August 2nd – also known as International Friendship Day– is almost here. (I know, summer is going by WAY too fast).
In honor of International Friendship Day, break out your half of your friendship heart necklace and take some time to remind others how much they mean to you. If you’re unable to make plans to enjoy each other’s company, a simple gesture, such as a card or hand-written letter, will certainly make them feel loved.
Here are 8 books that celebrate friendship and some fun activities to make International Friendship Day a memorable one.
The Hula-Hoopin’ Queen: A spunky African American girl has a hula-hooping competition with her friends in Harlem, and soon everyone in the neighborhood—young and old alike—joins in on the fun.
Juna’s Jar: Juna, an imaginative Korean American girl, goes on magical adventures, by way of her special kimchi jar, in search of her best friend who has moved away.
Up the Learning Tree: A story set in the pre-Civil War South, in which an enslaved boy makes friends with a white teacher as he secretly learns to read and write while hiding in a sycamore tree outside the schoolhouse.
David’s Drawings: A story of a young African American boy who makes friends in school by letting his classmates help with his drawing of a bare winter tree.
First Come the Zebra: The story of two young Kenyan boys, one Maasai and one Kikuyu, who find a way to overcome their traditional rivalries and become friends.
The Can Man: To earn money, a young boy decides to collect and redeem empty soft drink cans, but ends up giving away his money to help a local homeless man.
Rainbow Joe and Me: A girl learns the power of imagination from her blind neighbor.
The Legend of Freedom Hill: A fictional story set during the California Gold Rush, in which a girl teams up with her best friend in search of gold to buy her mother’s freedom from a slave catcher.
- Make a Friendship Card
One of the simplest and most appreciated gestures is to make someone a card to let them know you’re thinking of them. Receiving anything heartfelt in the mail is a rare and welcomed occurrence these days.
- DIY Pop-Up Card from Tinkerlab
- DIY Scratch Off Card from Diary of a Mad Crafter
- Make Friendship Bracelets
You don’t need to go to summer camp to make these! They make great gifts and they’re also fun to make.
- 15 DIY Friendship Bracelets
- The DIY: Fastest Friendship Bracelet Ever from Hey Wanderer
- DIY Braided T-Shirt Bracelets
- Do a Random Act of Kindness
International Friendship Day isn’t just about your closest friends. Reach out and be a friend to others.
- Read Lend a Hand and check out this infographic for some inspiring ideas
- The Random Acts of Kindness Foundation
- Write a friendly letter
Whether it be a close or new friend-near or far- taking the time to write a letter shows how much you care.
- Friendly letter generator from ReadWriteThink.org
Veronica has a degree from Mount Saint Mary College and joined LEE & LOW in the fall of 2014. She has a background in education and holds a New York State childhood education (1-6) and students with disabilities (1-6) certification. When she’s not wandering around New York City, you can find her hiking with her dog Milo in her hometown in the Hudson Valley, NY.
