Celebrated every year on September 15th, International Dot Day is inspired by the beloved picture book The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds. This empowering story follows a young girl named Vashti who learns that making just one small mark can lead to a journey of creativity and self-expression. At The Kids Point, we believe in encouraging children to explore their artistic side while integrating meaningful lessons that help them grow. Dot Day is the perfect opportunity to blend fun, creativity, and education into engaging activities that kids of all ages will love.
This guide explores a variety of Dot Day activities designed to stimulate creativity, encourage critical thinking, and promote collaboration. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or caregiver, you’ll find something here to spark imaginations and celebrate the unique marks that every child can make.
Host a Dot Art Gallery
Create a mini art gallery using the children’s dot-themed artwork. Use gold frames, printable templates, or handmade borders using cardboard and paint. Let kids use markers, watercolors, or dot paints to create original dot masterpieces. Once complete, host a gallery walk where each child presents their artwork and talks about their inspiration.
Materials Needed:
- Paper
- Paints, crayons, or markers
- Optional: frames or cardboard borders
Why It’s Fun: Kids get to see their work displayed proudly, boosting confidence and reinforcing the message that every mark matters.
DIY Dot T-Shirts
Turn plain T-shirts into wearable art. Use fabric paint and Q-tips or sponges to decorate T-shirts with colorful dots. Kids can express themselves by choosing their favorite colors and dot patterns.
Materials Needed:
- Plain white T-shirts
- Fabric paints
- Q-tips, sponges, or stencils
Why It’s Fun: This hands-on activity lets kids create something they can proudly wear to celebrate Dot Day.
Dot-Inspired Story Time and Writing Prompt
Start by reading The Dot aloud. Then, ask kids to write a short story inspired by a dot they make on paper. Encourage them to use their imagination: what does the dot become? A planet? A magical doorway? A friendly creature?
Materials Needed:
- The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds
- Paper and pencils
Why It’s Fun: Combines reading comprehension with storytelling and imagination, while reinforcing the book’s message.
Nature Dot Hunt
Take kids on a nature walk to discover natural dots in the world around them. Look for spotted leaves, polka-dotted stones, or speckled flowers. Take photos or bring items back to class and discuss what they found.
Materials Needed:
- Cameras or phones (optional)
- Paper and crayons for nature rubbings
Why It’s Fun: Combines outdoor play with observational skills and creative thinking.
Dot Collage Creation
Provide various dot-shaped items like buttons, stickers, and paper cutouts. Let children glue these items onto a canvas or cardboard to form a colorful dot collage.
Materials Needed:
- Buttons, paper circles, stickers
- Glue
- Cardstock or canvas board
Why It’s Fun: Encourages creativity and fine motor skills while letting kids explore textures and shapes.
STEAM Dot Science Experiment
Try a fun science activity using coffee filters, markers, and water. Kids draw dots on the coffee filters, then add water to see how the colors spread. This is a great introduction to chromatography.
Materials Needed:
- Coffee filters
- Washable markers
- Droppers or spray bottles with water
Why It’s Fun: Combines science and art while teaching kids about solubility and color mixing.
Dot Day Math Games
Use dot stickers to create ten frames or play number matching games. Younger kids can count dots while older kids can use them for addition or multiplication exercises.
Materials Needed:
- Dot stickers
- Printable ten frames
Why It’s Fun: Reinforces math skills in a playful, tactile way.
Dot Sculptures with Playdough
Let kids use playdough to create 3D dot sculptures. They can roll small spheres, stack them, or form abstract dot designs.
Materials Needed:
- Playdough or modeling clay
Why It’s Fun: Great for tactile learners and allows for open-ended exploration.
Dot Day Mobile Craft
Create colorful mobiles using paper dots. Kids can decorate dots with patterns and then hang them using string or yarn from a hanger or dowel rod.
Materials Needed:
- Paper circles
- Markers, paints
- String or yarn
- Hanger or dowel
Why It’s Fun: Makes a beautiful decoration and teaches about balance and symmetry.
Digital Dot Creations
Use drawing apps or design software for kids to create digital dot art. This introduces them to digital creativity and can be shared with friends and family online.
Materials Needed:
- Tablet or computer
- Drawing app (like Tayasui Sketches, Procreate, or MS Paint)
Why It’s Fun: Gives tech-savvy kids a chance to explore artistic tools and design principles.
Dot Obstacle Course
Make a physical activity game with dot markers on the ground. Kids must hop from one dot to another, follow a pattern, or solve a puzzle at each dot.
Materials Needed:
- Colored dot markers or construction paper circles
- Open space
Why It’s Fun: Keeps kids active and engaged while following instructions or solving riddles.
Dot Around the World
Explore dots in global art by learning about Aboriginal dot painting, Yayoi Kusama’s installations, or pointillism in French painting. Let kids try one of these styles using Q-tips and paint.
Materials Needed:
- Q-tips
- Acrylic or tempera paints
- Paper
Why It’s Fun: Introduces children to different cultures and famous art styles through a common theme.
Dot-Themed Snacks
Create edible dot treats such as mini pancakes, cookies with chocolate chips, or fruit kebabs with circular slices of bananas, grapes, and strawberries.
Materials Needed:
- Ingredients for snacks
- Cookie cutters or small cups
Why It’s Fun: Turns snack time into a creative activity with a fun presentation.
Dot Day Pledge Wall
Have kids write pledges or goals on dot-shaped paper. These pledges can be about creativity, kindness, or trying something new. Display them on a classroom or home wall.
Materials Needed:
- Pre-cut paper circles
- Markers or crayons
Why It’s Fun: Encourages self-reflection and builds a sense of community and purpose.
Dot Animation or Stop Motion
Older kids can use stop-motion apps to create short animations using dot stickers or drawings. This teaches sequencing, planning, and basic video production.
Materials Needed:
- Dot stickers or paper
- Smartphone or tablet with stop-motion app
Why It’s Fun: A tech-savvy project that allows storytelling and artistic expression.
Dot Day is much more than a day of crafts—it’s a celebration of creativity, courage, and making your mark on the world. At The Kids Point, we’re passionate about helping children unlock their full potential through hands-on learning experiences. Whether you’re painting dots, writing stories, or exploring science and math through art, every child can participate in meaningful ways. So grab your supplies and get ready to make your mark this Dot Day!