I thought I would share a fun fact about me from when I was in #Highschol with you. One of the classes I was in in Jr. High I played the drums. Now, before anyone gets too excited and asks me to sit down behind a drum set, let me tell you something. Trust me, you wouldn’t want to hear me play! LOL. I gave it a try, and that is what matters, right? Not everybody is meant to be a rock star, and some of us are probably better off leaving the drums to somebody else.
But just because I might not be the best drummer doesn’t mean I don’t love music. Around our house, music has always been something we enjoy, and when Charlie was homeschooling, we found ways to include music in our learning, too. #Homeschooling doesn’t have to mean sitting at a desk with a book in front of you all day. Sometimes you learn by listening to a song, discovering a new instrument, playing a game, or finding a different way to make learning fun.
That is why I thought it would be fun to celebrate National Hug a Drummer Day and Universal Music Day together. Both holidays give us a reason to appreciate music, the people who make it, and the memories we create along the way. As well as the performers and the style of music we enjoy.
National Hug a Drummer Day is celebrated on October 10.th and it is a fun occasion to recognize drummers and the important part they play in making music. We might notice the singer standing at the microphone or the guitarist playing a solo, but the drummer is often the person keeping everybody on beat.
Think about some of your favorite songs. The rhythm is part of what makes you want to tap your foot, clap your hands, or get up and dance around the living room. Drummers help give music its energy, and playing the drums takes practice, coordination, and patience.
If you have a drummer in your family or among your friends, today is a great opportunity to show them some appreciation. Give them a hug if they are comfortable with one, send them a message, or take a few minutes to listen to their favorite music. And if you happen to know somebody who is learning to play the drums, encourage them. We all have to start somewhere.
I certainly can’t tease somebody for learning an instrument when I was the one taking drumming lessons in high school! LOL. Although I might not be volunteering to perform anytime soon, I can certainly appreciate the people who have the talent and dedication to make music that the rest of us enjoy.
Now this takes us to Universal Music Day which is celebrated on the second Saturday in October. In 2026, that falls on October 10th, which means we have an extra reason to turn up our favorite songs and celebrate the wonderful world of music while dancing.
For my family music is one of those things that can bring people together even when they don’t speak the same language. You might not understand every word of a song, but you can still enjoy the melody, the rhythm, and the feelings it brings out in you. Some people love country music, while others prefer rock, pop, jazz, classical music, or gospel. Some people enjoy playing instruments, and others would rather sit back and listen. There is room for all of us because music comes in so many different forms.
For me, music is also connected to memories. Have you ever heard a song on the radio and suddenly found yourself thinking about somebody you haven’t seen in years? Maybe a song reminds you of high school, your first dance, a family gathering, or a special time in your life. Music has a way of taking us back to moments we might otherwise have forgotten.
Universal Music Day is a wonderful opportunity to explore something new. Listen to a type of music you don’t usually choose, learn about an instrument, or introduce your children to a song you enjoyed when you were growing up. You might even discover that you and your children have more musical favorites in common than you realized.
One of the things I enjoyed about homeschooling Charlie and Suzzane was finding different ways to make learning interesting. Music can be part of that experience without turning it into a complicated lesson or requiring a family to own a house full of instruments.
You can listen to a song together and talk about the sounds you hear. Can you identify the drums, guitar, piano, or other instruments? Does the music sound happy, peaceful, exciting, or a little mysterious? You can even compare two versions of a song and talk about how the musicians made them sound different.
Music can also lead to history lessons, geography, reading, and writing. Learning about a musician can introduce children to a different time period or culture. Reading a biography can help them understand how somebody developed a talent, overcame challenges, and worked toward a dream.
One book worth exploring is Kid Musicians by Robin Stevenson, illustrated by Allison Steinfeld. Published by Quirk Books, this illustrated book introduces readers ages 8–12 to the childhood stories of 16 musicians, including Dolly Parton, Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Paul McCartney, and Taylor Swift.
I like the idea of using a book like this to help children see that musicians were children once, too. They had families, interests, and experiences that helped shape who they became. Reading about their lives can give children a chance to discover new artists while enjoying a good book.
The best part about incorporating music into homeschooling is that you don’t have to be an expert. You can learn right alongside your children. Sometimes the best family learning experiences happen when everybody is curious enough to ask questions and explore the answers together.
Now, if we are going to celebrate music, why not have a little fun in the kitchen, too? You know I like finding simple ways to turn an ordinary day into something special, and music-themed snacks are a fun way to bring the whole family together and its something kids can help create.
If you have musical-note cookie cutters, you can make cookies shaped like music notes and decorate them with icing and sprinkles. Sugar-cookie dough works well for this kind of project, and children can help decorate their creations once the cookies have cooled. If you don’t have music-themed cutters, don’t worry. Use whatever fun shapes you already have in the kitchen.
You can also make musical sandwiches using cookie cutters designed for cutting soft foods. Start with your family’s favorite sandwich ingredients, press out the shapes, and arrange the sandwiches on a plate. Cheese sandwiches, peanut butter and jelly, or another family favorite can become part of your music celebration. Just remember to use age-appropriate kitchen tools and supervise little ones while preparing the food.
For even more fun, play music while you bake or make sandwiches. Let each family member choose a favorite song, and see whether everyone can guess which instruments they hear. You could even have a little dance party while the cookies are in the oven. It doesn’t have to be fancy, and you don’t have to spend a lot of money. The goal is to enjoy time together, make a few memories, and perhaps discover a new favorite song along the way.
I have also put together a simple music appreciation printable that families can use at home or during homeschooling. Children can write down their favorite song, name an instrument they would like to learn, and draw a musical instrument of their choice. They can also think about how music makes them feel and name somebody they would like to thank for sharing music with them. It is a simple activity, but it can open the door to conversations about family memories, favorite musicians, and the different ways music touches our lives.
You don’t have to turn every holiday into a big project. Sometimes a little reading, a few questions, and an opportunity to be creative are more than enough. For National Hug a Drummer Day and Universal Music Day, I hope you will take a little time to appreciate the music that is part of your life. Listen to a favorite song, discover a new artist, read a book about a musician, or introduce your children to an instrument they have never heard before.
And if somebody in your family is learning to play an instrument, give them a little encouragement. They might become a professional musician someday, or they might simply discover a hobby that brings them happiness. Either way, trying something new is worth celebrating.
As for me, I think I’ll leave the drumming to the people who know what they’re doing. I had my turn in high school, and I have already warned you about the results! LOL. But I will happily keep enjoying music and finding ways to share it with my family. Music can help us learn, bring back memories, lift our spirits, and give us another reason to spend time together.
Now I want to hear from you! Did you ever take music lessons? Do you play an instrument, have a favorite drummer, or have a song that always reminds you of somebody special? Maybe you used music as part of your homeschooling, too. Share your stories with us because I would love to hear them. Here at GreatfulMoments.com, we believe that life is made up of little moments worth celebrating. Sometimes those moments come with a favorite song playing in the background.
LET’S CELEBRATE MUSIC!
& Universal Music Day
Celebrate your favorite songs, discover instruments, and make musical memories together!
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Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed.
GreatfulMoments.com
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
