Author: Lisa Mungovan

Raisinets have been around since 1927. Every hour, more than 1,000,000 of the chocolate-coated raisins are produced. How many do you think you could eat in an hour? Today is Chocolate Covered Raisin Day, so indulge yourself! You can pretend they’re a healthy snack. After all, they are full of fruit!

Today is World Bear Day. Kodiak and grizzlies are types of brown bears. Kodiaks are over 10 feet tall when they stand on their hind legs! Polar bears can reach 7-8 feet. There are also Asiatic and American black bears, sun bears, spectacled bears, sloth bears, and panda bears. Which one is your favorite?

Here’s a fun project, to celebrate Chip And Dip Day. Survey your family and friends, about their favorite chips and dips. Then have a party, with a chip-and-dip buffet! Tortilla chips with guacamole, potato chips with sour cream and onion dip, or sweet potato chips with hummus, are some common combos.

Woof woof! Get ready for cuteness, because it’s Puppy Day! Hopefully all you people with adorable wiggly puppies will take them for walks, to share them with the rest of us. Just to make things fair, it’s also Cuddly Kitten Day. Shelters are full of adoptable kittens, if you need a playful new pal!

Today is Chia Day. Tiny chia seeds are full of nutrients, so you can add them to anything for a healthy boost. Plant them on clay shapes, and grow your own Chia-Pet! It’s also Tamale Day. Cornmeal dough, called masa, is stuffed with sweet or savory fillings, wrapped in leaves, and steamed. They’re delicious!

New Zealand has given the title of Fish of the Year, to the Northland mudfish. The freshwater mudfish beat out species like longfin eels, big-bellied seahorses, great white sharks, and last year’s winner, the blobfish. Despite the mudfish’s tendency to bury itself in the mud, it now gets its moment in the sun.

Today is International Seal Day. These marine mammals, called pinnipeds, range from the 99-pound Galapagos fur seal, to the 8,500-pound Southern elephant seal. They can grow 16 feet long! Seals can sleep underwater, and hold their breath for up to 2 hours, but they also love basking in the sun on rocks or piers.

Today is World Water Day, organized by the United Nations. This year’s theme is, “Water and Gender; Where water flows, equality grows.” Hundreds of millions of people around the world, don’t have access to clean water, and it affects women even more. Freshwater sources can easily get polluted, in any community.

Your parents or grandparents might look old to you, but they probably picture themselves as much younger. Today is As Young As You Feel Day, so invite your ancient relatives, to act like kids again. Play some soccer, go to the playground and swing, or have a dance party. They’ll be all smiles!

Today is West Virginia Day. When Virginia seceded from the Union during the time of the Civil War, the western part refused to join the Confederates, and formed the 35th state of West Virginia instead. Okay, you learned something. Now you’re excused, to enjoy Goof Off Day. Have fun!