March is one of those in-between months. For many of us, it’s the transition from winter to spring. Snowstorms give way to rain showers, daylight stretches a little longer each evening … and then there are those magical days when you can actually smell spring in the air.
But the changing season isn’t the only thing happening in March. From fun traditions to meaningful observances, here are 10 family-friendly March holidays and events your family can celebrate or learn more about this month.
➡️ Looking for even more family-friendly things to do this month? Check out our events calendar.
MARCH 2: Read Across America Day & HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DR. SEUSS
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"You're never too old, too wacky, too wild,
to pick up a book and read with a child."
Millions of children have learned to read through the creative genius of Dr. Seuss. So it makes sense that the National Education Association (NEA) would choose Dr. Seuss's Birthday (March 2) as Read Across America Day, a celebration of literacy to encourage and motivate children to get excited about reading.
Reading daily with a child does require parents, older siblings, and other caring adults to add yet another hat to the many they already wear in caring for and raising a child. But by adding the reading hat to your collection, you also add great rewards:
- Children who are read to at home have a higher success rate in school.
- Children who read frequently develop stronger reading skills.
- Families who read together for 20 minutes per day get over 120 hours of extra bonding time each year.
You can celebrate by visiting your local library or book store and reading together as a family. Since it's Dr. Seuss' birthday, curl up with one of his books! Click HERE for a list of favorite Dr. Seuss stories, categorized by age.
HAVE A PARTY!! Read a book, make a craft and eat some wacky treats to celebrate Dr. Seuss Day!
Read Across America Day is the perfect time to celebrate the magic of books and inspire a lifelong love of reading in kids. But why stop at just one book? Turn reading into an adventure — one that takes your family across all 50 states. March 2
➡️ Get the list: Read Across America: 50 Kids' Books, One for Each State
MARCH 2-4 : PURIM
The holiday of Purim is exuberant, colorful, and full of pure joy. Purim is celebrated every year on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar. For 2023, it begins at sundown on Monday, March 6, and lasts until sundown on Tuesday, March7. According to the Book of Esther in the Bible, Queen Esther and her uncle, Mordecai, foiled wicked Haman's plans to kill all the Jews. Purim celebrates this event with feasting and merriment. Often described as "Jewish Halloween," it is customary for Jews to dress up in costume to allude to the miracle of the holiday. Even if your family does not celebrate this holiday, it's fun and educational to learn why others do.
Want to know more about Purim?
➡️Watch this 5 minute video for an intro to this Jewish holiday:
There are four observances of Purim:
- Hear the Megillah, the complete story of how Mordecai and Queen Esther saved the Jewish people from the hands of the wicked Haman. You can also read the book of Ester in the Bible which tells this story. The story is read twice, once at night and a second time on Purim Day. It is customary to make noise with graggers and boo Haman when his name is read. Some people write Haman on the soles of their shoes and stomp their feet each time his name is read.
- Give gifts of food to friends. The gifts should include at least two different types of food such as Hamentashen cookies and juice. Kids love this holiday because they get to dress up in their favorite costumes to deliver the gifts.
- Give Tzedekah (money or charity) to two or more poor people, or put two or more coins into the donation box of a favorite charity.
- Eat and rejoice! Partake in a big meal with family and friends, sing songs, tell the story of Purim, and celebrate!
➡️Click for the recipe for HAMENTASHEN COOKIES.
➡️Click for directions to make a PLASTIC CUP GRAGGER OR NOISE MAKER.
MARCH 4: NATIONAL PANCAKE DAY!
➡️Celebrate with a FREE short stack of Buttermilk Pancakes at any IHOP or stay at home and make your own with our delicious recipes HERE.
MARCH 8: INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY
This is a great day to remind your daughters they can be anything — and your sons that strength looks like respect, empathy, and leadership. Learn about a woman who changed the world and talk about how your kids can make their own impact someday. March is also Women's History Month.
MARCH 8: DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME (2nd Sunday in March)
 Getty Images Pro | Canva |
It's time to spring forward! That means you set your clocks ahead an hour, which means the sun sets at a later hour, which means ... summer is on its way!
➡️Click HERE to learn 4 more important things to do today.
MARCH 12: NATIONAL POPCORN LOVER'S DAY ( the second Thursday in March)
Nothing says movie night more than popcorn! There's basic popcorn with butter, of course, but that can be so booorrriing. Instead, my family likes to experiment with flavorings or mix in a sweet treat. Some of our favorites are Pizza Pop, Snickerdoodle, Ranch, French Onion and Chili Cheese.
➡️CLICK HERE To see these recipes and more
MARCH 14: Pi Day
Celebrate Pi Day with pie — obviously. We’ve rounded up more than 3.14 ways to celebrate Pi Day (we couldn’t resist), from baking together to fun math-themed activities that actually make numbers exciting.
Need another reason to celebrate March 14? It also happens to be Albert Einstein’s birthday.
➡️Even if math isn't your thing, CLICK HERE for 4 easy, fun and actually educational ways to celebrate with your kids.
(There's pie involved, see what I did there)
MARCH 17: EVERYONE IS IRISH ON ST. PATRICK'S DAY!
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➡️☘️ Get a free letter from Lucky the Leprechaun, personalized just for your child!
➡️Read our 18 WAYS TO CELEBRATE ST PATRICK'S DAY WITH KIDS and don't forget to wear green today!
If you are going to a parade or staying home, we have the perfect St. Patrick's Day meal to celebrate:
MARCH 18: NATIONAL SLOPPY JOE DAY
➡️These Sloppy Joes are not only kid-pleasers, but also easy to make. There is a good chance that you have most of these ingredients on hand already.
Ingredients:
1 pound ground beef or turkey
1 onion, chopped
1 tbsp white vinegar
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp yellow mustard
3/4 cup ketchup
1 tsp brown sugar
4-5 rolls
Butter for rolls
Directions:
- Over medium-high heat, brown the ground beef; once fully cooked drain off the fat.
- Add chopped onion to the pan with ground beef and sauté for an additional 3 to 4 minutes or until onion starts to soften.
- Next add vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, ketchup and brown sugar - stir until combined. Bring to a simmer.
- Simmer over medium-low heat for approximately 30 minutes, stirring often.
- In a separate pan, grill buttered rolls until golden brown.
- Scoop meat on grilled buttered roll and serve hot with extra napkins!
MARCH 20: First Day of Spring
➡️Watch the National Geographic video above to learn about equinoxes.
➡️Celebrate by making plans for outdoor adventures, or planting something new.
MARCH 21: World Down Syndrome Day
World Down Syndrome Day is observed the 21st day of the 3rd month each year to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome causing Down syndrome. On this day, people with Down syndrome along with their families and friends participate in activities and events to raise public awareness and advocate for people with Down syndrome. You can start at home by helping your child learn to embrace differences in all.
➡️Learn 3 Tips to Help Your Child Embrace Disability (in others).
➡️Read Celebrating Our Children With Down Syndrome
➡️ Read: Embracing Disability. Tips from a Mom
MARCH 21: National Single Parent's Day
Take a moment to support a single parent in your life. Offer to bring a meal, help with childcare, or simply remind them they’re doing an incredible job. Sometimes being seen and appreciated is the greatest gift.
➡️ Read: The Challenges and Rewards of Being a Single Parent
MARCH 29: NATIONAL MOM & POP BUSINESS OWNERS DAY
National Mom & Pop Business Owners Day is an opportunity to celebrate the family-owned businesses that make communities diverse and vibrant. These are the small businesses that might not make the news often, but are creating jobs, reinvesting in our community, and supporting local nonprofits and initiatives. Support your favorite mom and pop business today!
Remember: Advertising by local businesses is what enables us to provide Macaroni Kid to families every week at no charge. When you support a small business, you are supporting your locally owned Macaroni Kid also! Below, please find a list of local businesses that support us. We hope you will support them also!
Autrey Mill Nature Preserve
Club SciKidz
Bach to Rock Johns Creek
Bach to Rock Alpharetta
Forefront Arts
Johns Creek Books & Gifts
Just Kids Skills Camps
Kids 4 Coding
Science Akademeia
Threaded From Heaven
Tiny Towne
MARCH 30: TAKE A WALK IN THE PARK DAY
➡️Visit one of our local city or county parks or take a walk on one of the many beautiful local trails.
The City of Johns Creek has completed installation of a StoryWalk in Shakerag Park! A children’s StoryWalk is mounted on signs along a walking path, so that kids and their families can read the story as they walk the path. This concept was developed by a woman in Vermont who wanted to encourage childhood literacy and physical movement. The book featured at Shakerag Park is “We Don’t Eat Our Classmates” by Ryan Higgins.
➡️Enjoy the FREE StoryWalk as you take a walk along the path at Shakerag Park!
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