Minds On

Family fun time

Family playing a board game together

Press the following tabs to explore how families can have fun together!

An adult and a child work together in a kitchen, preparing food beside bowls of vegetables and other ingredients.

A child and an adult read a book together on a living room floor while another adult sits nearby with a dog.

An adult and a child water plants and work among garden beds in a garden.

Brainstorm

Let the good times roll!

What are some activities that families might do to have fun together?

Throughout this activity, you can record your ideas on the computer, orally, or on paper.

Action

What is a celebration?

A celebration is when you do something special for an event or a holiday.

Each family has their own ways to have fun or celebrate occasions like birthdays and holidays. How they celebrate is not the same from family to family.

Children thinking about different types of celebrations.

Student Tips

Did you know?

Not everyone celebrates the same event the same way.

Press Family Fun to reveal an example!

Some families may have a big party for a birthday with many friends, while others may mark the occasion in a simpler and more private way.

Task 1: My family has fun!

  • Choose something special or a family celebration that your family does.
  • Describe your family activity.
  • You can create a picture or two if you like.

Complete the Family Celebration or Special Event activity in your notebook, using the following fillable and printable document, or using a tool of your choice.

Family Celebration or Special Event

Press the Activity button to access the Family Celebration or Special Event.

Activity(Opens in a new tab)

Task 2: Celebrations

What is a celebration that your family participates in? Why is it important to you?

In this activity, you will learn about various celebrations and choose one that you would like to explore. For example, it could be one that your family, friends, or community celebrates. It can also be one that you would like to know more about.

There could be more celebrations that are not listed in this section. You could explore one of those celebrations as well.

While you explore the celebration, take note of:

  • Who celebrates it?
  • What is the celebration called?
  • When is it celebrated?
  • What are some important traditions associated with the celebration?

You can record your ideas using your notebook, the following fillable and printable Let's Celebrate! document, or use another method of your choice.

Let’s Celebrate!

Press the Activity button to access the Let’s Celebrate!.

Activity(Opens in a new tab)

If you would like some help, press Example to reveal a model of how to complete your task.

Let’s Celebrate model

Name of celebration Who celebrates it? When is it celebrated? Important traditions that are part of the celebration
Example: Name of celebration. Celebrated by (Blank) around the world. Changes every year because of (Blank). Happens in the month of (Blank). People celebrate during the month of (Blank). Enjoy a feast with (Blank) to mark the day.

Seasonal celebrations

There are certain times in the year that families and communities celebrate. Here are some examples of some celebrations by season.

Winter celebrations

Explore each celebration to see some examples of celebrations that happen between December 21st and March 21st every year.

Hanukkah is a Jewish celebration that is often called the Festival of Lights. Hanukkah is celebrated over eight days and eight nights, with a candle lit on each day. People celebrate with fried food and play the dreidel game. This video will help you learn more about the celebration:

This is a Christian holiday that takes place on December 25th. It celebrates the birth of Jesus, which is an important part of the Christian faith. Christmas includes the giving of gifts and the decorating of a Christmas tree. A large meal is often served on Christmas.

Family of 2 parents 2 grandparents & 2 kids having Christmas dinner. A Christmas tree is behind them.

This is an African American and African Canadian celebration from December 26th to January 1st. A candle is lit each day to celebrate one of the seven principles. Families celebrate with feasts, drumming, and dancing. This video will help you learn more about the celebration:

Spring celebrations

Explore each celebration to see some examples of celebrations that happen between March 21st and June 21st every year.

This is a Hindu and Sikh festival that celebrates the end of winter. It also celebrates new beginnings, including newborn babies and newlyweds. People celebrate with a bonfire, traditional dancing, and seasonal treats. This video will help you learn more about the celebration:

This is Thailand’s most famous festival that happens over three days from April 13th to April 15th. It is a water festival to celebrate the Thai New Year. Those who are celebrating get others wet and spend time with their families.

Children celebrating Songkran by splashing water from bowls they are holding at each other.

Easter is a Christian celebration and holiday. It celebrates Jesus rising from the dead. Today, Easter is often celebrated with egg hunts and family gatherings that include a large celebration and a meal.

1 grandparent, 2 parents & 2 kids wearing bunny ears, Easter eggs are on a table in front of them.

Summer celebrations

Explore each celebration to see some examples of celebrations that happen between June 21st and September 21st every year.

This is a day to celebrate Indigenous heritage on June 21st. The celebration involves dancing, storytelling, art markets, and sharing traditional foods. This video will help you learn more about the celebration:

This is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. The dates change every year, but it always lasts one month. This is a time for Muslims to fast (not eat) during the day, pray, and reflect with community members.

Family sitting around a spread of food at nighttime. Their hands are open in prayer.

This is a Muslim religious holiday that marks the end of Ramadan. It is celebrated by gathering with friends and family, sharing traditional foods, and giving to those in need. This video will help you learn more about the celebration:

Autumn celebrations

Explore each celebration to see some examples of celebrations that happen between September 21st and December 21st every year.

This is a Chinese festival held for one day in the middle of Autumn. It is a day for family gatherings when the moon rises. Together they may eat moon cakes and sing moon poems.

Nighttime sky with the full moon & some banner decorations & paper lanterns.

This is a festival celebrated over five days by different communities from India. The celebration involves lighting lanterns and sparklers and enjoying many sweet treats with family and friends. This video will help you learn more about the celebration:

This is an Iranian festival that takes place 100 days before spring. The celebration involves gathering around a large bonfire, singing, dancing, and enjoying a feast. This video will help you learn more about the celebration:

Consolidation

Celebrations Around Us

Families watching fireworks in the sky at nighttime.

Student Tips

Keep in mind

Family traditions are not always the same, even among families celebrating the same holiday or celebration.

Let’s think about what you learned!

Think about the following questions:

  • Why do you think celebrations are important to people?
  • Why is it important to learn about the traditions and celebrations of different communities?

Share your ideas using a method of your choice.

Reflection

How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity? Which of the next four sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.

I feel...

Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.