Creating Inclusive Events that Celebrate All Families and Cultures - post

Bringing families together for events isn’t just about fun—it’s a powerful way to build community, honor diversity, and reinforce that every family belongs, no matter its composition or #culture. Too often, child-care settings host events that inadvertently centre one cultural tradition or one kind of family setup, leaving others feeling on the outside. By intentionally designing inclusive events, you create rich, meaningful experiences where all children and families feel seen, respected, and welcomed.

In this article, we’ll explore how you can design, plan and host events in your #early-childhood setting (whether a #preschool, family child-care #home, or center) that celebrate culture, strengthen relationships, and promote genuine belonging.

---

Why Inclusive Events Matter

Events are more than just a picnic, open house or potluck. They are opportunities to:

• Highlight the diversity of families (single #parents, blended families, #grandparents as caregivers, LGBTQ+ parents, etc).

• Honor the #cultures represented in your program ( #languages spoken, traditions kept, holidays celebrated).

• Build connections between families who might otherwise stay in separate “hubs” or social groups.

• Demonstrate to children that diversity is valued and belonging is universal.

• Strengthen your program’s identity as a welcoming space, naturally increasing trust and #engagement with families.

When an event is inclusive, families feel invited rather than just tolerated. They feel their whole identity matters. Children see their home lives reflected, which fosters a strong sense of self-worth and connection.

---

Guiding Principles for an Inclusive Family & Culture Event

1. Plan with families, not just for them

• Invite representative family voices early: ask what kinds of events they’d like, what their traditions are, what may make it easier for them to attend (time, language, childcare, transportation).

• Use surveys or informal “listening” chats: What foods do you celebrate at home? What games or stories are part of your culture? What time works best for you?

• Co-create the agenda and set-up so it reflects real family inputs.

2. Mind language, accessibility and cultural cues

• Provide translated or bilingual materials and signage if multiple languages are in your community.

• Make sure the location is physically accessible for families with strollers or with accessibility needs.

• Recognize holidays/traditions from multiple cultures, not just predominating ones.

• Avoid event names or themes that implicitly assume one type of family (e.g., “Mommy & Me Tea” or “Dads’ Sports Afternoon” can exclude children from families without those exact roles).

  For example, a policy document points out that “Daddy/Daughter Dance” or “Mommy/Son Sports Day” could exclude some children and adults in families. 

3. Choose activities and setting that encourage participation by all

• Offer a mix of hands-on, multi- #sensory, and low-barrier activities ( #crafts, storytelling, music, food, photo-booth, #free #play).

• Make sure that families who prefer to observe or chat are comfortable too (not only high-energy games).

• Provide flexible scheduling or “drop-in” times to accommodate varied family routines.

• Offer child-care or supervised children’s activities to allow parents/caregivers to engage.

4. Highlight and honor cultural traditions

• Create a “culture share” or “family heritage” station where families bring a family tradition, a food item, a game or a story to share.

• Invite families to perform or display short traditions (song, dance, story) as optional.

• Use dis #plays, photographs or artefacts (with consent) demonstrating cultural diversity.

• Incorporate multicultural learning moments for children: e.g., reading folktales from families’ backgrounds, exploring greetings in different languages, games from other countries. For ideas, see the article ChildCareEd – Multicultural Games and Activities. 

5. Foster meaningful family-to-family connections

• Design the event so families sit/stand in mixed groups rather than “ #teachers + families only”.

• Use icebreaker questions or activities: “What’s a favorite family food?” “What word in your home language do you like best for ‘welcome’?”

• Create “family buddies” where a newer family is paired with a longer-term one to chat, share stories.

• Provide a community board or digital group where families can exchange contact/social-media info (only if they opt in).

6. Reflect, gather feedback and iterate

• At the end of the event (or shortly after), ask families what worked, what might change, what they’d like next time.

• Observe who participated, who seemed comfortable, who stayed on the margins.

• Adopt a continual improvement mindset: inclusive event = ongoing work, not one-and-done.

• Use questions like: Did any child or family feel left out? Did the timing or location hinder anyone? Did all cultures feel visible?

---

Sample Event Ideas That Celebrate All Families & Cultures

Here are some inclusive event formats you might host:

• Multicultural Family Potluck: Invite families to bring a dish that reflects their heritage or a family favourite. Provide cards where they write the name of the dish, what it means to their family, any dietary notes.

• Family Culture Night: Families bring artefacts, photos or stories from their culture. Provide open mic or stations for sharing. Include a “passport” for children to visit each culture station and collect stickers.

• Family Game & Story Evening: Set up zones: one for multilingual story-time, another for traditional games from different cultures, a craft station of family symbols.

• Family Heritage Walk or Parade: Create an informal “parade” where families carry flags, banners, or symbols of their heritage, and each shares something short about their family’s culture/tradition.

• Inclusive Family Carnival: Lots of free play, music, face-painting, photo booth with multicultural props, parent lounge with coffee and conversation. Ensure that games and stations are accessible to children of all abilities.

---

Practical Checklist for Hosting Inclusive Family Event

• Choose a date/time that works for most families (survey ahead).

• Provide invitation in families’ home languages if needed.

• Ensure location is wheelchair-/stroller-accessible.

• Organize a mix of stations/activities (crafts, food, games, conversation).

• Provide materials and signage in multiple languages if necessary.

• Include family voices in planning and as facilitators.

• Label any cultural/heritage items and provide context.

• Offer refreshments that consider dietary diversity (vegan, halal, gluten-free options).

• Set up child-care/mini-supervised play area (if families include younger siblings).

• Send a feedback form (digital or paper) after the event.

• Document (with permission) the event for future promotional/inclusion-work and share thanks and photos.

---

Why This Matters for Child-Care Providers

For you working in early childhood environments, inclusive family events align with best practice on multiple levels:

• They strengthen your home-school (or home-care) partner relationships, building trust.

• They foster children’s sense of identity and belonging, supporting social- emotional #development.

• They enable cultural (and family) competency: when #educators learn from families, they grow too.

• They position your program as one that values diversity and is intentional about inclusion, which can attract families and enhance your reputation.

• They support children’s learning about community, culture, respect, and connection from early years.

---

Next Steps & Professional Growth

If you’d like to deepen your skills in this area, here are some links:

• Training: Consider the 18-Hour Train the Trainer course at ChildCareEd

• Resource: The Developmental Milestones Checklist from ChildCareEd is a useful family-resource 

• Article: Celebrating Culture the Montessori Way from ChildCareEd shares ideas on #cultural-awareness

• Stay connected for ideas and updates: Instagram is a great way to follow