6 Fun Activities for International Women’s Day

On International Women’s Day the world gathers at United Nations Headquarters for the Commission on the Status of Women, the United Nations’ largest annual forum dedicated to gender equality and women’s rights.

What happens at CSW influences laws, policies, funding and accountability across countries and generations.

During this week, we recognize and celebrate the achievements of women.

International Women’s Day began in the early 1900s, when women around the world started speaking up for better working conditions, fair pay, and the right to vote.

Over time, it became an international movement, and the United Nations officially recognized it in 1977.

Included in the email are a few fun activities for families and teachers to celebrate this week.

3 Infant & Toddler Activities (Birth to 3 years)

With infants and toddlers, this topic is more difficult to teach because of the age of the children, but it doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate women throughout the month.    

Here are 3 simple ways to celebrate IWD all month:

1. Read Books by Female Authors

Choose storybooks and picture books written or illustrated by women.

Here are some of our favourites:

• Peek‑a‑WHO? by Nina Laden
• Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle
• The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson
• Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox
• I Like Myself! by Karen Beaumont

2. Listen to Female Voices

Play songs, lullabies, or simple music sung or performed by women.

Here are some of our favourites:

• Laurie Berkner
• Ella Jenkins
• Lisa Loeb

3. Celebrate Women in the Community

Reflect on all the women who are a part of your community: teachers, store owners, police officers, doctors, or family members. Talk about them, the jobs they do and interactions you’ve had with them.   

Better yet, come by the shop and talk to us :) Our staff is 90% women!

Tip: These activities are great all-year round, for all ages. We really should have books, songs and art by female artists available to children every day.   

3 Activities for Ages 3 years and up

For younger children (ages 3–6 years), these activities should be done with the support and guidance of a parent or teacher. Activities 1 & 2 will likely be of most interest to this age group.  

For older children who are able to read, write, and do research, these activities can be done more independently.

1. Print and read our Notable Women in History cards.

These cards are a great way to introduce important women in history. You can use them as conversation starters, display them around the playroom/learning space or read about each person together to celebrate their contributions.

Click here to download the full deck of cards.

2. Create Art in the Style of a Famous Female Artist

Recreate a piece or style inspired by notable female artists and then hang art by the original artists around the space for inspiration.

Reminder: It’s okay if the child’s art doesn’t look exactly like the original. The goal is to learn about and celebrate female artists while exploring art and expressing themselves creatively.

Here are 3 suggestions to get you started:

Frida Kahlo, Mexican painter

Invite your child to paint or draw themselves surrounded by things they love, like pets, favourite flowers or family. Have art tools available in bold colours.

Yayoi Kusama - Japanese contemporary artist

Invite your child to create patterns using dots, stickers, or stamps, or make a large collaborative mural full of colourful repeating shapes.

Georgia O’Keeffe - American painter

Invite your child to paint or draw flowers, leaves, or landscapes, focusing on shape, colour, and detail. Encourage them to look closely at real flowers or plants for inspiration.

3. Biography Project

Pick a woman from history or today and create a story or poster about her life and achievements. 

You can use the Notable Women in History cards as a starting point or choose someone else. 

Hang the poster or share the story with others so everyone can learn about and celebrate her contributions.