Planning lessons around holidays, historical events, and seasonal themes can be a fun way to homeschool. It’s an excellent way for kids to learn about the world around them, including topics that aren’t usually covered in a textbook. Our family has enjoyed occasionally adding seasonal and holiday-themed lessons to our homeschool routine.

Below is a list of free unit studies, lesson plans, and activities for July. All of the holiday dates given are for 2023. Because the dates of some holidays vary, I will update this post each year. If you are looking for other months, check out our monthly unit studies and lesson plans page.

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Free July Unit Studies and Lessons for Month-Long Themes and Observances

National Blueberry Month (all July)

National Blueberry Month recognizes the importance of blueberry growers and the blueberry industry. July is part of the blueberry harvesting season in much of the U.S.

Nature Inspired Living– blueberry activity ideas
Family Consumer Sciences– blueberry pancake lab

National Hot Dog Month (all July)

National Hot Dog Month was first declared by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in 1956. During peak hot dog season, between Memorial Day and Labor Day, Americans eat around 7 billion franks, including 150 million hotdogs on July 4th alone. This makes July the obvious choice for a month celebrating hot dogs.

Teachers Pay Teachers– hot dog eating contest nonfiction reading response worksheets
Family Consumer Sciences– homemade hot dog buns lesson plan
Taste of Home– hot dog recipes

National Ice Cream Month (all July)

National Ice Cream Month began in 1984 when Senator Walter Dee Huddleston introduced a resolution to proclaim July National Ice Cream, and President Ronald Reagan signed the bill into law. As summer temperatures peak, it’s the perfect time to enjoy this cool treat. Additionally, the third Sunday in July is National Ice Cream Day.

Homeschool Share– unit study
The Best Ideas for Kids– ice cream in a bag recipe

National Picnic Month (all July)

National Picnic Month was founded by The American Bakers’ Association in 1952. Sometime this month, pack your picnic basket and head to your favorite outdoor spot to enjoy a meal.

Kids Activities Blog– picnic ideas
Taste of Home– kid-friendly picnic food recipes
Teachers Pay Teachers– printable emergent reader

National Parks and Recreation Month (all July)

National Parks and Recreation Month was designated by The National Recreation and Park Association in 1985. The month celebrates outdoor recreation and encourages everyone to explore their local parks and other recreational facilities.

Homeschool Giveaways & Freebies– national parks learning resources
Discover the Forest– outdoor activity ideas

Summer Break (varies)

Many homeschoolers choose to take a summer break during June and July, like public schools in the U.S.

Freedom Homeschooling– summer reading programs
Freedom Homeschooling– ways to prevent summer slide

Free July Unit Studies and Lessons for Week-Long Themes and Observances

Shark Week (July 11th to 18th)

Shark Week is an annual, week-long T.V. programming block on the Discovery Channel that features shark-based programming. The week occurs sometime in July or early August each year and was initially devoted to conservation efforts and correcting misconceptions about sharks.

Year Round Homeschooling– unit study
Great Peace Living– unit study
Homeschool Share– lapbook

Free July Unit Studies and Lessons for Holidays, Historical Events, and Fun Days

Canada Day (July 1st)

Canada Day is the national holiday of Canada. It’s the anniversary of when Canada became a country on July 1, 1867, when the British Parliament passed the British North America Act. Canadians celebrate with parades, barbecues, picnics, and fireworks.

Teachers Pay Teachers– reading comprehension worksheet
Homeschool Share– Canada lapbook

International Joke Day (July 1st)

International Joke Day is a great time to brighten someone’s day with a bit of humor.

Teachers Pay Teachers– crack the code joke worksheets
Teachers Pay Teachers– jokes with idioms printable
Teachers Pay Teacher– joke cards printable

National Postal Worker Day (July 1st)

National Postal Worker Day recognizes postal workers and their hard work to ensure our letters and packages are delivered on time.

Confessions of a Homeschooler– mail carrier unit study
DIY Homeschooler– postal service unit study

Build a Scarecrow Day (July 2nd)

National Build a Scarecrow Day is celebrated on the first Sunday in July. It’s the perfect time to make a scarecrow for your garden.

Hess Un-Academy– unit study
Front Porch Ideas– how to build a scarecrow
DLTK’s Kids– scarecrow crafts

Idaho’s Statehood (July 3rd)

Idaho became a state on July 3, 1890.

Ben and Me– unit study
Learn in Color– state report lapbook

Independence Day (July 4th)

Independence Day commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America on July 4, 1776. The Continental Congress declared that the 13 American colonies were no longer subject to Britain and were now united, free, and independent states.

Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers– unit study
DIY Homeschooler– lesson ideas

Video Game Day (July 8th)

National Video Game Day is a day to gather with friends or family and play video games together. There is a similar holiday called National Video Games Day on September 12th.

Year Round Homeschooling– unit study
Teachers Pay Teachers– favorite video game worksheet
Teacher’s Notepad– writing prompts

National Sugar Cookie Day (July 9th)

National Sugar Cookie Day honors the popular cookie variety. Bake a batch today to celebrate.

In Katrina’s Kitchen– sugar cookie recipe
Allrecipes– glaze icing recipe
Sally’s Baking– royal icing recipe

Barn Day (July 9th)

Barn Day is dedicated to appreciating the important farm structure. It’s observed on the second Sunday in July each year.

iHeart Crafty Things– coloring sheets
Art for Kids Hub– drawing activity

Wyoming’s Statehood (July 10th)

Wyoming became a state on July 10, 1890.

Ben and Me– unit study
Elemental Blogging– state study

E.B. White’s Birthday (July 11th)

Author E.B. White was born on July 11, 1899. Some of his most popular children’s books include Stuart Little, Charlotte’s Web, and The Trumpet of the Swan.

Homeschool Share– Stuart Little unit study
Woo! Jr. Kids Activities– Charlotte’s Web lesson plan
Rise to Reading– comprehension questions for The Trumpet of the Swan

Cow Appreciation Day (July 11th)

Cow Appreciation Day, created by Chick-fil-A, occurs annually on the second Tuesday of July. Chick-fil-A usually gives free food to customers who dress up as cows. This is part of their “Eat Mor Chikin” marketing campaign.

Our Sutton Place– easy cow costume ideas
Homeschool Share– cattle lapbook

National French Fry Day (July 13th)

National French Fry Day was created to celebrate the tasty food. Enjoy your favorite type of French fries today– regular, curly, steak-cut, crinkle, waffle, or wedges.

The Cozy Cook– recipe
Art Hub for Kids– drawing activity

National Macaroni and Cheese Day (July 14th)

National Macaroni and Cheese Day is a day dedicated to the yummy cheesy pasta dish. Enjoy mac and cheese today as a side or main dish.

Scholastic Science World– mac and cheese lesson plan
Family Consumer Sciences– comfort foods lesson and lab (includes mac and cheese)
Living Well Mom– mac and cheese recipe

National Moon Day (July 20th)

National Moon Day commemorates the day man first walked on the moon, on July 20, 1969.

Woo! Jr. Kids Activities– moon landing lesson plan
Learn Bright– moon lesson plan

International Chess Day (July 20th)

International Chess Day commemorates the day the International Chess Federation was founded, on July 20, 1924. Chess lovers worldwide gather to play and celebrate their favorite game on this day each year.

ChessKid– chess learning platform
At Home Middle School– daily chess lessons

National Amelia Earhart Day (July 24th)

National Amelia Earhart Day honors the achievements of the aviation pioneer on the date of her birth (July 24, 1897). Earhart was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean.

Peanut Butter Fish Lessons– unit study
In All You Do– unit study
Education.com– biography worksheet

New York’s Statehood (July 26th)

New York became a state on July 26, 1788.

Ben and Me– unit study
Learn in Color– state report lapbook

Beatrix Potter’s Birthday (July 28th)

Helen Beatrix Potter, born on July 28, 1866, was an English writer, illustrator, and natural scientist. She is best known for her children’s books featuring animals, including, The Tale of Peter Rabbit.

Project Gutenberg– ebooks of Beatrix Potter’s stories
Homeschool Share– Beatrix Potter unit study

National Lasagna Day (July 29th)

National Lasagna Day is a great time to bake a pan of the Italian pasta dish.

Family Consumer Sciences– lesson plan
Able2Learn– visual recipe and lesson
startcooking.com– recipe and tutorial

National Cheesecake Day (July 30th)

National Cheesecake Day gives us an excuse to enjoy a slice of the delicious dessert.

Life, Love and Sugar– cheesecake recipes
Teachers Pay Teachers– cheesecake brownies visual recipe
Teachers Pay Teachers– history of cheesecake reading comprehension worksheets

Have fun learning this July! I will add more free unit studies and lessons next year. Be sure to pin this post so you can find it next July.