School Activity Ideas for Global Day of Parents: From Letters to Mini Concerts

Every year on June 1, the world observes the Global Day of Parents — a United Nations-recognized occasion that honors the critical role parents play in nurturing and shaping children. For schools, this day offers a golden opportunity to help students reflect on gratitude, express emotions, and engage in meaningful acts of appreciation.

Whether you’re a teacher looking to plan a class activity or a school administrator coordinating a campus-wide event, here are creative, age-appropriate, and impactful activity ideas — from quiet letters to joyful performances — to help your students celebrate the Global Day of Parents with heart and purpose.

1. Gratitude Letter Writing

Ask students to write a handwritten letter or card expressing appreciation to their parents or caregivers. Use guided prompts such as:

• “One thing I love about you is…”
• “I remember when you…”
• “Thank you for always…”

Display the letters in a “Gratitude Corner” in the classroom, or let students take them home in decorated envelopes.

Tip: For younger students, provide sentence starters and allow them to draw pictures.

2. Parent Appreciation Wall

Transform a school corridor or classroom wall into a vibrant Appreciation Mural. Students can contribute:

• Drawings of their parents
• Words that describe them (e.g., strong, kind, funny)
• Thank-you notes written on paper hearts or stars

This visual celebration invites not only participation but also reflection on parental love and effort.

3. Mini Concert or Talent Showcase

Host a short, informal “Parents Day Showcase” during school hours or online:

• Each class can perform a short song, skit, or poem
• Solo or group performances of “Thank You” songs
• Children can create their own “parent anthem” or rewrite lyrics to known tunes

Bonus idea: Record and share the performance with parents via school newsletter or class group chat.

4. “Walk in Their Shoes” Activity

Help students build empathy by asking them to imagine a day in their parent’s life:

• What time do they wake up?
• What jobs or chores do they do?
• What do they worry about?

Then, students can draw or write “A Day in the Life of My Parent” to better understand and appreciate daily sacrifices.

5. Family Tree Crafts

Use paper, leaves, and markers to help students build their own family trees. Encourage them to include not just biological members, but anyone who has played a parenting or caregiving role.

Extension: Have students write one thing they admire about each person on the tree.

6. “Parent Interview” Homework

Assign students to conduct a short interview with a parent or guardian, with questions like:

• “What was school like for you?”
• “What did you dream of becoming when you were my age?”
• “What’s something you’ve learned as a parent?”

The next day, students can share answers (if comfortable) and discuss generational perspectives on parenting and childhood.

7. DIY Gifts: From Art to Affirmations

Have students make thoughtful, handmade gifts such as:

• Framed handprints with a quote like “These hands will never forget your love”
• Bookmarks decorated with thank-you notes
• Jar of Compliments: Fill a jar with tiny notes like “I love how you always read to me”

These gifts are inexpensive, personal, and deeply cherished by parents.

8. Kindness Role-Play and Skits

Divide students into small groups and ask them to act out scenarios showing kindness to parents at home, such as:

• Helping with chores without being asked
• Saying thank you after a meal
• Comforting a tired parent

Afterward, discuss what real-life moments inspired the scenes and how small actions can make a big difference at home.

9. “Thank You” Video Montage

Ask students to record a 10–20 second clip saying thank you or sharing their favorite memory with their parent. Compile the clips into a heartfelt class video to share on June 1.

Privacy tip: Be sure to get parent permission if sharing publicly.

10. Classroom Story Time

Read books that explore parent-child relationships and discuss their themes, such as:

• “Guess How Much I Love You” by Sam McBratney
• “Because I Had a Teacher” by Kobi Yamada
• “Love You Forever” by Robert Munsch

Encourage students to relate the characters to their own family experiences.

Why Schools Should Celebrate This Day

Taking time to celebrate Global Day of Parents in school:

• Reinforces empathy, gratitude, and emotional literacy
• Strengthens the home-school connection
• Honors the often-invisible labor of caregivers
• Teaches that love, respect, and kindness are values worth practicing daily

Most importantly, it shows children that saying “thank you” can be simple — but also powerful.

Final Thought

The best celebrations don’t require balloons or fancy decorations. They come from children learning to notice, appreciate, and express love to the people who’ve been there for them since day one.

This June 1, let your classroom or school be a space where gratitude grows — and where every child is empowered to say, in their own creative way:

“Thank you, Mom. Thank you, Dad. I see you. I love you.”