Pink Shirt Day is a powerful movement that began in 2007, inspired by a group of high school students in Canada who stood up against bullying. The story goes that a student was being bullied for wearing a pink shirt, and a group of his peers decided to wear pink in solidarity. This simple act sparked a worldwide campaign to raise awareness about bullying and promote kindness and inclusivity.
As homeschool parents and educators, we can use Pink Shirt Day as an opportunity to engage students in activities that not only teach about the importance of kindness but also foster empathy and understanding.
Planning an empathy unit study? February is a great time of year for that!
It’s essential to create a space where children feel safe and empowered to express themselves without fear of judgment or ridicule. By promoting kindness and taking a stand against bullying, we contribute to building a more compassionate world.
To help make Pink Shirt Day a memorable learning experience, I have developed two simple activities to use with your students. I used these with my preschooler and third grader this year! The writing one could easily be used by fourth and fifth grade students as well.
1. Pink Shirt Day Newspaper Article This engaging activity allows students to step into the role of reporters and journalists.
First, teach students about Pink Shirt Day, then encourage them to write their own newspaper article to spread the message!
Students can start from scratch or you can use my packet to save time. I wrote thorough directions of what to include, examples for each step of the process, and a variety of news article templates and line sizes to make it adaptable for different grade levels. This resource also includes important Pink Shirt Day information, such as “What is it?” “When is it?” and “How did it start?”—perfect for introducing the history and purpose behind the movement.
Students will enjoy interviewing their peers for quotes, just like real journalists, while practicing their writing and communication skills.
This no-prep, differentiated activity is ideal for promoting anti-bullying discussions, and the final articles can make a wonderful bulletin board display for the month of February. Win, win, win.
2. T-Shirt Design Pages My little preschooler was being camera shy but this one was made with him in mind! You can simply draw a t-shirt outline on a piece of paper and have your kiddo color them in, use craft materials, or fill them up with pink small parts! I had pink tissue squares on hand, but pipe cleaners, beads, and Grapat mandala were the stars of the show today.
If you’re too busy to prep this, I get it! Let me suggest my packet that includes a variety of t-shirt design templates, kindness phrases, and activities like coloring, line tracing, and mazes! This is a wonderful way to introduce the concept of kindness to younger students while helping them develop their fine motor skills.
These t-shirt design pages can be added to morning baskets, used as craft projects, classroom displays, and/or to spark meaningful conversations about bullying and kindness.
Whether you’re looking to create an engaging Pink Shirt Day activity for older students or a creative craft for younger learners, I hope these ideas help guide your classroom or homeschool toward a more inclusive and kind environment.
