Tips for Celebrating Pi Day

Happy National Pi Day! Here at the National Inventors Hall of Fame^®, we know how much fun Pi Day can be for schools. Celebrating this special number is a chance to promote math and its many possibilities.

Exploring math concepts in a fun and interactive way can make a huge difference for students who might feel anxious about the subject, helping them learn to approach it with a lighthearted curiosity. From arts and crafts to literary inspiration, you can organize a range of math-infused activities that will engage every learner and add fun to your day. Read on for tips to celebrate Pi Day with your students.

Make Pi-Themed Art

Want your students to practice an artful way of thinking about the superpower of math? Incorporating pi-themed art, from Pi Day paper chains to creating your very own color-coded pi bracelets, there are infinite ways to blend art and math to add creativity to this fun holiday.

Take on Pi Challenges

Because Pi measures the ratio of the distance around a circle (circumference) to the distance across (diameter), you can challenge students to find something circular in the classroom to measure!

Whether your students want to compete to see who can memorize the most digits of pi or get active during a school Pi Day run, challenging students in new ways is always a winning strategy.

Bake a Pie

Need a snack for your Pi Day celebration? This is a perfect opportunity for a witty and delicious pun! Baking and tasting a pie treat with students is a memorable way to celebrate pi. You can even share the stories of inventors whose work helps us make this delicious dessert.

Explore Space

When students learn the way pi informs real-world science, they have a golden opportunity to connect with STEM interests. Pi is particularly helpful for space exploration, so why not explain its relevance to exciting astronaut adventures?

Read Pi- and Math-Themed Books

Invite literature into the classroom with vibrant storybooks that help kids connect with the concept of pi. We’ve listed a few dynamic book selections below:

What Is Pi?: Pi Book for Kids

With colorful illustrations, this educational book entertains and informs kids about the magic number 3.14.

I'm Trying to Love Math

This is the perfect read for bright students who might get a little overwhelmed by math. This empathetic story helps students think about math differently using the power of comedy to introduce all the cool ways math is used.

Pi in the Sky

This science fiction book takes readers on an extraterrestrial adventure that explores the mysteries of time and space. Could pi be the key?

The Girl With a Mind for Math: The Story of Raye Montague

This inspiring story of persistence teaches students about the life of Raye Montague - a "hidden figure" who made waves in the U.S. Navy as a gifted mathematician and pioneer who changed the course of ship design forever. This book even includes a personal note from Montague herself!

There’s More to Explore

We hope these tips help your students engage with Pi Day in new and exciting ways. Explore our blog for even more ideas to celebrate STEM in your classroom.