Looking for fun August holidays to celebrate with kids? August is packed with quirky holidays and family-friendly observances that make it easy to create one more summer memory.
Some of the best family memories start with the weirdest holidays. From National Watermelon Day to the Perseid meteor shower, these August celebrations are simple, inexpensive, and surprisingly fun for kids.
Last updated July 23, 2026
10 August Holidays Kids Will Love
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National Watermelon Day
Cold watermelon just tastes like summer. Slice it, freeze it into pops, or challenge the kids to a backyard seed-spitting contest. Sometimes the simplest traditions end up being the ones everyone remembers. Aug. 3
National Night Out
National Night Out is a great excuse to get out in your community. Many towns host block parties, safety events, cookouts, games, and chances for kids to meet local police officers, firefighters, and neighbors. Check your Macaroni KID NW - Central Austin calendar for events near you. Aug. 4
Sneak Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Day
Garden overflowing? This might be the most specific holiday of the month. If your kitchen is buried in zucchini, today is your official permission slip to share the harvest with a neighbor. Bonus points for leaving a recipe with it. Aug. 8
National Book Lovers Day
Today’s the day to let everyone pick a book just because it looks fun. Visit the library, build a reading fort, start a family read-aloud, or let the kids stay up a little later with a flashlight and a book. Summer reading totally counts, even when it happens under the covers. Aug. 9
Read more: Free Summer Reading Programs for Kids in 2026: Books, Pizza & Prizes
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National S’mores Day
Graham crackers, chocolate, marshmallows, sticky fingers, happy kids. That’s the whole plan. If you don't have a campfire, the oven, microwave, or even the air fryer work just fine. A build-your-own s'mores bar after dinner is usually enough to make an ordinary Tuesday feel like summer vacation. Aug. 10
Make it: Grill Up the Ultimate Summer Treat: S'mores Pizza
Don’t Miss the August Freebies & Deals
August is packed with summer savings, back-to-school deals, free food, and family-friendly discounts worth watching for.
Perseid Meteor Shower Peak
Not technically a holiday, but definitely worth celebrating. The Perseid meteor shower is one of the best sky shows of the year, and in 2026 the peak arrives overnight Aug. 12 into Aug. 13. Find a dark spot, bring blankets, pack snacks, and let the kids look for shooting stars. The best part? All you really need is a dark sky, a blanket, and a little patience. Aug. 12–13
Get tips: How to Watch the Perseid Meteor Shower With Your Family
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National Roller Coaster Day
Today’s your excuse to trade screen time for scream time. Maybe this is the year your thrill-seeker tackles the biggest coaster in the park, or maybe everyone sticks with the kiddie rides. Either way, it's a great excuse for one more amusement park day. Aug. 16
Find a deal near you: Check CertifiKID for amusement park and family fun deals
National Waffle Day
Breakfast for dinner just got a reason. Pull out the waffle iron and set up a toppings bar with fruit, whipped cream, chocolate chips, peanut butter, sprinkles, or whatever else your kids talk you into. Breakfast-for-dinner nights have a way of becoming family favorites, especially when everyone gets to build their own waffle. Aug. 24
Pluto Demoted Day
Pluto may have lost planet status, but it has not lost the hearts of kids everywhere. Use today as a reason to talk about space, draw the solar system, look up new images from NASA, or let your kids argue whether Pluto got a raw deal. Team Pluto forever. Aug. 24
Explore: Learn more about Pluto and dwarf planets from NASA
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National Dog Day
Give the family dog a little extra love today, or use it as a chance to talk with kids about animal shelters, fostering, adopting, and helping pets in your community. If your family doesn't have a dog, consider letting the kids pick out a donation for a local animal shelter instead. Aug. 26
Looking for local August events?
Want to turn these August holidays into real family fun? Check Macaroni KID NW - Central Austin’s calendar for festivals, storytimes, outdoor concerts, National Night Out events, back-to-school fun, and other things to do with kids near you.
August Observances Families May Want to Know About
August also includes observances that can help families support each other, start thoughtful conversations, and learn together.
- World Breastfeeding Week (Aug. 1–7): A week focused on supporting breastfeeding parents and making sure families have access to the help they need. A simple way to recognize it? Check in on a new parent, offer encouragement, or drop off dinner.
- International Youth Day (Aug. 12): A United Nations observance focused on young people and their role in the world. Ask older kids what they wish adults understood about kids and teens today. Their answers might surprise you.
- Women’s Equality Day (Aug. 26): A day to talk about the long fight for women’s voting rights and the work still being done for equality. Keep it simple with younger kids: Who are some women in history, in your family, or in your community who made a difference?
- Anniversary of the “I Have a Dream” Speech (Aug. 28): On this day in 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous speech at the Lincoln Memorial. Read a children’s book about King, talk about fairness and courage, or visit the National Park Service page to learn more.
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