Free July Unit Studies and Lessons

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 2026. Because the dates of some holidays vary, I will update this post each year. Holidays with dates that change from year to year are indicated by an asterisk (*).

If you are looking for other months, check out our monthly unit studies and lesson plans page. There, you will find resources for every month of the year.  

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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.

• Food Hero– recipes and activities
• 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 hot dogs 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.

• Discover the Forest– outdoor activity ideas
• Adventures of a 4th Grade Classroom– National Park Service reading comprehension worksheets

Summer Break (varies)

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

• Freedom Homeschooling– ways to prevent summer slide
• All About Learning Press– summer-themed reading activities

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

Shark Week (July 6th to 13th)*

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.

• Homeschool.com– unit study and workbook
• Year Round Homeschooling– unit study
• Peanut Butter Fish Lessons– 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 Canada’s founding 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

Idaho’s Statehood (July 3rd)

Idaho became a state on July 3, 1890.

• From ABCs to ACTs– unit study
• Ben and Me– unit study

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
• GetWorksheets.com– worksheets
• Music in Our Homeschool– music lesson plan
• DIY Homeschooler– lesson ideas
• NotebookingPages.com– notebooking pages

Build a Scarecrow Day (July 5th)*

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

Video Game Day (July 8th)

National Video Game Day is a day to gather with friends or family to play video games. There is a similar holiday, National Video Games Day, in September.

• 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

Wyoming’s Statehood (July 10th)

Wyoming became a state on July 10, 1890.

• From ABCs to ACTs– unit study
• Ben and Me– unit study

National French Fry Day (July 10th)*

National French Fry Day was created to celebrate this tasty food. Each year, it is observed on the 2nd Friday of July. 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

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
• GetWorksheets.com– worksheets for Charlotte’s Web
• Woo! Jr. Kids Activities– Charlotte’s Web lesson plan
• Rise to Reading– comprehension questions for The Trumpet of the Swan

Barn Day (July 12th)*

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

National Macaroni and Cheese Day (July 14th)

National Macaroni and Cheese Day is 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
• Music in Our Homeschool– music lesson plan

International Chess Day (July 20th)

International Chess Day commemorates the founding of the International Chess Federation 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.

• From ABCs to ACTs– unit study
• Ben and Me– unit study

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

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. When you’re ready to start planning for next month, check out our August Unit Studies and Lessons.

 

Note: This post was originally published on May 15, 2022, and has been updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.