International Dot Day 2025 Teaching Resources
Celebrate International Dot Day 2025 with printable Dot Day activities, Dot Day-themed maths worksheets, bookmarks kids can colour and more teaching resources to boost your students' creativity and help encourage bravery and courage! These International Dot Day activities for kids were all created by teachers to help make your celebration a success.
Maybe you're wondering 'what is Dot Day' and when will this international event be celebrated in Australian classrooms? Or maybe you're just looking for fresh ideas and activities for your classroom. Get to know more about this event with a primer from the Teach Starter team of teachers! Plus, read on for some more Peter H. Reynolds books you can add to your SEL lessons.
What Is International Dot Day All About?
The story of Dot Day begins with a children's storybook called The Dot. It was written and illustrated by American author Peter H. Reynolds and released on 15 September 2003.
The book tells the story of Vashti, a little girl who is struggling with her art. Vashti's art teacher comes to the rescue, and the little girl in the picture book learns to believe in herself and her abilities and discovers that even a simple dot can be a work of art.
The now world-famous book encourages kids to embrace their creativity and never give up on their dreams. It literally encourages kids to 'make their mark' on the world!
Who Created Dot Day? Meet Terry Shay!
The book inspired American teacher Terry Shay so much that he created Dot Day in 2009 to inspire his own students to be more creative and to express themselves through art.
He shared the idea with other teachers, and the celebration began to spread. Schools worldwide (and here in Australia!) now celebrate International Dot Day by reading the story and then getting creative with fun Dot Day activities.
When Is International Dot Day 2025?
International Dot Day will be held on 15 September 2025 all around the world.
This global celebration of creativity, courage and collaboration is typically held around the 15th of September to celebrate the publication of the book.
Because 15 September is a Monday in 2025, you will have no problem completing your Dot Day activities with your students!
Fun Dot Day Activities for Kids
Looking for some fun Dot Day activities to do along with the teacher resources featured in this collection? Here are some ideas from our teacher team to inspire you and your class!
- Have your students transform a collection of blank dots into a creative masterpiece.
- Set up an International Dot Day display in your classroom with your students' very own masterpieces.
- Organise a Dot Day STEM challenge. Students can use sticky tack and toothpicks to create different 3D shapes.
- Create a Dot Day Hat.
- Design a Dot Day t-shirt.
More Peter Reynolds' Books to Add to Your Classroom Library
If you love the message of The Dot — and so do your students — you might want to consider adding more of Peter Reynolds' books to your classroom library to inspire future social emotional learning lessons!
Here are a few favourites from our teacher team, along with some ideas on how to incorporate them into your lesson plans:
Ish
In this story from The Dot creator, a little boy named Ramon loves to draw. One day, Ramon's brother makes a negative comment about his artwork, and Ramon loses confidence in his abilities. Fortunately, Ramon's sister helps him to see that art can be 'ish' — meaning it doesn't have to be perfect.
The story is a great mentor text to read when introducing resilience and encouraging them to embrace imperfections.
Happy Dreamer
Happy Dreamer is another Reynolds book that makes a perfect mentor text when introducing a lesson on self-acceptance and embracing individuality.
The story highlights the fact that not all learners fit into traditional moulds. There's beauty to be found in being a dreamer, a thinker and a creator!
The Word Collector
The title of The Word Collector may have already given you the sense that this book could fit into a lesson on language and the power of words.
Indeed the story of little Jerome, a boy who collects words that inspire him and make him feel something, is a good one for English teachers to use to promote vocabulary development and appreciation for the richness of language.
Be You!
This Reynolds book is a favourite among our teacher team members for reading on the first day of school to set the tone for a positive and inclusive classroom.
Reynolds tells readers to 'be your own work of art' in this colourful book that's perfect for teachers from foundation through year 2.
Say Something
In this final favourite Peter H. Reynolds book from our teacher team, you'll find motivational messaging you can use to teach your students the importance of using their voices to make the world a better place. The story tells kids, 'The world needs your voice!'
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Dot Day Colour By Number Printable - Upper Years
Integrate Dot Day concepts into your maths lessons with printable Dot Day Multiplication and Division colour-by-number worksheets.
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Make Your Mark! Dot Day Art Journal Cover
Encourage creativity and artistic expression by making an art journal with a custom Dot Day Art Journal Cover.
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Dot Painting ABC Worksheets
Build fine motor skills and letter recognition with a fun set of Alphabet Do-a-Dot printables.
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Dot Day Growth Mindset Word Search
Use this Dot Day word search activity to encourage students to Make Their Mark!
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My Little Dot Book - Circle Art Mini Book
Create a miniature Dot Book on International Dot Day with a printable mini book template.
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Circle Art Game - Kandinsky Art Scoot
Introduce your students to the circle art masterpieces of Russian artist Wassily Kandinsky with a fun Dot Day Drawing Game.
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Design a Dot Day Shirt Creativity Task
Design a Dot Day shirt with a fun, creative t-shirt template.
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Dot Day Mandala Template
Celebrate International Dot Day in style with a printable Dot Day Mandala Template.
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Dot Day Bookmarks - Colour-In Activity
Create colourful Dot Day bookmarks with this fun and easy-to-prepare bookmarks colour-in template.
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International Dot Day Hat - Craft Activity
Do something different on International Dot Day and make a wearable Dot Day hat to show off your students’ creativity.
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Counting to 100 - Dot Day Worksheet
Celebrate International Dot Day with this fun, hands-on way to practise counting to 100.
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International Dot Day Classroom Display
Get creative on International Dot Day with this bulletin board display and activity.
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International Dot Day Creativity Challenge - Early Years
Get creative on International Dot Day with a creativity challenge worksheet for early years students.
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All About Circles Mini Booklet
A mini booklet to assist younger students in recognising and drawing circles.
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International Dot Day Ideas for Celebrating at School
Join in the International Dot Day celebrations with your students by reading the inspiring story 'The Dot' and getting creative with activities!