Weekend facts for kids

The weekend is a special time when most people take a break from work or school. It's a chance to relax, spend time with family and friends, or do fun activities. For many, the weekend includes Saturday and Sunday.

Different cultures and religions have their own ideas about when the weekend starts and what days are for rest. For example, many Christians see Sunday as a day of rest, often called the Sabbath. Jews believe their day of rest, the Shabbat, is on Saturday. For Muslims, Friday is often considered a day of rest and prayer.

What is the Weekend?

The weekend is usually the two-day period at the end of the work week. It's a time for people to step away from their regular duties. This break helps people feel refreshed and ready for the next week.

Why Do We Have Weekends?

Having a weekend is important for several reasons:

• Rest and Recharge: Working or studying all the time can be tiring. The weekend gives people a chance to rest their bodies and minds.
• Family and Friends: It's a great opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones. Many families plan activities together during the weekend.
• Hobbies and Fun: People can pursue their hobbies, play sports, read, or do anything they enjoy that they might not have time for during the week.
• Health and Well-being: Taking a break helps reduce stress and improves overall health.

History of the Weekend

The idea of a two-day weekend is fairly new in history. For a long time, most people worked six days a week, with only one day off for rest or religious observance.

How the Weekend Became Two Days

In the early 1900s, many workers in countries like the United Kingdom and the United States started asking for more time off.

• Some factories began giving Saturday afternoons off to workers.
• In 1908, a New England mill was one of the first to offer a full two-day weekend. This was to help Jewish workers who observed the Sabbath on Saturday.
• The idea slowly grew, and by the 1930s, the two-day weekend became more common, especially after the Great Depression. It was seen as a way to share work and give people more leisure time.

Weekend Activities

People do all sorts of things during the weekend! What someone does often depends on their age, interests, and where they live.

Popular Things to Do

Here are some common weekend activities:

• Relaxing at Home: Many people enjoy simply staying home, watching movies, reading books, or playing video games.
• Outdoor Fun: Going to parks, hiking, biking, swimming, or playing sports are popular choices.
• Socializing: Meeting up with friends, going to parties, or visiting relatives.
• Shopping and Errands: Some use the weekend to buy groceries, shop for clothes, or run other errands.
• Learning New Things: Taking a class, visiting a museum, or exploring a new place.
• Volunteering: Helping out in the community or at a local charity.

The Weekend Around the World

While Saturday and Sunday are the most common weekend days, it's not the same everywhere!

• In some Middle Eastern countries, like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the weekend used to be Thursday and Friday. Now, many have shifted to Friday and Saturday, or even Saturday and Sunday, to align more with global business schedules.
• This shows how the idea of the weekend can change based on culture, religion, and economic needs.

Images for kids

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  This day planner chart (which can be used for any months) shows the workweek days as white boxes and the weekend days as light blue-coloured boxes.

See also

In Spanish: Fin de semana para niños