Celebrate movement, music, and storytelling through dances from around the world.
National Dance Day celebrates the joy of movement and encourages people of all ages to get up and dance. Whether you're twirling like a ballerina, stomping through an Irish jig, or inventing your own silly dance in the living room, dancing is a wonderful way to express yourself.
The word ballet comes from an Italian word that simply means "to dance."
by Misty Copeland, illustrated by Christopher Myers
This beautifully illustrated picture book reminds readers that courage grows one small step at a time. Inspired by ballerina Misty Copeland’s own journey, it celebrates perseverance, confidence, and the joy of expressing yourself through dance. As you read, notice how the illustrations help tell the story just as much as the words.
Great dancers don’t simply perform steps… they help the audience feel something. Is your music joyful, mysterious, exciting, or peaceful? Are you dancing through a snowy forest, exploring an ancient castle, soaring with dragons, or celebrating a festival? Think about how your movements would change as your story unfolds.
Choose one dance that interests your family, discover the culture behind it, and then try learning a few beginner steps together.
Ideas include:
Finish by performing your new dance together… and don’t forget to applaud everyone’s effort!
Every adventure has another path to follow. Choose a trail and see where your curiosity leads!
Every culture has dances that celebrate holidays, tell stories, or bring communities together. Compare dances like hula, flamenco, Irish step dancing, and lion dance to see how movement reflects traditions around the world.
Wonder Challenge:
Which traditional dance would you most like to see performed in person?
Many famous ballets tell complete stories without spoken words. Discover classics like The Nutcracker and Swan Lake, and see how dancers use movement to bring characters and adventures to life.
Wonder Challenge:
How can dancers help an audience understand a story without saying a single word?
Listen to short excerpts from Brahms’ Hungarian Dance No. 5, Tchaikovsky’s Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, and Ponchielli’s Dance of the Hours. Notice how each piece creates a different feeling and inspires different kinds of movement.
Wonder Challenge:
Which piece makes you imagine the most interesting story, and what happens in it?
Would you rather...
Print & Plan
Keep todayβs book pick, writing prompt, family activity, and discussion ideas together in one colorful overview.
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