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FUN DAYS IN FEBRUARY TO CELEBRATE WITH YOUR FAMILY

By Becky Samford, Publisher Duluth, Norcross, Suwanee, Johns Creek & Peachtree Corners Macaroni Kid January 30, 2022

February is the shortest month of the year. But it's certainly not short of reasons to celebrate! If you think the only holiday this month is Valentine's Day, read on to discover fourteen more family-friendly holidays and events this month!

ALL MONTH:  FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH 


The list of influential African-Americans to learn about and celebrate goes on and on.
Read about some who changed America in our list of BOOKS & MOVIES TO CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH …AND ALWAYS.


ALL MONTH: FEBRUARY IS FIND YOUR FAMILY FUN MONTH


Today (and every day this month!) is the day to find inexpensive fun! We have you covered with our Macaroni Kid Event Calendar, filled with FREE or low-cost local family-friendly events.


FEBRUARY 1: CHINESE NEW YEAR

On February 1st, we say goodbye to the Year of the Ox and usher in the Year of the Tiger, the third animal of the Chinese Zodiac. Because there are so many traditions and foods, this is a fun holiday to celebrate with your family even if you are not Chinese! For more information and tips on celebrating, click HERE.


FEBRUARY 2: GROUNDHOG DAY 


Forget Punxsutawney Phil!  Atlanta has our own forecasting groundhog, General Beauregard Lee!  With a 94% accuracy rate, if he sees his shadow, it's six more weeks of winter.   Click HERE for info to watch him.
Get the kids excited by reading Mr. Groundhog Wants the Day Off by Pat Vojta


FEBRUARY 4: HOMEMADE SOUP DAY

Bean Ham Soup Instant Pot Bone Broth

Nothing warms you up on a cold day like a nice bowl of homemade soup! Try some of our favorites from Macaroni Kid EATS! Click HERE for some yummy recipes.


FEBRUARY 4-20: Beijing 2022 Olympics

There are 109 events scheduled during the Beijing 2022 Olympics. NBC will carry highlights each evening, but if you just can't get enough Olympics? You're in luck: You can catch a livestream of every single event on Peacock, NBC's streaming service.


FEBRUARY 5: NATIONAL BUBBLEGUM DAY

The largest bubble gum bubble ever blown was 50.8 centimeters (20 inches) in diameter. Chad Fell of Haleyville, Alabama blew the bubble with three pieces of Dubble Bubble on April 24, 2004 at Double Springs High School in Winston County, Alabama. Grab some gum and see if you can beat his record!!


FEBRUARY 9: NATIONAL PIZZA DAY

Celebrate one of America’s all-time favorite foods. In fact, 350 slices are eaten every second! Whether it is thin crust, Chicago-style, deep dish or anything in between, pizza is an American favorite! This summer we ran a recipe for family style GRILLED PIZZA, but you could easily just cook it in your oven. Or for something really different, try easy PIZZA WAFFLESBREAKFAST PIZZA OR PIZZA CASSEROLE!

Don't want to cook? No problem! Just order an authentic hand-crafted pizza from O4W PIZZA in downtown Duluth!


FEBRUARY 13: SUPERBOWL SUNDAY


We'll be there for the commercials, the food, and, oh yeah, the game itself. Football games just aren't the same without wings. This year put a twist on those messy wings with these fabulous BUFFALO CHICKEN MEATBALLS

Today is also the day for Animal Planet's 18th annual Puppy Bowl!Turn in on Sunday, Feb. 13 at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT. The three-hour event will feature 70 adoptable puppies from 22 animal shelters and rescue organizations.  Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg will be hosting the canine sports spectacular again this year while throwing the ultimate tailgate party. All of the puppies and kittens that have participated in Puppy Bowl previously have wound up being adopted and hopefully this year's roster will find their forever families too!


FEBRUARY 14: VALENTINE'S DAY


I don't want expensive flowers or a date night when Valentine's Day rolls around... I just want some family fun! Check out our SEVEN WAYS TO CELEBRATE VALENTINE'S DAY WITH YOUR KIDS! 
Of course, if you think I need some chocolate also, you cannot go wrong with some decadent hand-painted truffles from The Chocolaterie in downtown Duluth!
End the day reading PETE THE CAT: VALENTINE'S DAY IS COOL by James Dean. (Johns Creek Books & Gifts has a large selections of Pet the Cat books and toys)

Tell the ones you love something special with a Valentine Countdown:

  • Create a large heart from colored paper with the words "I love you because..." printed on it and tape it to their bedroom door, the fridge, the bathroom mirror or where ever you'd like.
  • Next, prepare smaller hearts for each day of your "countdown." Then, each night leading up to Valentine's Day (February 14th), write a special message for them to find the next morning.  

Create memories. Share love. Encourage smiles. There's no better way to start the day.


FEBRUARY 17: RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS DAY


No reason to complicate it. Random acts of kindness can be so simple: Pay for the person behind you in the drive-thru line. Give your garbage collector, mailman or UPS driver a cold drink. Compliment a coworker, your husband, your child or your friend, on a job well done. Send a thank you note to health care workers, local fire and police departments or any military personnel. 

“Remember there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.” (Scott Adams)


FEBRUARY 18-21: ANNUAL GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT

People from around the world count the birds they see for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the count. If you have a smartphone, they recommend you using the Merlin Bird ID app to enter your first bird. Merlin covers bird species from 7 continents. It is FREE and easy to use. Click HERE for instructions.

Click for more information about the GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT.

February is also National Bird Feeding Month. Kids will love watching the birds eat from the Birdfeeders they have made! Both of these feeders are easy to make: MILK CARTON FEEDER or COOKIE CUTTER FEEDERS. You can also just string Cheerios or Fruit Loops onto pipe cleaners, twist to form a loop and hang them on the trees! 


FEBRUARY 20: NATIONAL LOVE YOUR PET DAY

This is Daisy! Every day is National Love Your Pet Day to her! Spend today pampering your pet with some extra TLC and reap the benefits, such as stress relief and lower blood pressure. More households have dogs than cats, but it's close and there are quite a few who prefer birds, reptiles, fish or rats.  So, whoever your pet companion is, give them a little extra love today!


FEBRUARY 21: NATIONAL PRESIDENT'S DAY


Presidents Day was started to recognize George Washington's birthday, but has been expanded to be a federal holiday honoring all American presidents. Great ways to celebrate include watching The Presidents on the History Channel, reading a book about a president that you admire (Great selection at Johns Creek Books & Gifts), learning to name all of the presidents in order (click HERE for list) , or maybe dreaming about becoming president yourself by reading SOFIA VALDEZ, FUTURE PREZ by Andrea Beaty. 


FEBRUARY 27: NATIONAL RETRO DAY


Yep, this really is a holiday, founded to take a look back at how life was before social media, the internet and smartphones became a necessity of our daily lives. Turn them all off (including the tv) and spend the day interacting with your children. Kids LOVE to see photos of their parents when they were young. Today is the perfect opportunity to dig them out and show what you looked like when you were your child's age or a teenager rocking some bell bottoms and platform shoes or maybe a leather jacket and a single glove were more your style. Don't stop with photos. Put on some oldies and teach your kids the dances that were popular when you were in high school. My kids loved learning to swing dance! This is also a great time to talk about how everyday life was different. Which things that we take for granted today, were not yet invented when you were young? My kids still don't understand why I say "hang up the phone". (LOL!) For an extra bonus, invite the grandparents over to join the discussion!! Whatever your retro is, wear it, drive it, or play it on Retro Day!



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