For over 25 years, schools and communities have been observing Red Ribbon Week during the last week in October. Red Ribbon Week began as the commemoration of a local hero, murdered Calexico, California drug enforcement agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena. The event has grown into the nation's largest and longest-running drug prevention program for children.
Red Ribbon Week Suggested Themes
- Make a Difference. Live Drug Free.
- I Am Drug Free.
- One Way 2 Play – Drug Free
- Hugs Not Drugs
- I’d Rather Eat Bugs!
- Drugs Bug Me
- Smoking Bugs Me
- Say “Boo” to Drugs
Red Ribbon Week Costumes and Activities
Red Ribbon Week is observed as a week of awareness about drug prevention and related violence. In schools and communities, children are invited to participate in drug awareness and prevention activities, including
- decorating, coloring, and wearing red ribbons (see coloring pages below),
- showing unity through community or school colors,
- wearing "turning back the clock" historical costumes, and
- "crazy for healthy choices" crazy dress costumes.
Check out the Red Ribbon Coalition for a training manual, planning guide, artwork, and resources.
Red Ribbon Week gives teens and children the opportunity to express their concerns and fears about the affects of drug use in their families and communities. The nationally-recognized week also gives teens and younger children the opportunity to assume leadership roles to do something about the problem, such as
- organizing drug awareness activities around a daily themes, i.e., Recognition Day, Sports Day, Information Day, and Decoration Day; and
- creating Camarena Clubs.
Red Ribbon Coloring Pages and Printables
- Coloringcastle.com has printable awareness ribbon coloring pages in various sizes. For example, you can print out a page of small ribbons to hand out or larger ribbons for posters.
- Preventionpartners.com provides free red ribbon week coloring pages to help make your drug prevention activities successful. Kids may enjoy the silly but serious slogans: "Don't monkey with drugs" and "Drugs are unbearable."
- Kidprintables.com has anti-drug worksheets and activities, including word searches, bookmark, pledge cards, drug-free award, and coloring pages.
- The Drug Free Charlie Kid's Club provides Drug Free Charlie coloring pages and drug free songs. Drug Free Charlie is a cartoon clown.
- You can print Dr. P Body's Say-No-To-Drugs Trifold Brochure (pdf) and his Just Say No coloring page (pdf).
- The Teacher's Corner provides Red Ribbon Week printable worksheets and journal pages.
Building awareness about drug prevention in the community can be a lot of fun with costumes, crafts, and coloring.
You might also enjoy: Memorial Day Printables and Activities
Sara McGrath - Sara is a veteran homeschool mom of three, Usborne consultant, and the author of Unschooling: A Lifestyle of Learning.
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