Special Days Resources

Looking for meaningful NAIDOC Week classroom activities for primary students? This collection of printable NAIDOC Week activities, literacy lessons, writing prompts, classroom displays, craft templates and teaching resources helps busy teachers create respectful, engaging and low-prep learning experiences during NAIDOC Week 2026.

Perfect for Foundation, Early Years and Primary classrooms, these NAIDOC Week teaching ideas support literacy learning, storytelling, vocabulary development, classroom discussions, art activities and collaborative whole-class learning while exploring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and perspectives.

NAIDOC Week 2026 runs from 5–12 July and the official theme is “50 Years of Deadly.”

What is Included in this NAIDOC Week Collection?

This NAIDOC Week classroom activities collection includes a full week of printable NAIDOC activities and literacy-focused teaching resources designed to support meaningful classroom learning throughout NAIDOC Week.

Resources included in this collection:

• full NAIDOC Week unit plan
• teacher information booklet
• teaching PowerPoint
• classroom posters and information displays
• parent information poster
• acknowledgement of Country resources
• A–Z vocabulary word wall cards
• flash cards and prompt cards
• KWHL charts and graphic organisers
• acrostic poem templates
• writing pages and literacy activities
• flip books and reflection activities
• bookmarks and colouring pages
• story stones and storytelling activities
• traditional symbols playdough mats
• classroom craft activities
• agamographs
• paper chain crafts
• display templates and classroom decorations
• word searches and vocabulary tasks

These printable NAIDOC Week activities help teachers create engaging literacy-rich learning experiences while supporting respectful exploration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives and cultures.

Perfect For

These NAIDOC Week teaching resources are perfect for:

• NAIDOC Week literacy rotations
• whole-class writing lessons
• Foundation and Primary classrooms
• low-prep NAIDOC Week activities
• classroom displays and bulletin boards
• relief teacher plans
• early finisher activities
• vocabulary and oral language lessons
• whole-school NAIDOC celebrations
• culturally responsive classroom learning

NAIDOC Week Classroom Activities

NAIDOC Week Writing Activities

Support literacy learning and classroom discussions through:

• acrostic poems
• information writing
• response writing
• vocabulary activities
• flip books
• writing prompts
• reflective classroom discussions
• graphic organisers and planning templates

These literacy-based NAIDOC Week activities help students build vocabulary, deepen understanding and respond thoughtfully to classroom learning experiences.

NAIDOC Week Art Activities

Explore Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, storytelling traditions, symbols and connections to Country through engaging classroom art activities and collaborative display work.

Students can respond through:

• colouring activities
• agamographs
• collaborative classroom displays
• storytelling artwork
• pattern exploration
• craft templates
• visual response activities

You can also explore our Aboriginal art display packs and classroom display resources to create meaningful NAIDOC classroom displays and learning spaces throughout your school.

NAIDOC Week Vocabulary Activities

Build understanding of important NAIDOC and cultural vocabulary through:

• A–Z word walls
• flash cards
• vocabulary organisers
• prompt cards
• oral language activities
• discussion tasks
• word searches

These activities help students become familiar with important concepts, language and ideas connected to NAIDOC Week and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives.

Whole Class NAIDOC Activities

Teachers can support whole-class learning through:

• shared reading and storytelling
• classroom discussions
• acknowledgement of Country learning
• collaborative displays
• PowerPoint lessons
• discussion prompts
• reflection activities
• storytelling activities
• cultural understanding tasks

These classroom activities encourage respectful conversations and meaningful engagement with Indigenous perspectives throughout NAIDOC Week.

What is NAIDOC Week?

NAIDOC Week stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee Week. Celebrated across Australia each year, it recognises and celebrates the histories, cultures, achievements and continuing contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

For schools, NAIDOC Week provides an important opportunity for students to learn about First Nations cultures, perspectives, histories and communities through respectful and meaningful classroom learning experiences.

Explaining the 2026 NAIDOC Week Theme: 50 Years of Deadly

The 2026 NAIDOC Week theme, “50 Years of Deadly,” celebrates 50 years of NAIDOC Week as a powerful movement recognising the achievements, resilience, leadership and continuing cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The theme acknowledges the generations of Elders, activists, community leaders and First Nations peoples who have helped shape NAIDOC Week into an important platform for celebration, truth-telling, advocacy and cultural pride.

It encourages schools and communities to reflect on the history and significance of NAIDOC Week while celebrating the strength, leadership and cultural continuity that continue to shape Australia today.

Teaching NAIDOC Week Respectfully

When planning NAIDOC Week classroom activities, it is important to ensure learning experiences are respectful, authentic and culturally responsive.

Teachers should:

• include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices and perspectives where possible
• recognise that Indigenous cultures are diverse across Australia
• use authentic texts and resources created by Indigenous authors, artists and educators
• avoid stereotypes or tokenistic activities
• focus on living cultures and continuing connections to Country, community and identity

Meaningful NAIDOC Week learning helps students develop understanding, empathy, curiosity and respect while recognising the important contributions of First Nations peoples across Australia.

How to Celebrate NAIDOC Week in the Classroom

Here are some ideas on how to celebrate NAIDOC Week with your students:

1. Cultural Workshops: Invite local Indigenous elders or community members to share stories, art, and cultural practices.
2. Art Projects: Create artwork inspired by traditional Indigenous techniques and symbols.
3. Music and Dance: Explore Indigenous music and dance. Teach students some traditional dances or songs.
4. Storytelling Sessions: Read books by Indigenous authors and discuss their themes and messages.
5. Language Learning: Introduce students to basic words and phrases in local Indigenous languages.
6. Nature Walks: Learn about bush tucker and Indigenous plant use on a guided nature walk.
7. Craft Activities: Make traditional crafts like weaving or dot painting.
8. Class Discussions: Discuss the significance of NAIDOC Week and what it means to different people.
9. Movies and Documentaries: Watch films and documentaries about Indigenous history and culture.
10. NAIDOC Events: Attend local NAIDOC Week events or participate in virtual events.

Picture Books for NAIDOC Week

Sharing authentic picture books written by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander authors and illustrators is a powerful way to introduce students to Indigenous perspectives, storytelling and culture.

1. “Welcome to Country” by Aunty Joy Murphy and Lisa Kennedy
2. “Stolen Girl” by Trina Saffioti and Norma MacDonald
3. “Young Dark Emu: A Truer History” by Bruce Pascoe
4. “My Place” by Sally Morgan
5. “Somebody’s Land” by Adam Goodes, Ellie Laing, and David Hardy

These books support reading comprehension, vocabulary development, discussion and reflective writing activities during NAIDOC Week.

NAIDOC Facts for Kids

Here are some interesting facts about NAIDOC Week that you can share with your students:

1. NAIDOC Week originally began as a day of mourning in 1938 but has since evolved into a week-long celebration.
2. Each year, NAIDOC Week has a different theme that reflects important issues and celebrates significant aspects of Indigenous culture.
3. The NAIDOC Week poster competition is a highlight, showcasing incredible artwork from Indigenous artists.
4. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are the oldest continuous cultures on Earth.
5. There are over 250 distinct Indigenous languages in Australia, with around 120 still spoken today.
6. The Torres Strait Islands are located between the tip of Cape York Peninsula and Papua New Guinea.
7. Indigenous Australians have a deep spiritual connection to the land, known as “Country,” which plays a central role in their cultural practices.
8. NAIDOC Week includes events such as marches, award ceremonies, and cultural performances.
9. The NAIDOC Awards recognise outstanding contributions by Indigenous Australians in various fields.

Understanding Cultural Appropriation

As we celebrate NAIDOC Week and explore Indigenous culture, it is essential to be mindful of cultural appropriation. Cultural appropriation occurs when elements of a minority culture are taken and used by a dominant culture without understanding, respect, or permission. In the classroom, this means being respectful and accurate when teaching about Indigenous traditions, art, and practices.

Always seek to involve Indigenous voices and perspectives, and avoid using sacred symbols or practices in a way that can be seen as disrespectful or trivialising. By being mindful of these issues, we can ensure that our celebrations are respectful and inclusive, honouring the true spirit of NAIDOC Week.

By celebrating NAIDOC Week in your classroom, you are helping to build a more inclusive and understanding future for all Australians. We hope these ideas and resources will inspire you to create meaningful and engaging lessons for your students. Happy NAIDOC Week!