May Events, Holidays + More For Your Family to Recognize and Celebrate

From celebrating teachers and mothers to honoring those who died while serving in the U.S. military.

Maybe we love May. Actually, there's no may-be about it. The everything is green, spring is fully in bloom, and the kids can practically taste the end of the school year! The month of May is a busy time for families filled with special days and occasions to honor and celebrate with your family. May also means culminations and graduations are just around the corner happening this month and next. It's also that time of year to think about your plans for summertime and camps for the kids.

This month offers opportunities for your family to celebrate our teachers, fan favorites and those close to our heart like mothers and grandmothers. We can learn about and celebrate different cultures and honor those who sacrificed their lives while serving in the U.S. military.

📅 Here are some important events and observances to add to your calendar this month:

Special Days and Weeks in May

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May Day

May 1

May Day, an ancient spring festival is celebrated in many countries around the word, often with flower festivals, parades, and dancing around Maypoles. Bake some floral cupcakes, craft some May baskets or leave some flowers for a neighbor to make their May Day!

Read a DIY how-to:

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Free Comic Book Day

May 4

The first Saturday in May everyone can get a free comic book at participating local comic book stores as part of this national giveaway day - while supplies last! That's a serious superhero move. Most stores have a day or month full of special events so be on the lookout!

Celebrate Free Comic Book Day Locally at Arsenal Comics and Games!

Local Participating Comic Book Store:

Arsenal Comics and Games | (805) 499-6197

1610-1 Newbury Rd, Newbury Park ,91320

Star Wars Day

May 4

May the 4^th be with You! Every year on the fourth day of May Star Wars fans around the world celebrate their love of all things Star Wars. Keep your celebration simple and just watch or binge on your favorite Star Wars movies or the many other Star Wars themed shows that followed. If simple is not your style you can dress up and grab a glass of blue milk before sitting down to watch.

Interesting read:

The Real History That Inspired ‘Star Wars’ - Historical figures and events informed George Lucas as he created his sci-fi saga in a galaxy far, far away.

Why stop with the 4^th, here are a few more Star Wars Days to celebrate in May:

May 5^th - Revenge of the 5^th
May 21^st - Talk like Yoda Day
May 25^th - Anniversary of the release of the original Star Wars film on May 25, 1977 - for some it's also Geek Pride Day

More ways to celebrate Star Wars:

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Cinco de Mayo

May 5

In Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is a minor holiday meant to celebrate the Mexican Army's victory over the French on May 5, 1862. However, here in the United States, it's turned into a festive day to celebrate Mexican-American traditions, heritage and culture with, family, music and cuisine.

Interesting reading:

Everything you need to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with your Family:

Yom HaShoah - Holocaust Remembrance Day

May 5 - 6, 2024

Yom Hashoah, the internationally recognized memorial day for Holocaust Remembrance corresponds to the 27^th day of Nisan on the Hebrew calendar. It marks the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising which took place from April 19-May 16, 1943. It falls on a different day each year about the end of Passover - next year it will be April 23-24, 2025.

You can honor the survivors along with the lives lost through prayer or lighting a memorial candle. It's also an opportunity for education and to make sure the world "Never forgets." Shoah is the Hebrew word for “catastrophe,” English-speaking countries more commonly use the word Holocaust, which is Greek for “sacrifice by fire.”

Please note: this topic might not be appropriate for all ages, use your own discretion.

Local Museums to visit in-person or virtually:

Museum of Tolerance - Los Angeles
Holocaust Museum LA

Online resources to learn more:

What is Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) and how is it commemorated?
Video: Group of Housewives Defeats the Nazis - 200 non-Jewish women led a protest to save their Jewish husbands after they were arrested and imprisoned by the Nazis. The only open protest against the Holocaust in German history, it quickly grew to over 1,000 women.
Yom HaShoah: Remembering for Tomorrow, learn more plus videos of first hand stories of survival
Jewish Virtual Library: Yom HaShoah
Testimonies from Holocaust Survivors
The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
USC Shoah Foundation - Holocaust Collection: The largest audiovisual collection in the world, composed of WWII era testimonies of Jewish survivors, political prisoners, Sinti and Roma survivors, Jehovah's Witness survivors, survivors of eugenics policies, and LGBTQ survivors, as well as rescuers and aid providers, liberators, and participants in war crimes trials.
Anne Frank House
History.com, The Holocaust
Yad Vashem - The World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Jerusalem, Israel
Educational Materials for Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Day 2023 (Yom Hashoah)

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Mother's Day

May 12

The second Sunday is May is a special day to honor Moms. It doesn't matter if the appreciation of the work you do comes in the form of a sticky hug, a handmade card, breakfast in bed, or an expensive gift. Know that you are loved today, and every day. Don't forget about your grandmothers and aunts on this special day.

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Memorial Day

May 27

Every year on the last Monday of May we observe Memorial Day, a US federal holiday. This day we remember and honor those who died while serving our country in the U.S. military. Take a moment to honor their sacrifice and reflect on the freedoms we enjoy because of their service. Honoring those that served can be as simple as taking some time out of the day to remember the true meaning of this important day and showing respect to those who have given their lives in service to the country. Teach your children about our county's rich history, the importance of freedom, and the sacrifices that have been made to make the USA what it is today.

Remember that "Freedom is not Free".

Week Long Observances in May

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Screen-Free Week

May 6-12

Celebrate Screen-Free Week, typically held the first full week in May, and seize the opportunity to disconnect from digital distractions and reconnect with your family and the world around you. Although set for May, you can choose to go screen-free whenever it suits your family’s schedule. This special week encourages children, families, schools, and entire communities across the globe to exchange their digital devices for the simple pleasures of life beyond the screen.

Participating in Screen-Free Week isn't about sacrificing your screens; it's about rediscovering the myriad joys that await when you do. Instead of an hour on YouTube, imagine an hour spent exploring nature or a local park. Replace those minutes scrolling through social media with creative activities like doodling or crafting. Even on a rainy day, instead of watching a movie, you could enjoy quality family time with a good book, engaging conversations, or imaginative play.

Join countless others in this refreshing tradition and give your family the gift of undistracted time together—exploring, learning, and creating memories that last far beyond the screen. Embrace the chance to power down and reconnect with the people and activities that matter most.

Need some additional inspiration?

10 Ways to Get Away From Those Screens with lots of local Conejo Valley - Malibu - Calabasas options
Go on a Neighborhood Scavenger hunt, use this free printable
Go Tech-Free! 10 Ideas for Screen-Free Fun With Your Kids!

Find out more about participating in Screen Free week

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Teacher Appreciation

Day: May 7 | Week: May 6-10

They work hard every day educating and enriching our children all year long, this a time to show our gratitude and say thank you for all their hard work! Often the parent organizations at school put together something special for all the staff and you might want to reach out, contribute and lend a helping hand. Also consider something special just for your child's teacher, something as simple as a thank you note from your child and yourself will be appreciated, but here are a few ideas if you want to do something extra special. Also this month: May 1 is School Principals' Day.

We have a fun Free printable your kids can complete about their teacher to show their thanks.

Gift ideas:

We are proud to have teachers among our Macaroni KID publishers. Read about them here!

Month Long Observances in May

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Jewish American Heritage Month

Jewish American Heritage Month is a time to recognize the history of Jewish contributions to American culture and acknowledge the diverse achievement of the Jewish community in the U.S.

Celebrating Jewish American Heritage Month

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Asian American and Pacific Islander cultures are so rich in culture and diversity because they are represented in more than 30 countries — including the entire Asian continent and the Pacific Islands — and encompass more than 100 different languages.

Above is a story we love called Lotus and Feather read by Michelle Yeoh, inspired by the true story of a crane that rescued a Chinese village. The author, Ji-li Jiang, grew up in Shanghai before moving to the U.S. in 1984.

National Meditation Month

With May being National Meditation Month, there is no time better than the present to incorporate mindfulness into your family life.

Meditation Isn’t Just For Adults!

National Water Safety Month

They days are getting warmer and school will be out soon - that mean more time for water fun for our families. No matter if you are hitting the beach or the pool safety is important - make sure to talk to your kids about how to stay safe around water.

May is National Water Safety Month: Tips, Videos, App and Links to Help You Make Sure Your Kids Are Water Safe

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National Foster Care Month

May marks the month when we recognize the amazing work of foster families who are making a meaningful difference in the lives of the more than 407,000 children in foster care throughout the United States. Learn more about fostering and how you can help.