At Practically Family, you’ll often see us marking national days, cultural celebrations and little moments of interest throughout the year. Sometimes it’s a craft, sometimes a game, sometimes a conversation or a shared story.
Why? Because celebrations are a brilliant way to help children feel connected; to themselves, to each other and to the wider world.
Here’s why they matter so much to us.
Having a celebrations calendar helps us reflect and embrace the community we live in. By acknowledging a wide range of cultural, national and seasonal events, we help children (and adults) feel seen, represented and included.
It sends a simple but powerful message: you belong here.
Celebrating together opens the door to conversations about different traditions, values and ways of life. Children begin to understand that not everyone celebrates the same things in the same way and that’s something to be curious about, not wary of.
Through shared celebrations, children naturally learn to be open-minded, kind and empathetic, developing respect for people whose experiences may be different from their own.
When we celebrate together, we create shared moments. Those moments build a sense of belonging and connection, something children need just as much as structure and routine.
Celebrations remind children that they are part of a community, and that being part of something bigger can feel safe, joyful and reassuring.
Many celebrations are rooted in stories, traditions and values that have been shared for generations. When children experience these, whether through storytelling, music, food or play, they begin to understand how identity is shaped over time.
This helps children form a sense of who they are, where they come from and how traditions connect people across generations.
Cultural celebrations often bring new music, foods, colours, stories and experiences into children’s lives - things they might not otherwise encounter.
This sparks curiosity about the world and turns learning into something joyful and memorable, rather than something that feels like a task. A single celebration can become a launchpad for crafts, games, questions, conversations and creative play.
By celebrating a wide range of events - big and small - we reinforce that all cultures, traditions and experiences are valued.
This supports equality and inclusion in a very real, everyday way, helping children grow up understanding that difference is something to be respected and celebrated.
Quite simply, celebrating feels good.
It brings people together, supports positive mental health and creates happy memories that children carry with them. In busy weeks or quieter seasons, a small celebration can lift the mood and give everyone something to look forward to.
Celebrations also help children make sense of the passing of time. Through seasonal events and recurring celebrations, children begin to understand concepts like change, cycles and the rhythm of the year. This builds familiarity and anticipation - two things that help children feel secure.
Through celebrating together, children practise important social skills: taking turns, sharing, listening, showing kindness and joining in as part of a group.
Over time, these experiences help children grow into socially aware, emotionally secure and confident individuals, all while having fun.
Not every celebration needs a party or a big build-up. Sometimes it’s a conversation, a craft, a game or a moment of recognition.
What matters is the meaning behind it.
For us, celebrations are about connection, curiosity and joy and they’re one of the many ways we help children learn about the world while feeling safe, valued and excited to be part of it.
To help you celebrate at home, we’ve created a 2026 Family Celebrations Calendar, full of national days, cultural celebrations and easy activity ideas to enjoy with children all year round.
DOWNLOAD HERE
Here’s why they matter so much to us.
Celebrations Help Everyone Feel Welcome
Having a celebrations calendar helps us reflect and embrace the community we live in. By acknowledging a wide range of cultural, national and seasonal events, we help children (and adults) feel seen, represented and included.
It sends a simple but powerful message: you belong here.
They Build Understanding, Respect and Empathy
Celebrating together opens the door to conversations about different traditions, values and ways of life. Children begin to understand that not everyone celebrates the same things in the same way and that’s something to be curious about, not wary of.
Through shared celebrations, children naturally learn to be open-minded, kind and empathetic, developing respect for people whose experiences may be different from their own.
Celebrations Strengthen Community and Belonging
When we celebrate together, we create shared moments. Those moments build a sense of belonging and connection, something children need just as much as structure and routine.
Celebrations remind children that they are part of a community, and that being part of something bigger can feel safe, joyful and reassuring.
They Pass Stories and Values Between Generations
Many celebrations are rooted in stories, traditions and values that have been shared for generations. When children experience these, whether through storytelling, music, food or play, they begin to understand how identity is shaped over time.
This helps children form a sense of who they are, where they come from and how traditions connect people across generations.
Celebrations Make Learning Fun and Memorable
Cultural celebrations often bring new music, foods, colours, stories and experiences into children’s lives - things they might not otherwise encounter.
This sparks curiosity about the world and turns learning into something joyful and memorable, rather than something that feels like a task. A single celebration can become a launchpad for crafts, games, questions, conversations and creative play.
They Support Equality and Inclusion
By celebrating a wide range of events - big and small - we reinforce that all cultures, traditions and experiences are valued.
This supports equality and inclusion in a very real, everyday way, helping children grow up understanding that difference is something to be respected and celebrated.
Celebrations Bring Joy
Quite simply, celebrating feels good.
It brings people together, supports positive mental health and creates happy memories that children carry with them. In busy weeks or quieter seasons, a small celebration can lift the mood and give everyone something to look forward to.
They Help Children Understand Time and Seasons
Celebrations also help children make sense of the passing of time. Through seasonal events and recurring celebrations, children begin to understand concepts like change, cycles and the rhythm of the year. This builds familiarity and anticipation - two things that help children feel secure.
Growing Confident, Socially Aware Children
Through celebrating together, children practise important social skills: taking turns, sharing, listening, showing kindness and joining in as part of a group.
Over time, these experiences help children grow into socially aware, emotionally secure and confident individuals, all while having fun.
A Celebration Doesn’t Have to Be Big to Matter
Not every celebration needs a party or a big build-up. Sometimes it’s a conversation, a craft, a game or a moment of recognition.
What matters is the meaning behind it.
For us, celebrations are about connection, curiosity and joy and they’re one of the many ways we help children learn about the world while feeling safe, valued and excited to be part of it.
To help you celebrate at home, we’ve created a 2026 Family Celebrations Calendar, full of national days, cultural celebrations and easy activity ideas to enjoy with children all year round.
DOWNLOAD HERE
Practically Family
07939 942334 (during Holiday Club weeks only)
