Celebrate International Dot Day with Roylco💜
Every year on September 15th, kids, teachers, and parents around the world celebrate International Dot Day. A day inspired by Peter H. Reynolds' beloved book The Dot, all about making your mark and embracing creativity. Whether you're planning a full week of activities or just want one meaningful project, Roylco's circle-shaped craft supplies make it easy to bring Dot Day to life in the classroom or at home.
Quick facts about International Dot Day:
- 📅When: September 15th (annually)
- 📖Inspired by: The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds
- 🎯Mission: Encourage creativity, courage, and self-expression through art
- 🌍Reach: Celebrated by millions of educators and students in classrooms worldwide
What is International Dot Day?
International Dot Day started with a simple idea: one dot can be the beginning of something amazing. Inspired by The Dot, the day encourages kids to "make their mark," take a creative risk, and see where a single mark can take them. Schools, libraries, and homes around the world mark the occasion with hands-on activities that celebrate imagination over perfection.
Why Dot Day Matters
Dot Day activities help kids:
- Build creative confidence - starting with one small mark takes pressure off of "getting it right"
- Explore color and design - dots are a perfect entry point into color theory, pattern, and symmetry
- Practice fine motor skills - cutting, layering, and arranging circles build hand strength and coordination
- Collaborate with others - creating dot murals and collages teaches kids to build something bigger together
Learn more about International Dot Day HERE!
Circle Crafts for Dot Day:
🍎 For Teachers: Every product below works as a whole-class activity with minimal prep — just add water, markers, or glue.
👋 For Parents: These are just as easy to pull off at the kitchen table for an afternoon of low-mess creativity.
Products PERFECT for Dot Day!
1. Color Diffusing Circles
These absorbent paper circles are where the Dot Day magic really happens! Add liquid watercolor, washable markers, or (our personal favorite) PlusWater Paint. Once you've designed your circle, add water and watch as the colors bloom and spread across the paper. It's a perfect hands-on lesson in color mixing and capillary effect. Every color diffused circle is completely unique, just like every child's mark!
Try This: Have each student write something that is unique to them on top of their circle and hang them on a bulletin board. A perfect reminder of what makes every child unique!
2. Paper Circle Popz
For a more dimensional Dot Day craft, Paper Circle Popz allow kids to layer, fold, and stack different sized circles to create a one-of-a-kind craft! These are perfect for pop-up art, collages, or collaborative murals. Because they are offered in a range of sizes and colors, they're a perfect way to incorporate fine motor skills into the craft.
Try This: Hand each student a handful of Circle Popz and challenge them to turn their circles into animals, shapes, or whatever they can dream up. For an extra fine-motor boost, dump out a full set and have students sort and match the circles by color and pattern.
3. Tissue Circles
Tissue Circles bring texture and translucency to any of your Dot Day crafts. Layer them to create stained-glass-style suncatchers, twist them into dimension flowers (as shown on the left), or use them for a softer, more delicate take on Dot art. Their lightweight texture makes them especially good for younger students still building fine motor control.
Try This: Layer several tissue circles on contact paper and hang finished pieces on a window for a Dot Day "stained glass" display!
Make Your Mark This Dot Day💜
However you celebrate, Dot Day is about embracing imperfection and letting creativity lead. With Color Diffusing Circles, Paper Circle Popz, and Tissue Circles, Roylco makes it simple to turn on small dot into a whole day of hands-on learning and self-expression.
Made something for Dot Day? Tag @Roylco on Instagram or Facebook! We'd love to see how you celebrate Dot Day!
Check out how we used Color Diffusing Circles recently!
FAQ's
International Dot Day is celebrated every year on September 15th, though many classrooms extend activities throughout the week (often called "Dot Day Week").
