International Scribble Day is observed on March 27 annually, and it is all about celebrating the creativity and the art associated with scribbling, which anyone can do regardless of their artistic abilities. So the last time you scribbled aimlessly to relieve boredom, you might have probably not known that there is actually a day to celebrate the stress-releasing act of scribbling.
History of International Scribble Day
Scribbling is sometimes referred to as doodling and the terms are often used interchangeably but there is a slight underlying difference between both the acts and the origin of the words.The word scribble can be traced back to the Latin ‘scribere,’ which actually means ‘to write’. To scribble is to write letters or words hastily, often in an illegible manner. Doodle, on the other hand, refers to drawing or amateur art. Etymologically, the word doodle is derived from the German ‘Dudeltopf’ or ‘Dudeldop,’ meaning ‘simpleton’. So think of these terms as follows: when students are under pressure, they scribble on their notebooks, whereas students who are bored and daydreaming in class make doodles. The history of International Scribble day itself does not go too far back as the day was recently founded by Diane Alber, author of “I’m NOT Just a Scribble” in 2019. The book is about kindness and acceptance, demonstrated by a cute character, Scribble, and encourages children to create art no matter their ability. Diane made a Facebook post about her idea of initiating a National Scribble Day and got some very positive responses from teachers, so she went ahead with it. The day is usually celebrated in schools where children gather for different activities to create their own Scribble, the character from the book. International Scribble day encourages the practice of scribbling because, after all, every artist started with a scribble!
International Scribble Day timeline
Leonardo da Vinci scribbles in his tiny notebook.
The word ‘doodle’ appears for the first time.
The word ‘doodle’ is used in the film “Mr. Deeds Goes to Town.”
The first book on scribbling, “I'm NOT just a Scribble,” is written by Diane Alber.
International Scribble Day FAQs
What does scribbling mean?
Scribbling means to draw or write carelessly with or without any meaning to it.
How do you scribble?
That’s the fun about it, you can let your imagination as loose as you like! You can doodle with different shapes and lines or a combination of both. You can doodle faces, with different expressions. Almost anything that you like!
Where can I find scribble supplies?
You can start with just a pen and a piece of paper. Or you can get a Scribble Starter Pack, and download activity sheets from Diane Alber’s website.
How to Celebrate International Scribble Day
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Create your own scribbles
Bring out the crayons, markers, and other art supplies, and create your own scribbles. For added fun, engage your family, too, and turn it into a competition.
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Plan an event
You can host your own Scribble Day activities at your school or college. Register your institute for a Scribble Starter Pack and get as creative with the activities as you might like. Have fun naming your scribbles. Turn your final scribbles into a game of who’s who.
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Post on social media
Use #NationalScribbleDay to share your scribbles on social media to encourage others to participate.
5 Facts About The Power Of Doodling
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Allows to recall information
Doodling helps to recollect information hidden within our subconscious.
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Helps in being productive
Doodling acts as an exercise for the brain and helps with the engagement and processing of complicated thoughts and ideas.
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Relieves stress
Scribbling a drawing helps get through the stress induced by work, school, or the general pressures of life.
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Improves memory
Doodling about the content in a lecture or meeting gives the brain a way to remember and understand information visually.
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Relaxes the brain
Allowing the brain to take a breather is important — doodling relaxes the brain and helps ease the nerves.
Why We Love International Scribble Day
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It inspires creativity
International Scribble Day is all about celebrating the creativity and the art associated with scribbling. It encourages the creation of art regardless of artistic abilities.
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It breaks the misconception that doodling is useless
The celebration of International Scribble Day reiterates the fact that doodling is not a distraction, as it’s commonly thought to be. In fact, it improves cognitive functioning.
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It allows us to bond and collaborate
An idea of a day to come together and share all the amazing scribble art can be super fun! This can also be a wonderful day to make some global connections with others.
International Scribble Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | March 27 | Monday |
| 2024 | March 27 | Wednesday |
| 2025 | March 27 | Thursday |
| 2026 | March 27 | Friday |
| 2027 | March 27 | Saturday |
