296 saved#493 of 6,224

National Family Day

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

Saturday

September 2026

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

Have an update or spot an error?

YEARLY DATESeptember 26

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYRelationships

SUBCATEGORYFamily

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

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!

DEALS & OFFERS

Past offers

No active deals yet — here’s who’s celebrated before.

Nothing yet for 2026

Brands typically announce offers a week before the date. Check back closer to the day.

1 brand has run a deal

Great Wolf Lodge

See past offers

TIMELINE

National Family Day Timeline

National Family Day Creation

National Family Day was founded by President Bill Clinton to emphasize the importance of family.

First Nationwide Celebration

The first Nationwide celebration took place two years after its creation, with families encouraged to enjoy activities together.

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.

Presidential Proclamation

President George W. Bush issued an official proclamation recognizing September 26 as National Family Day.

Family Day Social Media Movement

The "#MyFamilySelfie" social media campaign was launched, encouraging families to share pictures together, further popularizing the holiday.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Family Day

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.

HOST

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.

BAKE

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.

ORGANIZE

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.

WRITE

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 THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love National Family Day

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.

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!

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!