyone is usually happy to participate in one more summer bash!

If you’re heading out, we have some great on-the-go options for picky toddlers who might not usually like BBQ-type food. Our FlexBox is a great way to pack a meal if you’re going somewhere where you’re not sure they will enjoy the food. It’s leakproof, super durable, and totally customizable with FlexCharmz. You can also pack snacks in our handy stackables and our customizable bento boxes with a removable divider!

Volunteer

Labor Day activities for your kids can bring great lessons, especially if they include volunteering. It doesn’t need to be anything that takes up the whole day, even just a simple act of dropping off goods and supplies or donating piggy bank money to charity is a great way to volunteer your time and resources.

Some examples for volunteering on Labor Day can include:

• Offering your time in your neighborhood’s local parade or event
• Donating food to a local food drive
• Dropping off supplies to your local firehouse
• Dropping off supplies to a local animal shelter
• Donating to causes in your community

Enjoy Some Family Time

Of course, what would a three-day weekend be without spending some family time together at home? The best way to celebrate workers, other than paying them more, would be to let them rest and relax. This includes you!

Doing absolutely nothing other than relaxing with your family on Labor Day is a great way to celebrate. Put on a family movie, bake some cookies, or grill some hot dogs, and enjoy the day with your loved ones! The day is about you after all, and putting your labor on hold for a day. 

Give your kids some bubbles, turn on the sprinklers for some water play, or even make some crafts! 

For more holiday ideas and great family products, visit us at Innobaby.com!