10 Can't-Miss June Highlights Worth Celebrating

June: The school year is in the rearview mirror, summer officially kicks in, and, if you can believe it, the month that marks the halfway point of the year. How is 2024 already half over?

Want more? Check our FREE Macaroni KID events calendar for all your June family fun!

We've put together a list of 10 events and holidays in June. All we can say? Get ready for a great month ahead!

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National Ocean Month | June 1-30

The ocean covers more than 70 percent of the Earth's surface and is where life began 3.5 billion years ago ... and yet about 95 percent of the ocean remains unexplored! Celebrate National Ocean Month by learning more about the world's amazing bodies of water — from the Atlantic to the Pacific and the Great Lakes in between!

But there's nothing like actually going to an ocean, lake, or creek to really appreciate them ... so get out there and explore!

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National Cheese Day | June 4

What's better than donuts? Cheese! Serve the kids grilled cheese tonight — better yet, teach them to make their own! This sandwich isn't just for kids, either. Check out our 3 delicious twists on the classic sandwich.

^{Mihai Constantin from Pexels}

National Donut Day | June 7

Do-nut let this day go by without a celebration. Get one ... or a dozen! Here are a few deals nearby:

Divine Donuts - Free donut and coffee tasting with any purchase over $10
Dogtopia - Treat your furry best friend to a dog friendly donut served at lunch; donuts are just $3
Duck Donuts - Free Cinnamon Sugar donut; no purchase necessary
Dunkin - Get a free donut with any beverage purchase on June 7.
Krispy Kreme - Get any donut for free on June 7; no purchase necessary

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Flag Day | June 14

Everyone knows the story of Betsy Ross, but have you heard the story of Bob Heft? In 1958, shortly after Alaska gained statehood, the 17-year-old from Ohio took apart his family's 48-star flag and added two more in a symmetrical pattern for a class project. He explained to his teacher he believed Hawaii would soon gain statehood status as well.

He sent the flag to his congressman, who, in turn, presented it to then-President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Eisenhower selected Heft's design for the 50-star flag after Hawaii became a state, and on July 4, 1960, Eisenhower and Heft raised the 50-star flag together for the first time.

The best part of the story? Heft’s teacher, initially unimpressed with his project, had given him a B-. The teacher later changed his grade to an A.

DIY project: Make your own Flag Day pin!

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Father's Day | June 16

Celebrate all the men in your life who have taken on the role of dad.

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**Eat Your Vegetables Day | June 17**

Well, we've celebrated donuts and cheese this month. Guess we should also include a few veggies in the mix! Want to get your kids excited about vegetables? Plant a garden together. No room? You can also plant many veggies in pots! Here are 10 benefits of gardening with kids.

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International Picnic Day | June 18

Everyone loves a picnic! You can head to your favorite park for an elaborate grill out or simply throw a blanket down in your backyard and serve PB&Js. The joy of a picnic is in spending time together enjoying the outdoors. That amazing potato salad? Well, that's just a bonus.

Sesame Street celebrates Juneteenth!

Juneteenth | June 19

Juneteenth marks the date Texas slaves were told in 1865 that they were free — two and a half years after Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. Today, Juneteenth emphasizes African American education and achievement and is a time marked with everything from family reunions to rodeos. It is now recognized as a federal holiday in the United States.