As educators, we have the opportunity—and the responsibility—to help students engage with the important truths of Canada’s history through meaningful classroom experiences. An Orange Shirt Day activity is a powerful way to honour Indigenous children who were taken from their families and to reflect on the lasting impacts of residential schools, while also promoting empathy, inclusion, and reconciliation in our classrooms.
But how can we teach these difficult truths in age-appropriate, thoughtful ways?
I’ve created three meaningful and engaging Orange Shirt Day activity options—each one designed to help students connect with the message that Every Child Matters. Whether you’re building classroom community or encouraging personal reflection, there’s an Orange Shirt Day activity here to support your teaching goals.
Let’s explore each one and how it can support your students leading up to Orange Shirt Day and Truth and Reconciliation Week.
🧡 1. Every Child Matters – Orange Shirt Day Kindness Craft
This interactive craft helps students recognize the power of their words and actions in building a kind, caring community. Students create an orange shirt “pocket” out of two shirt cut-outs. Throughout the week, students write kind affirmations about their classmates on feather cut-outs and place them into each other’s pockets.
This Orange Shirt Day activity is a simple yet powerful way to show that every child is seen, valued, and loved. The activity ends with a class celebration and a beautiful “Wall of Kindness” display—a visual reminder of empathy in action.
Why students will love it:
It’s interactive, uplifting, and encourages peer connection. They’ll be excited to read the kind messages tucked into their pockets!
✍️ 2. Orange Shirt Day Writing Craft + Affirmation Station
This Orange Shirt Day writing craft focuses on identity, belonging, and self-worth. Students create an orange shirt with layered writing pages underneath. Each page features a writing prompt or reflection question connected to the themes of Orange Shirt Day.
At the Affirmation Station, students visit a dedicated space in the classroom where they select positive “I am…” words like brave, kind, strong, and enough, printed on feathers or hearts. This station becomes a daily or ongoing practice where students can reflect on their self-worth and take ownership of affirming their identity
Why this activity matters:
It helps students internalize the message that they matter. As they write and reflect, they also build a positive self-image rooted in respect and kindness.
📖 3. Orange Shirt Day Week – Daily Writing Booklet
This Orange Shirt Day daily writing booklet craft is perfect for classrooms preparing for Orange Shirt Day. Each day, students complete one writing page in a 6-page orange shirt booklet, responding to prompts like:
“Why do we wear orange shirts?”
“How can I show kindness to others?”
“If I could say one thing to the children who attended residential schools it would be…”
Like all of these resources, this Orange Shirt Day writing activity is available in both English and French, making it accessible for bilingual classrooms and core French programs.
Why teachers love it:
It offers structure throughout the week, promotes daily reflection, and encourages meaningful discussion. By the end of the week, students have created a personal keepsake that reflects what they’ve learned.
💬 Why These Orange Shirt Day Activities Belong in Your Classroom
These Orange Shirt Day resources are designed to be thoughtful, age-appropriate, and impactful. Whether your students are just beginning to explore empathy or are ready to reflect on deeper truths, these crafts offer hands-on ways to honour Indigenous voices and create a culture of care in your classroom.
Each activity:
✔️ Supports Truth and Reconciliation through student voice
✔️ Builds empathy and belonging
✔️ Encourages self-expression and peer connection
✔️ Comes with clear templates and French + English options where needed
Let’s make Orange Shirt Day more than just a single event—it can be a week of learning, kindness, and connection that your students carry with them all year long.
🧡 Orange Shirt Day Kindness Craft
🧡 Orange Shirt Day Craft + Affirmation Station
🧡 Orange Shirt Week Daily Writing Craft
Oh — and if you’re looking for an orange shirt made by someone who is Indigenous, I design my own each year! It’s a meaningful way to honour the day and support an Indigenous creator at the same time. 🧡 check out my orange shirts here.
