September 26

National Family Day

National Family Day is the perfect opportunity to get the whole family together and create memories that will last a lifetime!

Yearly Date
September 26
Type
Day

Introduction

Get ready to celebrate National Family Day on Sept. 26! This special day has been around since 1994 when it was created by President Bill Clinton as a way of honoring the importance of family in our lives. It's a great opportunity to take a moment and appreciate all the love, joy, and support that we receive from our families every single day. So make sure you show your family some extra appreciation this National Family Day!

National Family Day Timeline

1994
National Family Day Creation
National Family Day was founded by President Bill Clinton to emphasize the importance of family.
1996
First Nationwide Celebration
The first Nationwide celebration took place two years after its creation, with families encouraged to enjoy activities together.
2001
Family Day's Role in Preventing Substance Abuse
The National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia University started promoting National Family Day as a tool for preventing substance abuse among children.
2008
Presidential Proclamation
President George W. Bush issued an official proclamation recognizing September 26 as National Family Day.
2012
Family Day Social Media Movement
The "#MyFamilySelfie" social media campaign was launched, encouraging families to share pictures together, further popularizing the holiday.

How to Celebrate National Family Day

1

Go on a hike

Head outdoors and enjoy some fresh air. Spend time with your family, talking and exploring the nature that surrounds you. Go for a picnic afterwards for a complete day of fun.

2

Host a game night

Gather everyone around the living room and have a game night. Pull out all the classic board games like Monopoly, Clue, or Scrabble. Or get creative and make up your own game.

3

Bake together

Involve everyone in the kitchen! Pull out some recipes, assign duties to each person in the family, and get to baking some delicious treats. Enjoy them together afterwards.

4

Organize a movie marathon

Pick out some classic family movies everyone can enjoy and get ready to snuggle up on the couch. Make sure you have snacks ready to go! Popcorn, candy, chips - anything goes.

5

Write letters to each other

Take some time throughout the day to write down your thoughts and feelings about each other, whether it be funny memories or words of encouragement. Keep them as keepsakes or read them aloud to one another.

Why We Love National Family Day

A

Family Day is a great opportunity to connect

Most families don't get nearly enough time with each other, and National Family Day provides the perfect excuse to get together. Use this day as an opportunity to catch up, play games, have a meal, or just spend quality time doing something you all enjoy - you'll be glad you did!

B

Family Day encourages meaningful conversations

It's easy to get so busy that family conversations become more about news and events than they do about how everyone is really feeling. Take the time on Family Day to create meaningful connections and discuss topics that are a little deeper and thought-provoking. You may be surprised at what you learn!

C

It strengthens family bonds

Creating special memories and spending quality time together can help strengthen the bond between family members. Even if it's just a few hours out of the year, taking the time to come together on this day will build long lasting relationships and remind us why family is so important in our lives.

National Family Day Dates

Year
Date
Day
2023
Sep 26
Tuesday
2024
Sep 26
Thursday
2025
Sep 26
Friday
2026
Sep 26
Saturday
2027
Sep 26
Sunday