National Superhero Day
Instead of Superman and Batman, this day is to honor our real-life superheroes: those people who help others, from firemen to nurses to soup kitchen volunteers.
Honor and celebrate everyday heroes—first responders, healthcare workers, teachers—through community gratitude campaigns and workplace recognition events.
- Share employee spotlights: 'Meet the Superheroes in Our Community'
- Thank-you card drive or gift campaign for local fire/police/hospital staff
- Costume day at work celebrating real-life heroes and their impact
- Partner with children's hospitals to bring joy and recognize healthcare workers
National Superhero Day first got its start in 1995, when Marvel Comics employees went out into the world to ask kids what superpowers they would want to have if it were possible. The results surprisingly revealed that these kids ended up talking more about superheroes in their own lives, and how they often looked like a normal person.
National Superhero Day reminds everyone that, most of the time, superheroes are just everyday people who rise to the occasion of helping when threats happen. Not only that, but this is an ideal that can be passed on and practiced in our daily lives.
Every day, men and women go out in the world and face difficulties in their lives and livelihood to help protect others from the dangers of fire, crime, and unexpected health issues. But the list of superheroes in real life doesn’t even end there!
Someone helping the homeless with food or clothes, comforting a crying stranger, or stopping to help someone with a flat tire on the side of the road can all be considered superheroes.
Celebrate Superheros at Work or at School
Create an event for National Superhero Day that can acknowledge and honor the everyday superheroes in life. Have everyone wear their favorite superhero costume to work or to school and let them explain why this particular hero is their favorite. Be sure to honor and acknowledge special heroes from among the group.
Be Sure to Thank Superheroes
Whether organized with a local group such a scout troop, school, youth group or book club, or simply a gathering of concerned citizens, saying ‘thank you’ to local heroes is a great activity for National Superhero Day. Get together to make thank you cards, posters, or even little gifts (such as cookies or other treats) and arrange to take them to a local fire station, police station, teachers’ lounge or hospital. These small gestures of thanks can mean a whole lot to those people who are making helpful contributions to society each day.
Support a Local Children’s Hospital
Past celebrations of National Superhero Day have included volunteers who go to children’s hospitals dressed up as various superheroes from comics and films, such as Superman, Wonder Woman, Spider-Man or other fictional characters. In doing so, it brings joy to the children and also gives a sense of appreciation to the people (doctors, nurses, and other staff) who work or volunteer at the children’s hospitals as they give so much to help children who need them.
Get Creative with National Superhero Day
For a fun time with kids (or adults!) try applying the theme of superheroes to crafts, baking or other activities. Make cupcakes or cookies and decorate them with superhero-themed colors or designs. Try making superhero masks for family members. Grab some Marvel Comics or DC Comics books, read them together as a family or, even better, start writing and/or illustrating a new comic book together! Any type of superhero activity can be loads of fun and a great reminder that everyone can be a hero.
Be an Everyday Superhero
A perfect way to celebrate National Superhero Day is to get in touch with your own inner superhero. Keep your eyes open for those who are in need of help and instead of thinking “someone should do something”, step up and be that someone. From sharing lunch with someone who forgot theirs to helping a stranded person change a tire on the side of the road, countless ways exist that people can all be superheroes in everyday life!