🦄 National UNICORN Day 2026 – Apr 9

🌈 National UNICORN Day ORIGIN & HISTORY

Neither the founder nor the creative origin of this holiday has ever truly been established. We do know National UNICORN Day is celebrated on the 9th Day in April.

The fascination with unicorns dates back centuries, with mentions of the mythical creature found in ancient texts and folklore from various cultures worldwide. Unicorns are depicted as majestic horse-like creatures with a single horn protruding from their foreheads, symbolizing purity, grace, and enchantment. In fact, Scotland’s national animal is the unicorn, and it’s on their national coat of arms. The association comes as Scotland would rather die than be captured, much like the unicorn.

In modern times, unicorns have captured the popular imagination through literature, art, and media. People associate them with themes of magic, fantasy, and positivity, making them relatable to all ages.

Possible ORIGINS

Although the precise birth of National UNICORN Day is somewhat unclear, here’s what we’ve glittered … um gathered so far regarding its origin story & history.

It may have started as a mix of internet culture and marketing. Around the 2010s, unicorns made a strong comeback—showing up in glittery toys, memes, makeup, rainbow unicorn cakes, and social media trends. A dedicated day naturally followed. Not to mention, nearly every little girl LOVES unicorns!

The unicorn itself is much older. It appears in myths from ancient Mesopotamia, India, and Greece. In the Middle Ages, it became a symbol of virtue and class in European folklore. The modern look—a white horse with a spiral horn and rainbow colors is mostly a 20th-century invention shaped by cartoons and fantasy art.

REASONS Behind the Holiday

National UNICORN Day exists to celebrate imagination and wonder. Unicorns are symbols of magic and uniqueness. For kids, they’re fun. For adults, they’re nostalgic or just a way to break from the usual. The day doesn’t have a deep meaning – just a focus on lightness and creativity.

GOALS of National UNICORN Day

1. Encourage imagination and creativity – Unicorns are tied to fantasy and magic. The day invites people to use their imagination through crafts, costumes, writing, or art.
2. Celebrate a well-loved mythical creature – It’s a way to keep the unicorn alive in culture, from ancient myths to pop icons.
3. Keepin’ it light & airy – It’s not deep or heavy. The point is to bring some color, fun, and humor into the day.
4. Whimsical excuse to celebrate – Like many niche holidays, it gives people – kids, adults, families, or classrooms – a reason to do something themed, just for the fun of it.

✨ HOW to Celebrate & Observe National UNICORN Day?

Not sure how to LOVE the day? We’ve got a few interesting ideas to consider that may help get you started.

Here are some activities that you can do on National UNICORN Day!

💙 Wear Unicorn COLORS

Dress in soft pastels or go all out with rainbow gear. Add glitter if you’re feeling bold. Roll up some paper, tape it into a cone, and strap it on with string or a headband. Instant unicorn.

💙 Read a Unicorn STORY

Pick a unicorn-themed book and read aloud – great for kids or even just as a break in your day.

💙 Make a Unicorn SNACK

Top cupcakes with swirls of pastel frosting and edible glitter. Mix cereal, marshmallows, and sprinkles into a snack mix. Even use fruit to build a rainbow plate.

💙 HIDE a Unicorn

In the same spirit as the cruise ship tradition of hiding rubber ducks for others to find. If you’re in a group setting (home, classroom, office), hide a small unicorn toy and let people find a little magic in such a regular place.

💙 Watch a Unicorn MOVIE

Set aside time to watch something unicorn-related. It’s an easy way to relax and still mark the day. The tone can be light or emotional, depending on what you pick. Here are a few solid options:

• The Last Unicorn (1982) – A cult classic animated film based on the novel by Peter S Beagle. It’s bittersweet and poetic, with deeper themes about identity and wonder. Older kids and adults will get the most out of it.
• My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic – Unicorns are front and center here. It’s full of friendship lessons, magic, and colorful landscapes. Great for younger viewers, but adults will find plenty of humor and heart too.
• Onward (2020) – While unicorns aren’t the focus, the film includes wild, garbage-eating unicorns and explores a fantasy world with a modern twist.
• Legend (1985) – A darker fantasy with unicorns playing a key role in the balance of light and darkness. It’s more serious in tone and best for fantasy fans.
• Barbie: A Fairy Secret / Barbie and the Magic of Pegasus – These have magical unicorn or pegasus characters aimed at younger kids but filled with bright visuals and magical themes.

💙 FAMILY & CLASSROOM Activities

Celebrating National UNICORN 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. Let the fun and laughter sparkle in this special section!

It’s also a great opportunity for teachers to build a simple thematic unit around unicorns—blending creative writing, mythology, biology (real vs imaginary creatures), visual arts, and social-emotional learning. Whether it’s a one-day focus or a week-long project, this theme gives educators a fun way to connect classroom lessons with wonder, imagination, and a little bit of magic.

Here are some child-friendly and playful ways for children to celebrate the occasion and honor these enchanting mythical beasts:

• Dress Like a Unicorn – Let kids wear rainbow colors, glitter, or a paper horn (see below).
• Make a Unicorn Horn – Roll paper into a cone and tie it on with string, or use a headband.
• Eat Unicorn Snacks – Try cupcakes, rainbow fruit skewers, or toast with colored cream cheese.
• Read a Unicorn Book – Pick a story like Uni the Unicorn or Thelma the Unicorn.
• Color or Draw Unicorns – Print coloring pages or let them draw their own.
• Unicorn Hunt – Hide small unicorn toys or images for the kids to find.
• Make Unicorn Slime – Mix glue, glitter, and contact solution for sparkly slime.
• Watch a Unicorn Show – Play an episode of My Little Pony or a unicorn-themed cartoon.
• Unicorn Dance Party – Play music and let them move around like unicorns.
• Decorate a Unicorn Cutout – Use paper, yarn, and markers to create unique unicorns.

💙 RAISE Social Awareness

Use social media posts with the hashtags #NationalUnicornDay, #UnicornDay, #Unicorns, #UnicornMagic, #FantasticBeasts, #AnimalHolidays, #AprilHolidays, #Holiday, #FindADayToLOVE, #iHEARTdays to support the importance of celebrating, promoting, and sharing with the world why you ❤️ National UNICORN Day.

LEARN more about the beliefs & myths of UNICORNS

UNICORN MYTHS & BELIEFS AROUND THE WORLD