With Informed Families and National Family Partnership standing behind the message of prevention, Red Ribbon Week (October 23–31) is a perfect opportunity for families to come together and affirm safe, healthy choices.
With Informed Families and National Family Partnership standing behind the message of prevention, Red Ribbon Week (October 23–31) is a perfect opportunity for families to come together and affirm safe, healthy choices.
Below are engaging, easy-to-implement ideas to help you spark conversation, creativity, and connection at home this year.
Decorating your home sends a visible, shared signal: “We’re together in choosing health.”
Swap in a red bulb for your porch light or hang a red ribbon at your front door.
Tie red ribbons around chairs, lamps, or mailbox post.
Invite each family member to design a “Red Ribbon” poster with a positive message like “Choose to be drug-free” or “Our family says NO.”
Take a family photo in front of your red display and share on social media using #GoRedForRedRibbon or #RedRibbonWeek.
Creative activities help kids internalize the message while having fun.
Create a “Healthy Choices Puzzle” mural: draw a large blank jigsaw-puzzle on poster paper, and on each piece write or draw a healthy choice (e.g., “Stay active,” “Say no to drugs,” “Talk to my parent”). Then colour them red and assemble as a family.
Make paper red ribbons: fold red craft-ribbon into loops, glue them and attach to clothespins or cloth-ribbon, then hang as a family chain across a hallway.
Print a “Family Pledge Wall” and have each member sign, decorate, and display it.
Use the downloadable resources (parent flyer, youth pledge poster, planning guide) from Informed Families to guide age-appropriate discussions and crafts.
An open, relaxed conversation can be the heart of the week.
Pick a night this week for a “Healthy Choices Dinner” — ask everyone to wear something red.
Use the Informed Families Parent Pledge or the national pledge from RedRibbon.org to read together and have everyone sign (or hold hands and affirm verbally).
Ask open-ended questions:
“What does being drug-free mean to you?”
“What are some healthy choices you already make?”
“If you ever feel pressured or uncertain, who can you talk to?”
Emphasize that this isn’t a one-time “talk,” but an ongoing family dialogue.
Take advantage of the free tools to deepen the experience and make it easier for you.
Visit the Informed Families Red Ribbon Week campaign page to download: parent flyers, youth pledge posters, planning guides.
On the Red Ribbon Campaign site you’ll find a national planning guide, pledge forms and a photo-contest.
Encourage older kids (tweens/teens) to take the online pledge and maybe design their own “Why I Choose Healthy” poster or short video to share with friends.
While Red Ribbon Week is one week of focus, the goal is ongoing healthy habits.
Turn your “puzzle mural” (from step 2) into something you revisit: once a month, each piece becomes a mini-challenge (“This month I’ll try X”).
Keep the red ribbon decoration up all year as a subtle reminder of your family’s commitment.
Celebrate successes: when a family member makes a healthy choice, highlight it — maybe add a new red ribbon or ribbon tag to your chain.
Use the “Light Up America Red” concept: each time your family does a positive health action (e.g., chooses a fruit snack, goes on a walk, helps a friend) add a star or red sticker to a chart.