September Family Fun: Holiday-Inspired Activities

September is a time of transition as summer winds down and we head into fall. It's a time for families to move from the leisurely fun of summer to the more serious business of school, with homework and after-school activities. We start to lose a little bit of daylight and we might even see some cooler weather. With busier weekdays, it's even more important to find your family fun! We've got lots of ideas for fun activities, big and small, anytime you're together - night or day, weeknight or weekend - all inspired by the season, holidays and remembrances.

Anytime you're looking to find fun things to do with your kids, visit the Macaroni KID Conejo Valley - Malibu - Calabasas event calendar. Don't forget to subscribe to our weekly newsletter for more Family Fun Things to Do!

✨ Let's Get Silly and Have Some Fun!

Play is essential - this is how kids learn from a very early age. As we grow older and even become adults, we still enjoy playing, and if you can do it with your kids and grandkids, even better! Look, I could sit by myself for hours coloring and putting together Legos - sshh, don't tell anyone cause I'm supposed to be working. Anyway, there are several fun holidays that fall in September that are a perfect excuse to grab your kids and enjoy some family fun!

📅 September Holidays that Inspire Fun:

🎮 National Video Game Day: September 12
🥠 National Fortune Cookie Day: September 13
🖐️ National Play-Doh Day: September 16
🏴‍☠️ International Talk Like a Pirate Day: September 19

🎮 Get your Game On

I don't know about you, but I still love video games. Growing up, there was nothing like heading to the arcade with a handful of quarters. My all-time favorite game to play is anything Mario. I still wish I had my old N64, oh well. Share your favorite games with your kids or, better yet, have them teach you something new. Can you say Minecraft? Well, that was one of my boys' first obsessions, but I know it's no longer their go-to. If you want to drift to some game-adjacent family fun, there are lots of video game-themed movies and shows to enjoy together.

^BrennaG

🎦 Here are a few of my favorites:

Wreck-It-Ralph and Ralph Breaks the Internet
Pokémon TV shows and movies, including Pokémon Detective Pikachu
The Angry Birds Movies 1 and 2
Sonic the Hedgehog 1, 2 and 3
The Super Mario Bros. Movie and The Super Mario Galaxy Movie
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and Jumanji: The Next Level
A Minecraft Movie
For older kids and teens: TRON, TRON: Legacy and TRON: Ares, Ready Player One, Free Guy and Pixels

I know there are so many more, but these are ones I've either watched or want to watch. Just remember, not all of these are for all ages.

🥠 Give a Kid a Cookie and Find Your Fortune

Now who doesn’t love fortune cookies? I’m not sure what’s more exciting - the yummy Chinese food, the just-sweet-enough crunchy cookie, or the anticipation of the fortune tucked neatly inside. National Fortune Cookie Day is a great excuse to celebrate! Interestingly, this holiday seems to pop up on two different days, so why not celebrate twice? Don’t be surprised if you see this tasty holiday again in July.

And here’s a fun fact: this delicious treat, often enjoyed after Chinese food, isn’t actually from China. The fortune cookie we know and love was created in California in the early 1900s by Japanese immigrants, either in San Francisco, Los Angeles, or maybe both. It was inspired by similar cookies from Japan dating back to the 1800s.

Celebrate National Fortune Cookie Day with your family by making your own! Our recipe is quick, easy, and inexpensive - just the way we like it! Enjoy some fun in the kitchen and create memorable moments with homemade fortune cookies.

🧑‍🍳 Fortune Cookie Day - Celebrate by Making Some at Home With Your Kids

Learn more about this delightful cookie with a surprise inside:

🖐️ Play With Your Hands

Play-Doh. You used it as a child and we're betting that your kids have at least one can in their collection. September 16th marks National Play-Doh Day, a time to celebrate the iconic children's toy and activity that has helped kids create all sorts of things from animals to food to flowers to almost anything in between. You can admit it, you love it too. It's fun to squish between your fingers and make fun creations. I love Play-Doh as long as it's not in my carpet, that's why my favorite tip is to let them play on a table outside - less mess. Crack open a can or make your own dough to play with your kids and see what you can create together.

^{FatCamera from Getty Images Signature via Canva}

✨ Read all about the history of Play-Doh here

Make your own dough to play with:

🏴‍☠️ Talk Like a Pirate

Aaarrr! Ahoy, me hearties! Ahoy, matey! Ahoy, landlubbers! Bring some swashbuckling fun to your day by talking like a pirate with your junior mateys. Avast, me hearties! We've got lots of fun ideas to help you celebrate International Talk Like a Pirate Day that require har-dly any planning at all!

🦜 Watch your favorite pirate movie or show with your kids to celebrate - have fun and talk like a pirate today.

🧀 Get Cheezy

Now I don't know about your family, but mine could eat pizza every day, anytime of day. I don't know why, but ever since I was a kid there is just something about cold pizza for breakfast, mmmm. Anytime we order pizza, I always order bigger so we have enough for leftovers. Sometimes I need to get an extra pizza because, well, you know teenage boys will inhale a whole pizza by themselves. Now I like stuff on my pizza, but I'm very selective. Most of my crew likes it simple - just cheese.

^{Monkey Business Images via Canva}

📅 Cheesy September Days:

🧑‍🍳 National Spice Blend Day: September 4
🍕 National Cheese Pizza Day: September 5
🍕 National Pepperoni Pizza Day: September 20
🥓 International Bacon Day: 1st Saturday in September
🍄‍🟫 National Mushroom Month: September - All Month
🧀 National Italian Cheese Month: September - All Month
🫑 National Fruit and Veggies Month: September - All Month

Lots of fun days to savor pizza goodness this month. Why not take your family out for a treat, pick up some to enjoy at home, order delivery or, better yet, make some at home. If you dare, try something new and grill your pizza. Pizza is always a surefire way to delight the kids! Maybe try some new toppings just because, including getting creative with the cheese.

Thinking about cheeses, Italian cheese has hundreds of varieties to choose from. Some of the most popular include Mozzarella, Ricotta, Provolone, Parmesan, Romano, Asiago and Gorgonzola. Try different spices for extra flavor, add mushrooms or veggies, or if you like fruit, how about pineapple? Pineapple on pizza is interesting - people either love it or hate it, and I'm in the love-it camp.

These might be the tastiest holidays this month. And if you think two pizza days aren't enough, don't worry! October is National Pizza Month, so you won't have to wait long for another excuse to enjoy a slice or two.

🌊 Catch a Wave

One of my favorite places to go is the beach. I'm not sure what it is, but anytime I'm near the coast I just feel a different energy. Is it the sound, the smell or the cool air? Honestly I don't know. Even if I don't go in the water, and just watch, the beach is one of my happy places. My family loves the water, especially my boys, even on a cold day. I could go to the beach, take off my shoes sand going between my toes and just walk along the shore as the tide moves in and out pulling the sand out from under my feet. I've always wanted to learn to surf but never have, I could watch the surfers all day. One day . . . .

^{fOneinchpunch via Canva}

📅 California Surfing Day: September 20

Surfing is synonymous with California, especially here in SoCal at our beaches in Malibu and Ventura. There are lots of movies, TV shows, books and more, we even dress like surfers as the surf culture is just a part of life here. There are lessons for people of all ages and abilities, and don't forget summer surf camps for your kids. No matter if you grab a board and hit the waves or just like to stand at the shore to watch, head to the beach for some family fun.

Did you know SoCal has two surf museums - both close enough for a fun day trip.

🏄 California Surf Museum

⏰ Open Daily 10 am - 4 pm
💲 Free for kids 11 and under | $8 for Students, Military and 62+ | $10 for Adults
☎️ (760) 721-6876 | 📍 312 Pier View Way, Oceanside

🏄 Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum

⏰ Tuesday-Thursday 9 am - 6 pm | Friday-Saturday 9 am - 5 pm
💲 Free for everyone - donations highly encouraged
☎️ (714) 960-3483 | 📍 525 Main Street, Huntington Beach - near the pier inside the Main Street Library

☕ Relax and Enjoy!

Once I became a parent it seemed like I was always moving and on the run - and sometimes I run out of steam. While it may seem counterintuitive, I find having a cup of coffee relaxing. Sometimes it's at home and sometimes it's out. Sometimes it's just a simple cup of coffee and others it's fancier with something extra tasty by its side.

^{Carrara's, Agoura Hills by BrennaG}

📅 National Coffee Day: September 29

Now while this activity was inspired by a cup of coffee, I know not everyone is a fan. If that's the case, you can still relax and enjoy a cup of tea, hot cocoa or something else - hot or cold or even frozen if you dare. I will admit there are times I grab coffee on the run but it's always best when I can relax and enjoy it. Sometimes I take the whole crew and others it's just hubby and I sneaking away for some us time or just me when I need some me time.

Here are a few of my favorite places to go relax and enjoy - they offer so much more than just coffee:

Cafe Sapientia, Oak Park
Agoura Village Bakery, Agoura Hills
Carrara's, Agoura Hills

Coffee is a funny thing and most of us don't think twice about it and where it comes from. Did you know that coffee beans are actually seeds from a fruit? Coffee cherries are a type of fruit that grows on coffee plants. This ancient drink enjoyed around the world has been around for a very, very, very long time. From just a plain cup of Joe to a fancy French press or espresso, just relax and enjoy.

🌱 Plant Some Seeds of Knowledge

This is the perfect season to learn about Johnny Appleseed plus fun and tasty things to do with apples. Although apples are available year round, fall is the start of apple picking season. It also marks the birth of an early American folk hero, John Chapman. If you haven't heard of him, it's because he's better known as Johnny Appleseed. While it might sound made up, he was a real person born in Massachusetts in 1774. Learn more about both apples, and the man and myth of Johnny Appleseed with your kids.

📅 Johnny Appleseed Day: September 26

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Imagine a kind and goofy looking man traveling the country not only on foot, but barefoot, often wearing worn and tattered clothing, carrying a satchel of apple seeds and a Bible. You may have even seen images of him wearing a cooking pot on his head as a hat - was it real or legend? The seeds for his travels were planted much earlier when he was a young boy - he loved all of nature, including creatures big and small, and he really loved being outside. He worked on his family farm and a neighbor's apple orchard. Way back when our country was also young, he noticed many people were heading west, and so at the age of eighteen Johnny and his younger brother decided to do the same. During his travels he planted apple seeds and created apple tree nurseries along the way. He gave away apples and seedlings, and also sold or traded them for clothing and other supplies. He was helping people, but he was also a smart businessman who knew there was an opportunity to plant orchards ahead of settlers and sell the trees to those who came after him.

While the stories give the impression he wandered the country aimlessly planting apple seeds wherever he went, his mission was much more intentional. He wanted to bring kindness, share his faith, and spread his apple trees along the way. He was also a masterful storyteller, amazing those he met. He traveled for about 50 years and acquired about 1,000 acres of his own land along the way. His practice of growing apples from seeds also had a fascinating impact on apple horticulture - you can learn more about that in the science video below.

Head to your local library with your family to find more books and continue the learning, head to your kitchen and make a yummy apple treat, from simple snacks to savory dishes and sweet delights. If your family happens to travel to Ohio, maybe you'll have an opportunity to visit the museum and memorial.

More resources to learn about Johnny Appleseed:

Get Cooking:

🍏 Apple Recipes: Everything from Sweet to Savory for Your Family

Get Creative and Experiment:

Watch a short cartoon:

🎦 Johnny Appleseed - Disney

Read-Aloud Books:

📖 Johnny Appleseed - Kids Books Read Aloud
📖 Early Learning Adventures With Mrs. T: Johnny Appleseed read aloud

Watch and Learn:

▶️ Hey! Guess What: Apple Facts | Facts About Apples For Kids
▶️ Twinkl USA: Johnny Appleseed for Kids | 26 September | Who is Johnny Appleseed | Emergent Readers
▶️ Johnny Appleseed (John Chapman) for Kids. Interesting facts and history about Johnny Appleseed
▶️ Inside the Johnny Appleseed Museum in Urbana, Ohio
▶️ History of Apples in the United States and Johnny Appleseed

Lesson for Older Kids - use your discretion:

▶️ Johnny Appleseed | Trailblazers of America | PragerU Kids

This Video is a Great Science Lesson for Older Kids - it's a bit more technical:

▶️ The Truth About Johnny Appleseed & Apple Genetics

📚 Get Your Own Library Card and Discover . . .

Do you have a library card, do your kids? Everyone should have their own library card, even the youngest visitors. Libraries are a local treasure, they offer so much more than books and if you have your own library card you can access even more. There is something empowering for kids when they hand the librarian a stack of books to check out along with their very own card.

One of my favorite things to do growing up was going to the library with my dad, he would spend hours there and my brother and I would wander and explore. Lots of times I would check out a huge stack of books. I loved to check out records - yes, I'm that old. The library was also our go-to anytime we had school reports or papers to write - kids today can just surf the net.

📅 Library Card Sign-Up Month

If anyone in your family doesn't already have their very own library card, now is the perfect time to get one, September is Library Card Sign-Up Month. It's pretty easy to get one. You don't have to limit yourself to the library closest to home. Check out nearby library systems too. Some are large, some are small, and each has something different to offer.

You don't need a card for much of what the libraries offer, but to use computers and other technology, or borrow items, or access online services you will. Did you know libraries are not just about books? They have storytimes, activities, movies, digital resources, audiobooks and some have things families wouldn't expect, like video games.

How do I get a Library Card?

First, start with their website using the links below. Fill out an application online or in person, bring your ID and proof of residency. Children will need a parent or guardian to show ID and complete the application. All libraries offer cards to California residents, so you may want to get one for nearby libraries too.

Get Your Library Card

County of Ventura Library - closest location: Oak Park
Calabasas Library - only location
LA County Library - closest locations: Agoura Hills, Malibu and Westlake Village
City of Thousand Oaks Library - two locations: Grant R. Brimhall Library and Newbury Park Library

🎉 Celebrate, Explore and Learn About Hispanic Heritage

You don't need to be Hispanic to celebrate the rich history, vibrant music and dances, and delicious food - what's not to love? Our community is home to Hispanic culture and people, and if you are not Hispanic, your friends, neighbors and co-workers likely are. So much of Hispanic culture is so ingrained in our everyday lives that you probably don't even think about it, but this month is a great opportunity to be intentional about this rich culture, explore something new with your family and learn more about important people and places and, yes - try the food.

📅 Hispanic Heritage Month: September 15 - October 15
🥑 National Guacamole Day: September 16
🫓 National Quesadilla Day: September 25

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with your family by learning the history, traditions, culture and contributions by Hispanic people. I have a lot of ideas and resources, but don't get overwhelmed, you don't have to do it all start with one idea to explore together, then if you're ready pick another.

🌎 Explore Countries and Cultures

Choose one country to explore together: Spain, Mexico, a Caribbean country, or one of the many countries in Central or South America. Find a map or globe or search online to help you choose, then discover a whole new world.

🎬 Watch and Learn:

Make some snacks, sit back, relax as you learn together.

📚 Read Together:

📚 5 Books our Family is Reading for Hispanic Heritage Month Search score: 116.1

Get Crafty:

🎶 Listen, Dance and Explore Music

Do you have a favorite Hispanic artist to share? Find and watch videos of folklórico dancers, mariachi musicians, or artists from other Hispanic countries and cultures to introduce your kids to something new. Turn on some tunes and move to the music.

Learn More:

🧑‍🍳 Cook Up Some Tasty Food Together:

📍 Visit:

MOLAA - Museum of Latin American Art, Long Beach, CA: The only museum in the U.S. fully dedicated to modern and contemporary Latin American and Latino Art.
Olvera Street, Los Angeles: The birthplace of Los Angeles is a Mexican Marketplace that recreates a romantic “Old Los Angeles” with street vendors, cafes, restaurants, and gift shops plus several historical museums.

Find Your Family Fun 💙

Looking for even more things to do with your kids? Check out the Macaroni KID Conejo Valley - Malibu - Calabasas event calendar for family-friendly events, activities, classes and other happenings in Calabasas, Agoura Hills, Oak Park, Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park and Malibu. We also share worthwhile information and family fun in nearby communities including Simi Valley, Camarillo, Oxnard, Ventura, the San Fernando Valley, greater Los Angeles and throughout Southern California.

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