143 Day is almost here! Here’s how your family can celebrate

Photo above from Shaler’s 143 Day celebration 2023 courtesy of Shaler Area School District.

143 Day is almost here. And though it’s become an official statewide celebration throughout Pennsylvania, the day has a special significance here in Pittsburgh, the home of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.”

Fred Rogers famously used the number of letters in each of the words “I,” “love” and “you” to create the shorthand phrase “143” as a creative way of saying “I love you.”

In Pittsburgh, it’s become synonymous with expressing caring and kindness for others. And it’s now celebrated on the 143rd day of each year, which is May 23. This year is a bit different, though: 2024 is a Leap Year. So that extra day in February means that 143 Day falls on Wednesday, May 22 this year.

It’s a great day to celebrate with your kids, so we’ve rounded up some ideas for at-home celebrations and details on events you can attend. (Please do e-mail us if you know of additional events we should add to this list.)

Here are some ideas:

Enjoy original episodes: Although newer shows like “Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood,” “Alma’s Way” and “Donkey Hodie” from Fred Rogers Productions are popular with young kids, it can be wonderful to spend time watching original episodes of “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood” as a family. Perhaps making a special meal together and sit down for a “Mister Rogers” marathon. You can find full episodes on the PBS Kids website, Amazon Prime, Pluto TV and elsewhere.

Do a kindness craft project: Kidsburgh has several easy do-it-yourself projects that create cool, kindness-related art and gift items. Check out these DIY kindness keychains, beautiful homemade friendship bracelets and domino tile necklaces, and discover creative ways kids can make a poster to collect donated goods.

Plan ways to help your neighbors: 143 Day can be a great moment to brainstorm with your kids about a project you might do this summer. You can get ideas from these Kidsburgh Kind Kids or dream up your own ideas. Maybe you’ll want to collect grocery donations for a nearby food pantry or raise funds for an animal shelter. Or perhaps you have an elderly neighbor who would appreciate help with errands or yard work. The possibilities are endless and 143 Day is the perfect time to start a plan.

Make ‘Love Letter’ Cookies: Jasmine Cho’s love-themed baking project will have your family expressing caring in the sweetest way. Just follow this video for the recipe and instructions.

Wonder with Your Kids: Last year, “When You Wonder, You’re Learning” co-authors Gregg Behr and Ryan Rydzewski created a special video for 143 Day. They invited Kidsburgh families to come along on their adventures as they meet Pittsburgh neighbors who do wonderful things, like putting the swirls in Jenny Lee cinnamon swirl bread in McKeesport and working hard at Astrobotic to send rockets to the moon. You can find the video here or watch it below:

May 22, visit Shaler Area School District’s 143 Day of Kindness Event: This annual party honors the legacy of Fred Rogers and celebrates the culture of kindness, acceptance and gratitude within the school community. Though this all-ages party beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Shaler Area Elementary School is designed mainly for the Shaler Area School District’s K-6 students and their families, folks from surrounding neighborhoods are welcome to visit the celebration and embrace the values that define Shaler Area. Get all the details here.

May 23, celebrate at Scott Township Public Library: The folks at this library are sticking with the traditional date of May 23 for their public celebration. You can drop in at the library any time between noon and 8 p.m. to enjoy a special Mister Rogers-themed craft and kindness challenge.