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International Dot Day

Unleash your creativity and celebrate International Dot Day with unique art projects, activities, and stories that explore the power of a single dot!

Tuesday

September 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATESeptember 15

OBSERVED INInternationally

CATEGORYSchool

SUBCATEGORYLiteracy

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

Get ready to let your imagination run wild on International Dot Day on September 15! This special day was created to celebrate the power of creativity and innovation, inspired by Peter H. Reynolds' children's book "The Dot." The story is all about a student who discovers her true artistic talent after being challenged by her teacher to make a mark and see where it takes her. Celebrate this day with activities like crafting or drawing that will help you explore your creative side!

TIMELINE

International Dot Day Timeline

Release of "The Dot"

Peter H. Reynolds publishes "The Dot", a children's book that inspires young readers to embrace their creativity.

First International Dot Day

Teacher Terry Shay introduces the first International Dot Day in his classroom, inspired by Reynolds' book to celebrate creativity and "making your mark".

Dot Day Spreads Throughout Schools

Other teachers worldwide learn about International Dot Day and start celebrating it in their classrooms.

Million Dot Club

International Dot Day reaches over a million participants, coined as the "Million Dot Club".

Global Celebration

Over 10 million people from 170 countries participate in International Dot Day, making it a widespread celebration of creativity and self-expression.

Virtual Celebrations

Due to the global pandemic, many participants celebrate International Dot Day virtually through online activities and livestream events.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate International Dot Day

Examine dots

Take a closer look at the world around you – find dots in the sky, on plants, and in everyday objects. Spend some time exploring how different shapes can be created with dots and lines.

DRAW

Draw a dot painting

Grab some paper, markers, paint, or colored pencils and create a dot art masterpiece! You don’t have to be an artist to make something beautiful.

PLAY

Play a game of Dot to Dot

Challenge yourself or your friends with a game of dot to dot! Find dot to dot puzzles online or make your own.

INCORPORATE

Incorporate dots into your wardrobe

Wear something special that has polka dots or other patterns featuring dots to celebrate International Dot Day! If you’re feeling crafty, think about making your own shirt or accessory.

WATCH

Watch "The Dot"

The Dot" is an animated short film based on the book by Peter Reynolds that tells the story of Vashti, who discovers her creative spirit through the simple act of making a mark.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love International Dot Day

It promotes positive community building

International Dot Day shows us the importance of recognizing each individual’s unique gifts in order to reach collective success. Getting together with members of your community and pooling resources and ideas can result in powerful expressions of creativity and shared passions. In this way, International Dot Day encourages us to come together in order to generate greater impactful results than we could have imagined alone.

It celebrates creativity and self-expression

International Dot Day is a celebration of all things creative! It encourages people to explore their imaginations and express themselves through art, music, writing, or any other form of creative expression. This holiday is a great reminder that we can make anything we put our minds to, so why not give it a try?

It's a great way to inspire kids

Kids of all ages can celebrate International Dot Day! Reading the book "The Dot" to your children could be a great way to kick off this day with an inspirational message about embracing one's own talents and having the courage to take risks. Additionally, working on projects as a family on this special day is an awesome way for kids to practice their creativity while spending quality time with loved ones!

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