Harmony Week activities for toddlers to start them young

We’ve all heard the saying, "Kids don’t see colour."

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And while it is true that toddlers don’t instinctively categorise people by race or culture, they are VERY keen observers! Just ask any toddler’s parent – they’re bound to have at least one story about the time their little one made an alarmingly honest and majorly embarrassing observation out loud in public!

I’ve lived through a few myself, and I still haven’t recovered from the secondhand embarrassment that came with one particular incident.

This one time, my toddler noticed a woman’s thick arm hair and turned around to state, in a very matter-of-fact way, “Mama, look, she’s turning into a werewolf!”

Despite my attempts to change the subject, he continued to share his opinion in his loudest voice on her ‘transformation.’ (I died of embarrassment that day, but I plan on returning the favour when he’s well into his teens!)

So yes, these kids? Keen observers!

Monkey see, monkey do, monkey say it out loud!

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Research has demonstrated that preschoolers begin to recognise and internalise societal biases and can identify differences in race, gender, and other social categories. Studies also found that kids mirror societal attitudes and stereotypes in their behaviours and preferences.

The lesson? It’s crucial how adults guide these observations.

Studies like Margaret Beale Spencer’s 1973 study demonstrate that healthy conversations and targeted interventions can effectively address and reduce biases in young children. They highlight the importance of early childhood education in fostering inclusivity and support the idea that celebrating diversity can nip racism in the bud! 

So, what’s the best way to counter observations about hair colour, hair coverings, or even excessive arm hair?

Yep, Harmony Week!

You start young, keep it fun, and make inclusion second nature.

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Harmony Week celebrations

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Harmony Week, celebrated in Australia, is a perfect opportunity to reinforce the idea that everyone belongs. It is designed to coincide with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, and this year, Australia will celebrate it from Monday, 17 to Sunday, 23 March 2025!

So grab your favourite orange outfit and get ready to celebrate Harmony Week with your kids.

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Explaining cultural diversity and harmony week to your kids

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Introducing toddlers and young kids to cultural diversity is crucial – mostly because they’ll eventually enter preschool, where they’ll encounter students who come from different parts of the world.

But instead of waiting for them to ask why their friend’s hair is different or making fun of someone’s lunch because it looks “weird,” it’s important we acknowledge and celebrate our differences.

The plan is to start early with fun, simple conversations about how ‘different is good,’ how we’re all unique in our way and most importantly, that everyone belongs!

Community celebrations, cultural traditions and… a bowl of rice?

Toddlers are curious, but big concepts like community, diversity and inclusion can be a bit tricky for them. So, why not break it down in the simplest way possible?

Enter: a humble bowl of rice.

Use the bowl as a visual lesson. Some people eat rice with chopsticks, others with a fork or a spoon, while in some cultures, people prefer to eat using their hands.

The goal is the same – getting that delicious rice into their bellies – and while the methods may differ, they’re all pretty cool!

Let your little one try eating rice in different ways, turning it into a fun, hands-on experience. This can lead to more meaningful conversations about different languages, family traditions, customs, music and culture of the country their parents are from.

Harmony Week activities for toddlers

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While students might not yet grasp complex cultural discussions, adding these fun, hands-on Harmony Day activities to your child’s playtime can help them understand and respect different cultures from around the world.

Try some of our ideas or use the diverse materials, lesson plans and resources available on Harmony Week’s official website to plan your activities and play games in your classroom.

1. Dress in cultural colours or traditional clothing

Make the day extra special by dressing in orange, the official colour of Harmony Week, or in traditional clothing that represents your family’s heritage.

Whether it’s a sari, kimono, tiny kurta, or a special embroidered dress, let your toddler twirl and show off their roots with pride.

2. Create a ‘family heritage’ art project

Get out the paints and let your little one mix colours to match their skin tone for a self-portrait!

You can also help them decorate a poster with pictures, flags, and symbols from your family’s cultural background. It’s a great way to spark conversations about what makes every family unique.

3. Explore the world with a family map

Print out or display a world map and mark the places where your family comes from. You can add stickers, draw little hearts, or even connect the locations with string to show your toddler how cultures from around the world come together in your family.

You can also use the map to prompt discussions about different family and community celebrations across the world.

4. Learn and share greetings from different languages

Pick a few different ways to say “hello” and “thank you” from cultures in your family or community. Practice saying them together and use them throughout the day. Your toddler will love learning something new, and it’s a fun way to introduce language diversity.

5. Host a mini cultural feast

Food is a beautiful way to celebrate diversity! Cook a simple dish from your family’s background or explore new cuisines together. Let your toddler help with easy tasks like stirring or decorating plates. Talk about the different flavours, spices, and traditions that make each dish special.

6. Dance to global beats

Turn up the music and have a dance party with songs from different cultures! Try folk dances, traditional music, or even just clap and move to the rhythm of a new beat.

If you have friends or family from different backgrounds, ask them to share their favourite childhood songs.

Harmony Week books and stories for toddlers

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Books are a wonderful way to help young children understand different cultures and develop empathy. Here are our few favourite picks:

Mirror by Jeannie Baker

Whoever You Are by Mem Fox

My Two Blankets by Irena Kobald

The Colors of Us by Karen Katz

Easy-to-do Harmony Day snacks for toddlers

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Your toddler might not care about colours – unless, of course, you dare to give them water in the wrong coloured cup (which, as we all know, is an unforgivable offence). But when it comes to food? Suddenly, they want to taste every bright and colourful snack in sight.

So, why not use this love of colourful foods to introduce them to the beauty of diversity?

Try a ‘taste the world’ snack plate

Let your little one explore new flavours by offering small bites of treats from different cultures. You could try:

• Mochi (Japan) – Soft, chewy rice cakes in fun pastel colours.
• Coconut macaroons (France/Italy) – A sweet, bite-sized treat.
• Mango sticky rice (Thailand) – Creamy coconut rice with fresh mango.

Make it even more fun with a mini blind taste test and let your toddler guess the flavours.

Whip up a Persian orange cake

For a Harmony Day-themed bake, try making a simple Persian orange cake – a moist, naturally sweet cake that celebrates both the flavour and colour of Harmony Day. It’s fragrant, toddler-friendly, and a lovely way to introduce little ones to new tastes.

Bright and easy orange snack platter

For a quick and healthy option, serve up a colourful snack board featuring:

• Carrot sticks
• Orange slices
• Rockmelon cubes

And if you’re feeling a little indulgent, throw in some (slightly less nutritious) orange treats like Cheezels or Twisties – because balance, right?

No matter what you choose, snack time is the perfect way to celebrate different cultures and cuisines in a way your toddler will love – one bite at a time.

Wrapping it up: Small acts, big impact

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Remember, early childhood lessons on cultural diversity and Harmony Week aren’t about giving toddlers a history or geography lesson – they’re about teaching children to respect others. The objective is to plant seeds of kindness, harmony, and openness.

Simple things like greeting a neighbour in their native language and appreciating a traditional song or music add up to shaping a child who appreciates differences rather than fearing them.

Let’s make sure our tiny humans grow up with big hearts – because the world is a much better place when we celebrate all of it.