Celebrate with Compassion: Holiday Writing Prompts to Foster Empathy for Animals

1. New Year’s Day, January 1. The first day of the new year is when people make New Year’s resolutions. A New Year’s resolution is like a promise to do something good for yourself or others. Make a promise to do something good for yourself and animals in the New Year.

2. Veganuary, the month of January. Veganuary (pronounced vee-gan-u-airy) is a special holiday where people eat vegan food for the entire month of January. Vegan food comes from plants, not animals. What is your favorite vegan food or drink?

3. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the third Monday of January. Martin Luther King, Jr. dreamed of a better world for all people. What is your dream of a better world for all animals?

4. Groundhog Day, February 2. Groundhog Day is a holiday for guessing if Spring will arrive early or if Winter will last another six weeks. Unfortunately, groundhogs are often used in this tradition, which isn’t very kind to them. Imagine you are an animal living outdoors—would you prefer an early Spring or a longer Winter? Why?

5. Valentine’s Day, February 14. Valentine’s Day is a holiday for saying and doing nice things for others. If you were going to give a Valentine’s Day card to your favorite animal, what would it say?

6. President’s Day, the third Monday in February. If you could be president for the day, what law would you make to help animals? (A law is like a rule that people have to follow.)

7. World Wildlife Day, March 3. The planet is not just our home; it’s home to every animal, big and small. How can we make the planet a better place for animals who live in nature?

8. St. Patrick’s Day, March 17. Animals are lucky to have you as a friend because you can stand up for them and make sure they’re being treated with kindness. Write about a friend you feel lucky to have and why.

9. Easter, a Sunday between March 22 and April 25. Sometimes people celebrate Easter by giving gifts, but it’s important to remember that living animals are not gifts. Write about your favorite stuffed animal and one thing you like to do with it.

10. National Pet Companion Animal Day, April 11. It’s nice to call animals who live in our homes “companion animals.” A companion is someone we spend our time with, like dogs or cats. What is your favorite thing to do with your companion animal? If you don’t have a companion animal, what would you do with them if you did have one?

11. Earth Day, April 22. The earth is our only home, and we must take care of it. How do you show the earth you care for it?

12. National Eat More Fruits and Vegetables Day, May 21. It’s nice to eat more fruits and veggies because they are super healthy for us. What is your favorite fruit or vegetable, and why?

13. World Ocean Day, June 8. The oceans are beautiful homes to many kinds of sea animals. Write about something you can do to make sure the oceans stay clean and beautiful.

14. Independence Day, July 4. Loud fireworks are scary for dogs and other animals who don’t know what the noises are. What is something fun we can do to celebrate the 4^th of July that doesn’t scare animals?

15. Labor Day, the first Monday in September. Labor Day is a holiday to thank the people who have jobs and work in America. If you could write a thank you note to someone whose job is to help animals, who would you write to? What would you say to them?

16. World Gratitude Day, September 21. To have gratitude means to be grateful for something. Animals are grateful when we are nice to them. What is something you’re grateful for?

17. Hug a Vegan Day, the last Friday of September. “Hug a Vegan” Day is a holiday dedicated to hugging those who are making a huge difference for animals – vegans! If you could hug a vegan, what would you say to them?

18. World Animal Day, October 4. World Animal Day was created so people can learn about the things animals want and need to live happy lives. What are three things that animals need to live happy lives?

19. Halloween, October 31. Halloween is a time for dressing up in fun costumes. If you could dress up as any animal, what kind of animal would you be? Describe your costume.

20. Diwali, 5 days between mid-October and mid-November. Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is celebrated in India and many other parts of the world. During Diwali, families get together, share yummy treats, and give each other gifts. They also decorate their homes with lots of lights, including candles, lanterns, and lamps. Think of a companion animal who you care about. What gift would you give them to celebrate this holiday?

21. Dia de los Muertos, traditionally celebrated on November 1 and 2. Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a special holiday where people celebrate and remember their loved ones who have passed away. They decorate tables called altars with things like pictures, flowers, candles, and other nice things. What special things would you put on an altar to show a companion animal you cared about them? If you don’t have a companion animal, think about an animal you like.

22. World Kindness Day, November 13. On World Kindness Day (and all other days) we should be kind to everyone, including animals, too! How do you show kindness to animals?

23. Thanksgiving, the fourth Thursday in November. Turkeys are sweet animals who form friendships and even purr when they’re being pet or cuddled. If you could be friends with a turkey, what do you think they would enjoy doing with you?

24. Hanukkah, 8 days beginning in late November or December. Hanukkah is a special holiday where people light candles on something called a menorah for eight nights, play fun games, spend time with their families, and eat tasty foods like latkes, which are made from potatoes. If you could celebrate Hanukkah with your favorite animal, what games would you play?

25. Christmas, December 25. Christmas is a time of year for doing nice things for others. If you could write a letter to Santa and ask him to do something nice for animals, what would you ask for and why?

1. New Year’s Day, January 1. It is a tradition on New Year’s Day to write down your resolutions for the new year. Resolutions are things you plan to do to make the new year better than the last. What resolution can you make that helps animals?

2. Veganuary, the month of January. Veganuary (pronounced vee-gan-u-airy) is a special holiday that encourages people to follow a vegan lifestyle for the entire month of January (31 days). Being vegan means you don’t eat any type of food that comes from an animal, like meat, dairy, eggs, and honey. The goal is to help people see how what people eat helps animals, the planet, and people’s health. If you could complete the challenge, what do you think your favorite part would be?

3. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the third Monday of January. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, where he talked about his wish for a better world for all people, regardless of how they looked. If animals could give their own “I Have a Dream” speech, what do you think they would say?

4. Groundhog Day, February 2. On Groundhog Day, it has been a longstanding tradition to use a groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil to predict whether Spring will come early or if Winter will last for six more weeks. Imagine you could create a new tradition to predict the weather without using an animal – what creative and humane idea would you come up with?

5. Valentine’s Day, February 14. Valentine’s Day is a holiday for saying and doing nice things for others, but usually, it’s just for other humans. Write about something nice you could do for animals. Why do you think they would like it?

6. President’s Day, the third Monday in February. This holiday is celebrated in honor of the achievements of all U.S. presidents. Write about an achievement you would hope to make for animals if you were president.

7. World Wildlife Day, March 3. Humans share Earth with millions of other species of animals. Just like we wouldn’t want someone coming into our home and getting it dirty or destroying it, animals don’t want people coming into their home (nature) and getting it dirty or destroying it. Write about three things we can do to protect nature and the animals who live in it.

8. St. Patrick’s Day, March 17. Animals need humans to be their friends because we have the power to help them. Think about a time you did something nice for an animal and write yourself a letter from the animal’s perspective. Start the letter with, “I am lucky to have you as a friend because…”.

9. Easter, a Sunday between March 22 and April 25. Sometimes people celebrate Easter by giving gifts, but it’s important to remember that living animals are not gifts. Animals need a lot of care, like healthy food, a safe place to live, and visits to the vet. They also need lots of love and attention to be happy, which not everyone can give. Pretend you’re an animal and complete the following sentence: I don’t want to be given away as a gift because…

10. National Pet Companion Animal Day, April 11. It’s nice to call animals who live in our homes “companion animals.” A companion is someone we spend our time with, like cats or dogs. What is your favorite thing to do with your companion animal? If you don’t have a companion animal, what would you do with them if you did have one?

11. Earth Day, April 22. This is a day dedicated to celebrating the Earth and raising awareness about the importance of protecting it. Why do you think protecting the Earth is important to the animals who live in nature?

12. National Eat More Fruits and Vegetables Day, May 21. Fruits and vegetables are like superheroes for our bodies! They are full of vitamins and nutrients that help keep us strong and healthy. Imagine you’re a superhero who gets a special superpower boost from eating a certain fruit or vegetable. What is your superhero name? Which fruit or vegetable gives you your superpower? What is your superpower, and who would you help by using it?

13. World Ocean Day, June 8. Our oceans keep our planet alive by regulating the climate and creating most of the oxygen we breathe, and they’re home to millions of species of marine animals and aquatic plants. What does “respecting our oceans” mean to you? What is something you can do to protect our oceans and the sea life in them?

14. Independence Day, July 4. Fireworks might be a popular way to celebrate the 4^th of July, but that doesn’t mean we should use them. Fireworks are very scary to animals who don’t understand what they are. Imagine you’re an animal. How do you think you’d feel when suddenly there were loud booms and bright lights all around you, and you couldn’t escape?

15. Labor Day, the first Monday in September. Labor Day is a day to recognize the humans who work in this country and remember the history of labor in the U.S. But some humans force animals to work. Horses who are forced to pull carriages don’t get to enjoy a natural life. Write about how you would feel if you were forced to work and weren’t allowed to do the things you love. What would you miss the most?

16. World Gratitude Day, September 21. To have gratitude means to be grateful for something. On World Gratitude Day, we are reminded to express gratitude for the things in our lives that we care about. Animals can also feel grateful for things. Imagine you’re an animal and write about three things you’re grateful for and why.

17. Hug a Vegan Day, the last Friday of September. “Hug a Vegan” Day is a holiday dedicated to hugging those who are making a huge difference for animals – vegans! Write about someone you know or admire who is vegan. They could be a friend, family member, or someone famous, like a singer or movie star. What have they done or said that makes you want to hug them? If you don’t know anyone who is vegan, write about someone who is kind to animals.

18. World Animal Day, October 4. World Animal Day is meant to raise awareness about animal issues, like the challenges they face and the protections they need to live peaceful and happy lives. Every animal is a living being with thoughts, feelings, and a special personality of their own, just like us. What are three things that animals need to live happy lives?

19. Halloween, October 31. Halloween is a popular time for spooky fun and superstitions, but did you know some superstitions can hurt animals? A superstition is a false belief that people think is true, even though there’s no real proof. For example, one superstition says that seeing a black cat means bad luck. Because of this, many black cats end up in shelters because people are afraid to adopt them. Imagine you are a black cat at a shelter. Explain how it makes you feel that some people are afraid of you just because of a silly superstition. How can we change our feelings and actions to be kind to all animals, including black cats?

20. Diwali, 5 days between mid-October and mid-November. Diwali, also called the Festival of Lights, is a special holiday celebrated in India and many other parts of the world. It represents the victory of good over bad, and light over darkness. Write about a time you did something good for another animal.

21. Dia de los Muertos, traditionally celebrated on November 1 and 2. Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a special holiday where people celebrate and remember their loved ones who have passed away by making colorful altars. An altar is a special table where people put important, nice things like pictures, flowers, candles, and favorite foods. It’s like making a special place to show how much you care about them. Imagine you are making an altar for an animal you love. What special things would you put on it to remember them?

22. World Kindness Day, November 13. World Kindness Day was created to encourage people to be kind to one another, but kindness should include animals, too – not just humans. Think about a time when you were kind to an animal. What did you do? If you haven’t been in a situation where you could be kind to an animal, what do you think you could do to be kind to an animal?

23. Thanksgiving, the fourth Thursday in November. It is an American tradition to eat turkeys on Thanksgiving. But what if we asked turkeys what they were thankful for instead? If you asked a turkey what they were thankful for, what do you think they would say?

24. Hanukkah, 8 days beginning in late November or December. Hanukkah is a special holiday where people light candles on a menorah for eight nights. This celebrates a miracle from long ago when a small amount of oil kept a lamp burning for eight days in a temple. If you could make a wish for animals on each of the eight nights, what would your wishes be?

25. Christmas, December 25. Christmas is a time for families and friends to be together. It’s important to remember that animals have friends and families too, and we should let them live in peace. If you could give a Christmas wish to animals, what would you want for them?

1. New Year’s Day, January 1. At the start of a new year, it’s tradition to make “New Year’s resolutions” to make the new year better than the last. Think about a tradition that hurts animals and write about how you could change the tradition so that no one is harmed. Then write a New Year’s Resolution that could help animals, and explain how it would help them.

2. Veganuary, the month of January. Veganuary (pronounced vee-gan-u-airy) challenges people to try a vegan lifestyle for the month of January, which means not eating any animal products like meat, dairy, eggs, or honey. The goal is to show people how being vegan can help animals, the planet, and our health. Think about what would happen if a large percentage of people decided to go vegan. How could this change our world?

3. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the third Monday of January. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a social justice and human rights activist who worked to make the world a better place for all people, regardless of how they looked. Consider the following MLK Jr. quote and explain what you think it means.

4. Groundhog Day, February 2. Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog used for a Groundhog Day celebration in Pennsylvania every year, is kept on display year-round at the local library, denying him the chance to hibernate – a natural behavior for groundhogs. How do you feel about humans restricting animals from performing their natural behaviors just for our entertainment? Think about a natural human behavior, like socializing or sleeping. How would you feel if you were prevented from doing something essential to your well-being?

5. Valentine’s Day, February 14. When thinking of Valentine’s Day, people probably think about love for other people instead of self-love. Self-love is important because the way we talk to and treat ourselves helps shape us into the people we become. Write down 5-10 kind things to say to yourself and explain what kind of person you hope to become.

6. President’s Day, the third Monday in February. President’s Day is celebrated to honor the contributions made by American Presidents, particularly Washington and Lincoln. While many presidents have made significant strides in various areas, there is still room for improvement in terms of animal protection and welfare. If you were to run for president, how would you include animals in your campaign?

7. World Wildlife Day, March 3. Humans coexist on Earth with millions of other animal species. Just as we wouldn’t appreciate someone intruding into our homes and damaging them, animals deserve their habitats to be respected and preserved. Write about three actions we can take to protect nature and the animals who inhabit it. How would each action contribute to environmental conservation and/or the well-being of animals?

8. St. Patrick’s Day, March 17. St. Patrick’s Day may be known for green shamrocks and luck, but for many animals, luck is in short supply. They depend on you and feel lucky when you’re on their side. What are some things you can do for animals that would make them feel lucky to have you on their side?

9. Easter, a Sunday between March 22 and April 25. Sometimes people celebrate Easter by giving gifts, but it’s important to remember that living animals are not gifts. Animals need a lot of care, like healthy food, a safe place to live, and visits to the vet. They also need lots of love and attention to be happy, which not everyone can give. Pretend you’re an animal and complete the following sentence: I don’t want to be given away as a gift because …

10. National Pet Companion Animal Day, April 11. It’s nice to call animals who live in our homes “companion animals.” A companion is someone we spend our time with. What is your favorite thing to do with your companion animal? If you don’t have a companion animal, what would you do with them if you did have one?

11. Earth Day, April 22. This day is for celebrating the Earth and highlighting the need to protect it. Why is it crucial to preserve natural habitats for the animals that live there? Think about the effects of pollution, deforestation, and climate change on wildlife. What actions can we take to support environmental conservation and ensure a sustainable future for all living beings?

12. National Eat More Fruits and Vegetables Day, May 21. People often take for granted what they have, especially when it comes to food. There are over 6,500 food deserts in the U.S. A food desert is an area with limited access to healthy foods like fruits and vegetables. Explain how someone living in a food desert might react differently to ‘National Eat More Fruits and Vegetables Day’ compared to someone with regular access to these foods.

13. World Ocean Day, June 8. Our oceans are vital for regulating the climate and producing most of the oxygen we breathe, serving as home to millions of marine species and plants. However, due to overfishing and pollution, it’s predicted that we could face fishless oceans by 2050. Write a letter to future generations starting with, ” I did my part to help the oceans by…”. Continue your letter by listing the ways you’re working to save the oceans. If you’re not currently taking any actions, write about something you plan to start doing to protect our oceans.

14. Independence Day, July 4. Fireworks may be dazzling for some people to watch, but they have devastating effects on animals. Imagine how scary it must be for companion animals and wildlife who have no idea what the loud booms and blinding lights are. Dogs and cats run away from home or get hit by cars, wildlife abandons their homes, and migratory species are thrown off course and get lost. Not to mention the smoke from fireworks is full of chemicals and pollutes the air, soil, and water, and the lungs of anyone who breathes it in. What could you say to persuade your local city official to ban fireworks? Be sure to explain why you’re asking them to ban fireworks.

15. Labor Day, the first Monday in September. Labor Day is a day to recognize the humans who work in this country and remember the history of labor in the U.S. But some humans force animals to work. When they’re not being forced to pull heavy carriages in traffic-filled streets, many horses who are exploited for carriage rides are kept cooped up in small, concrete stables without space to roam. Is it ethical to force an animal to live an unnatural life of forced labor just for human entertainment? Why or why not?

16. World Gratitude Day, September 21. Gratitude means being mindful, appreciating what we have, and not taking things for granted. But have you ever thought about being grateful for the animals we share this planet with? List and explain three reasons why humans should be thankful for animals. Then answer the question, “Should animals be grateful for humans?” Why or why not?

17. Hug a Vegan Day, the last Friday of September. “Hug a Vegan” Day is a holiday dedicated to hugging those who are making a huge difference for animals – vegans! Write about someone you know or admire who is vegan. They could be a friend, family member, or someone famous, like a singer or movie star. What have they done or said that makes you want to hug them? If you don’t know anyone who is vegan, write about someone who is kind to animals.

18. Cut Out Dissection Month, October. Dissecting animals isn’t a good way to learn about them—it’s just cruel! Millions of frogs are stolen from their homes every year to be used for classroom dissection. Can you imagine how scary that must be for them? If someone ever asks you to dissect an animal, what will you say and why?

19. World Animal Day, October 4. World Animal Day is meant to raise awareness about animal issues, like the challenges they face and the protections they need to live peaceful and happy lives. Every animal is a living being with thoughts, feelings, and a special personality of their own, just like us. What are three things that animals need to live happy lives.

20. Halloween, October 31. Halloween can be a perfect time to get active for animals. Think about a message that would raise awareness about an animal issue. You could give the message through a carved pumpkin, a costume, Halloween lights, or a display of decorations in your yard. Get creative. What would your message be, and what method would you use to get your message across? Describe it.

21. Diwali, 5 days between mid-October and mid-November. Diwali, known as the Festival of Lights, is celebrated in India and many other parts of the world. This holiday symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. Think about a moment in your life (or a story you’ve heard or a movie you’ve seen) involving animals that reflect these themes. Write about an experience where light conquered darkness, good defeated evil, or knowledge prevailed over ignorance. Describe what happened and how it made you feel.

22. Dia de los Muertos, traditionally celebrated on November 1 and 2. Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a special holiday where people honor and remember their loved ones who have passed away. They create beautiful altars with photos, candles, flowers, and favorite foods of those they are remembering. Imagine you are celebrating Dia de los Muertos to honor an animal. It could be an endangered or extinct animal, a companion animal, an animal you saw in a movie or read about in a book, or an animal you saw in nature. Explain why honoring this animal is significant to you.

23. World Kindness Day, November 13. World Kindness Day was created to encourage people to be kind to one another, but kindness should include animals, too—not just people. Empathy and kindness go hand in hand. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. It’s like putting yourself in someone else’s shoes and trying to see things from their perspective. Explain how having empathy for an animal leads to showing kindness towards them.

24. Thanksgiving, the fourth Thursday in November. In America, it’s a tradition to eat turkeys on Thanksgiving. But what if you got to know them? Turkeys’ personalities are as varied and distinct as those of humans. They enjoy listening to music and often loudly sing along. They are extremely curious and are always checking out interesting sights, sounds, and visitors. They play together, they make a purring sound much like cats do, and they love to look their best by grooming their feathers with dust baths and “preening” with their beaks. They are very bonded to their young, and in nature, mother turkeys courageously defend their families against predators. Consider these facts and write about what they might be thankful for if given the chance. Think about how our holiday traditions affect animals and their well-being.

25. Hanukkah, 8 days beginning in late November or December. Hanukkah celebrates the miracle of a small amount of oil that kept a lamp burning for eight days in a temple. People light candles on a menorah, play games like dreidel, enjoy foods like latkes and jelly donuts, and spend time with family and friends. Think about the themes of Hanukkah, such as miracles, perseverance, and the importance of family. Write a short paragraph about how one of these themes is important in the animal world. It could be an amazing thing an animal did that felt like a miracle, how animals show perseverance in nature, or why family is important to animals, too.

26. Christmas. December 25. Christmas is a time for families and friends to come together. Remember, animals also have their own families and deserve to live in peace. If you could give a Christmas wish to animals, what would it be? How can we ensure animals enjoy the same love and safety that we seek during the holiday season?