Heritage Day on the 24th of September is the perfect chance to teach kids about South Africa’s vibrant cultures—through a fun, food-filled potluck!
Let’s make it easy to host a celebration where children explore not only their own roots but also the beauty of other cultures. From crafting to cooking, this guide will walk you through hosting a memorable, kid-friendly party with hands-on activities and free resources to help you along the way.
And don’t worry—whether you’re organising for little ones or teens, we’ve got age-appropriate activities (plus downloadable invitations, recipes, and more) to keep everyone engaged.
Why Celebrate Diversity?
Teaching kids to embrace diversity from an early age helps them grow up with empathy and respect. Heritage Day is an amazing opportunity to spark conversations about different traditions, languages, and customs—starting with something as simple as food and fun activities. When children see their culture and others celebrated equally, it fosters pride and understanding.
Easy Steps for Your Heritage Day Potluck
Planning a Heritage Day Potluck Party might seem daunting at first, but with a little organisation and creativity, you can pull off an event that everyone will enjoy. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you plan a celebration that is as meaningful as it is fun.
1. Send Invitations
Use our Customisable Invitation Template to make sure everyone gets the memo. Encourage guests to come dressed in traditional attire and bring a dish that reflects their culture. Need RSVPs? A shared doc can help keep track of dishes and avoid duplicates!
2. Plan a Cultural Feast
Food brings everyone together. Ask each family to bring a culturally significant dish. Whether it’s a treasured family recipe or a beloved cultural staple, this is a fun way for kids to taste and learn about different traditions. And if you need ideas, our Heritage Day Recipe Booklet has you covered!
3. Set the Scene
Create a warm, welcoming space with decorations that reflect the cultures represented at your event. You could even set up a ‘culture table’ where families can display items from their heritage. Add some fun activity stations to keep the little ones entertained while the food is being prepared.
Activities for
Younger Kids (3-7)
For the pre-school to early primary crowd, hands-on activities are key! Here are a few to keep their creativity flowing:
Story Circle:
Parents can share short folklore tales from their cultures in a cosy story corner. It’s a lovely way for kids to learn about different values and beliefs.
Ndebele Pot Painting:
Set up an art station where kids can paint pots in bright Ndebele patterns. It’s a fun way to introduce them to this iconic South African art form.
Indian Rangoli Rice Art:
Kids can create beautiful Rangoli designs using coloured rice (instructions included!). Download our Rangoli Colouring Pages to get started.
Cultural Scavenger Hunt:
Send the kids on a hunt for items representing South Africa’s 11 official cultures—plus Indian and Chinese elements. This activity is great for encouraging curiosity about the diversity around them.
Activities for
Tweens & Teens (8-18)
Older kids love a challenge, so here’s how to keep them engaged with activities that are both fun and educational:
MasterChef-Style Cooking Challenge:
Pair kids from different cultural backgrounds and have them tackle a dish from a shared menu—like pap and sheba, samosas, or braai broodjies! They’ll learn about each dish’s cultural significance while enjoying some friendly competition. Use our Recipe Booklet for step-by-step instructions.
Cultural Quiz:
Test their knowledge of South African languages, traditions, and cultural symbols in a fun quiz. Mixed teams help ensure that everyone brings something unique to the table!
Finish with Fun Prizes (and Memories)
Add some excitement with prizes for the winning quiz and cooking teams—like a cookbook or a cultural board game. Don’t forget to snap a group photo to capture the spirit of the day!
FREE Resources
to Make Planning Easy
We’ve created a range of downloadable tools to help you organise and enhance your Heritage Day celebration:
Hosting a Heritage Day Potluck Party is more than just about fun and food. It’s a powerful way to teach our children about the richness of our heritage and the importance of celebrating diversity. With these activities, your party will be not only memorable but meaningful—helping to build a more inclusive, empathetic future for our children.
Enjoy the celebration, and Happy Heritage Day!
