Happy May Day! Here’s How to Make It Special This Year

Today is May 1st, and in our family, that means it’s May Day. Since my oldest was 2, each year, we’ve spent part of May Day creating May Baskets full of spring flowers and dropping them off on the doorsteps of friends and neighbors, trying not to be discovered. This tradition is meant to spread kindness and celebrate the coming of spring. It is a highlight of our year, a real point of connection between our family and those around us—especially those who live alone and really appreciate the extra touch-in. And, it has helped to hook our kids on kindness.

In recent days, I’ve had a real pause about whether or not we should continue our tradition. Is it safe to leave May Baskets? Should we just let this May Day go? Then, this morning, I watched the video that our elementary school principal circulates each day. He shared the following quote from the 14th Dalai Lama submitted by a 5th grader, and it kicked me into May Day action:

Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.

Please continue to stay safe, but join us in celebrating May Day today or over this weekend, showing kindness to those around you. Here are five quick ideas. Please share yours, too!

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Deliver May Baskets, at a distance.

We’re going to create jars full of cut flowers from the yard to leave six feet from our neighbors’ doorsteps. It may be hard to pull this off where you live, so adapt or adjust as needed. Check out our quick how-to for more on May Baskets.

Make a May Day display for others to see.

Put some flowers on the stoop, in your window or along your sidewalk with a “Happy May Day” sign. Even if only one person sees it as they stroll, bike or drive by, you’ve spread happiness and kindness. Spark empathy by talking with kids about what people may think, feel and do when they see your display.

Paint or draw “happiness rocks” and spread them around the neighborhood.

There’s no contact required for other people to see colorful rocks with messages of love, peace and happiness as they stroll along the sidewalk or in flower beds. Enjoy the making and the sharing associated with this simple, powerful way of being kind.

Sing and send a song.

Today, our kids are rewriting “Twinkle Twinkle” to share what they love about their grandparents. When they are done, we’ll send that to them to share a little May Day joy. Even if you are just singing a song you know someone else will love, you can send kindness through the airwaves to those you love.

Meghan Fitzgerald

Founder

After 18 years as an educator, curriculum developer and school leader, Meghan has her dream gig—an entrepreneur/educator/mom who helps families everywhere, including hers, learn outside. Prior to Tinkergarten®, Meghan worked as an Elementary School Principal, a Math/Science Specialist & and a teacher in public and private schools in NY, MA and CA. She earned a BA with majors in English and Psychology at Amherst College, an MS in Educational Leadership at Bank Street College, and was trained to become a Forest School leader at Bridgwater College, UK. When she is with her kids, Meghan is that unapologetic mom who plays along with them in mud, dances in the pouring rain, and builds a darn good snow igloo with her bare hands.