Coastin Carl
👞 National TWO DIFFERENT COLORED SHOES Day ORIGIN & HISTORY
National TWO DIFFERENT COLORED SHOES Day is celebrated on the 3rd Day in May. This day was created by Dr Arlene Kaiser in 2009 to encourage ya’ll to embrace your uniqueness and express yourself boldly, starting from the ground up.
Mix, Match, and March! To participate, wear two shoes of different colors and confidently step out. If mismatched shoes aren’t an option for ya, still join in by wearing colorful socks or accessories that express your unique style. It’s all about embracing what makes you … you.
BIRTH of the Day
Dr Kaiser is an educator, motivational speaker, and founder of the Dr Arlene Kaiser Foundation, which focuses on promoting respect, individuality, and self-esteem. She first wore mismatched shoes herself as a personal reminder (and public signal) that being different is something to celebrate.
REASONS Behind the Holiday
The day exists to encourage self-expression, individuality, and confidence. It’s a playful way to say, “It’s okay to be different”. It also opens the door to deeper conversations about not excluding anyone, respect, and seeing value in things (and people) that don’t match the norm.
GOALS of National TWO DIFFERENT COLORED SHOES Day
- Promote self-expression
- Encourage confidence & courage in being different
- Start a dialog about individuality & diversity
- Make people smile and rethink their assumptions about “normal”
- Bring joy and playfulness to everyday life
Significance in PRESENT Day
The holiday has grown in visibility, especially in schools, where teachers use it as a chance to blend fun with meaningful learning. It’s used in lessons on diversity, social-emotional learning, and creativity. It also offers a way for people who feel “different” to be recognized and affirmed in a light, joyful way. In Dr Kaiser’s case, it started with her own choice to visibly stand out in a small way. Over time, it became a personal symbol, then a broader movement for self-acceptance.
🧦 HOW to Celebrate & Observe National TWO DIFFERENT COLORED SHOES Day?
Not sure how to LOVE the day? We’ve got a few interesting ideas to consider that may help you get started.
Here are some activities you can do on National TWO DIFFERENT COLORED SHOES Day!
💙 STEP Lively & Boldly
Wear two completely different shoes and don’t match them on purpose. Make it loud, weird, or meaningful. It’s a statement after all!
💙 SPARK Conversations
Let your shoes be a discussion starter. Ask others what makes them stand out. Share something about your style too and post a photo of your shoes; tell a short story about what makes you different – or why you embrace it.
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💙 CREATE Something New
If you’re handy with paint, markers, or patches, then decorate or customize two shoes that don’t match to begin with. Turn an old pair into your personal art.
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💙 DONATE Shoes
Give new or gently used shoes to a local shelter or charity. Mismatched for fun – but everyone deserves a matching pair in life.
💙 FAMILY & CLASSROOM Activities
Celebrating National TWO DIFFERENT COLORED SHOES Day can be a delightful and creative experience. Remember to tailor these activities based on the age group and preferences of the children or students involved. Lace up so the fun and laughter can step out in this special section!
It’s also a great opportunity for teachers to build a simple thematic unit around self-expression or individuality—blending writing, visual arts, music, social-emotional learning, social studies, and classroom discussion into one. Whether it’s a one-day spotlight or part of a larger project, this day gives educators a fun way to connect classroom learning with personal identity, voice, and how students see themselves and others.
Here are some child-friendly and playful ways for youngsters to celebrate the occasion and honor their HEEL-arious mismatched feet:
- Wear mismatched shoes – Pick two different shoes from your closet. The sillier, the better. It’s your time to stand out.
- Show your friends – Get your classmates or siblings to join in. Take a group photo with all your wild shoes.
- Make a craft – Draw or color your dream pair of mismatched shoes. Use markers, glitter, or stickers.
- Tell a story – Write or share a story about a character with two different shoes. What makes them special?
- Learn about differences – Talk about how being different is a good thing. Everyone has something that makes them unique.
- Host a parade – Have a mismatched shoe walk at school or at home. Play music and show off your steps.
- Name your shoes – Give each shoe a name and a personality. One could be “Captain Cozy” or “Sir Sneaky.” Let them talk!
💙 RAISE Social Awareness
Use social media posts by snapping a pic of your feet and tag it with the hashtags #NationalTwoDifferentColoredShoesDay, #TwoDifferentColoredShoesDay, #CelebrateUniqueness, #StepOutInStyle, #MismatchDay, #WalkYourWay, #FunHolidays, #MayHolidays, #Holiday, #FindADayToLOVE, #iHEARTdays to support the importance of celebrating, promoting, and sharing with the world why you ❤️ National TWO DIFFERENT COLORED SHOES Day.
