While February might be known as the month of love, there are lots of other days to celebrate! We've put them all together in one spot for you here at Toms River Macaroni Kid. We've even included some ideas on how you can make some extra special memories on these days!
February 4: Thank Your Mail Carrier Day
Use this free printable to say thanks to you mail carrier.
February 6: National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day
- Why not surprise your kids with an ice cream buffet when they wake up. Set up an assortment of ice cream toppings and let everyone create their own sundae this morning. Toppings like M&Ms, oreo crumbs, strawberries, blueberries, chocolate chips, pound cake cubes, and mini marshmallows make good toppings, and don’t forget the whipped cream and cherries, too!
February 9: National Pizza Day
Check out our list of places to order your heart shaped pizza for Valentine's Day. Or make these pizzas at home!
- Celebrate at The Sawmill with Buy One Get One FREE Slices & Pies (Dine in Only) All the details are here.
- Breakfast Pizza - a Kid Friendly Easy Weeknight Meal
- Pizza, Reimagines: The Pizza Casserole Your Family Will Love
- Grilled Pizza: A New Way to Make an Old Family Favorite Special Again
- In the Kitchen: Pizza Waffles
- Heart Shaped Pizzas Coming Thursday
February 12: Chinese New Year
- Ringing in the Year of the Ox: Celebrating Lunar New Year with the Kids
- The Red Envelope- A Chinese New Year Tradition
- Take & Make: Year of the Ox Paper Lantern Beachwood Library 2/11-2/13 While Supplies Last
February 14: Valentine's Day
We have you covered this Valentine's Day - from breakfast to printable, take home library crafts to heart shaped pizza PLUS 8 Valentine's gift deals your family will love from Certifikid. Want to spread some Valentine's Day cheer outside of your family? Take part in our Valentine's Day Card Drive for 1st Responders & Health Care Workers. Make a card or lots, and drop off at Wang Orthodontics in their Valentine's Card Drop Box.
- Daddy Daughter Date Night Kit from Chick-Fil-A
- Valentine's Activities for Kids of All Ages LOCAL
- Say I Love You With Thus Easy Valentine's Day Breakfast
- 8 Valentine's Day Gift Deals Your Family Will Love
- Valentine Warm Up - Pink Hot Chocolate
- Free Valentine's Day Printables for Young Kids to Share With Friends
- Stick With Us: This DIY Garden Stake Makes a Great Valentine's Gift
- My Punny Valentine: 100 Perfect Puns for Valentine's Day
February 15: Presidents Day
Presidents Day was started to recognize the birth date of George Washington following his death in 1799. While this a great opportunity for a history lesson with the kids, we are still dealing with pandemic schooling - hours behind a computer screen. There's no school today - so I say, get those kids outside. No electronics. Head to a park, find shells on the beach, ride your bike - anything that gives these kids a break!
February 16: International Pancake Day
This is one of my family's favorites. I'm not the best in the kitchen but my kid's would swear by my pancakes. It's every birthday morning request! Mine don't get as fancy as these but they look so yummy I may have to try them. Or you can also skip the kitchen and head straight to Fast Break on Route 37 in Toms River - mine and the kid's favorite local spot for pancakes.
February 17-23: Random Act of Kindness Week
We should all have this one on our calendar. Any thing that reminds us to go out of our way to be extra kind to someone is worth noting. There are so many ways to celebrate this - compliment a coworker, bring your UPS driver a snack and drink, shovel your neighbor's walkways. The list is endless. How many random acts of kindness can your family take part in this week???
February 18: Drink Wine Day
If you are a mom, there's probably no explanation or guidance needed here. If you are a new mom and need a list of local liquor stores, just call me!
February 20: Love Your Pet Day
So if you have pets, this is probably every day in your house. But a little extra love never hurt anyone!
February is Black History Month
February, as is the rest of the year, is an opportunity to honor and recognize the hard work and sacrifices made by African Americans. "It’s about the lived, shared experience of all African Americans, high and low, famous and obscure, and how those experiences have shaped and challenged and ultimately strengthened America. It’s about taking an unvarnished look at the past so we can create a better future. It’s a reminder of where we as a country have been so that we know where we need to go." (President Barack Obama, 2016) Here are a few things we put together to celebrate this important month, including activities at our local libraries.
10 Books, Movies to Celebrate During Black History Month…and Always
- 10 U.S. Locations Where Your Family Can Explore Black History
- Black History Month Trivia for Kids Virtual
- Black History Month Challenge for Teens Virtual
- Black History Month Digital Scavenger Hunt
- Take & Make Locks Berkeley
- DIY Black History Month Bookmarks Manchester
- Black History Month Book Bundles for Teens Toms River
- Celebrating YA Black Voices & Activism panel! BN Virtual Event
- Virtual - Joyful Fridays with The National Museum of African American History & Culture
National Bake for Family Fun Month
This one speaks for itself. Get in the kitchen and have some fun! Here's a recipe to get you started.
Chewy Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cookies You Won't Want to Share
National Library Lover's Month
With the cold Jersey winter setting in, reading is a great way to get the whole family to put down the electronics.
National Bird Feeding Month
Here's a couple bird feeder crafts to make with the minis!