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While you might be eating pasta for National Spaghetti Day this Sunday, January 4 is also a globally significant holiday: World Braille Day.
It celebrates the birthday of Louis Braille, the French educator who, after losing his sight at a young age, invented the system of raised dots that is still used today.
Here is the wildest part that you should tell your kids: He invented it when he was only 15 years old.
He didn't wait until he was a grown-up to solve a problem. He took a military code and simplified it so that blind people could read and write independently.
This Sunday is the perfect time to talk to your family about accessibility, empathy, and how we communicate. Here is how to celebrate World Braille Day at home.
The Distinction: It’s Not a Language
First, a quick fact to share at the dinner table:
Braille is not a language. It is a code.
Just like you can write English, Spanish, or French using the Roman alphabet, you can write almost any language using Braille cells. It is a way of mapping sounds and letters to touch.
The Tool: LEGO Braille Bricks
If you want to introduce the concept of Braille to your kids in a way that feels like play, you need to know about LEGO Braille Bricks
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The Concept: These look like standard LEGO bricks, but the studs on top are arranged to match the letters and numbers of the Braille alphabet.
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The Inclusivity: The bricks also have the printed letter on them, so sighted and blind children can play and learn together. It turns literacy into a tactile game.
The Book: Six Dots
To help younger children understand the history, we recommend adding this book to your shelf.
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The Pick: Six Dots: A Story of Young Louis Braille by Jen Bryant.
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Why it wins: It focuses on Louis as a child. It captures his frustration with a world that wasn't built for him and his creative genius in inventing a solution. It is beautifully illustrated and deeply inspiring for young inventors.
The Activity: The "Braille Hunt"
You likely pass by Braille every single day without noticing it.
Turn Sunday errands into a Scavenger Hunt. Challenge your kids to find Braille in the "Wild."
Where to look:
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Elevator Buttons: This is the most common place. Have them close their eyes and feel the numbers.
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Restroom Signs: Public spaces are required to have tactile signage.
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ATM Keypads: The number 5 usually has a raised dot to help orient the fingers.
The Lesson: Ask them, "If these bumps weren't here, how would you know which floor to push?" It sparks a conversation about why accessibility matters for everyone.
See the World Differently
World Braille Day is a reminder that there is no "right" way to read or write. There is just communication.
Whether you buy a book, build with bricks, or just run your fingers over an elevator button, take a moment this Sunday to appreciate the genius of a 15-year-old boy who decided to light up the dark.
Share Your Braille Day Celebration!
How are you celebrating World Braille Day? Whether you're teaching your kids about Louis Braille, playing with LEGO Braille Bricks, or hosting a Braille Scavenger Hunt, we'd love to see it! Share your photos and tag us on Instagram and TikTok @onmanyoccasions so we can celebrate with you. Don't forget to use #WorldBrailleDay and #OnManyOccasions—we might feature you on our page! ✨
Happy World Braille Day!
What’s Coming Up?
The first week of January is just getting started.
Next up is National Bird Day (Jan 5) and National Tempura Day (Jan 7).
Keep your family learning and celebrating by downloading our Free 2026 Celebration Calendar.
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