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- Cause
- Tags:
- AwarenessDiseasesEducational
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Varies annually
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- 🎨
National Doodle Day draws attention to epilepsy research and support every September. This annual fundraising event encourages famous personalities to create unique doodles, which are then auctioned online. Participate by creating your own art, sharing awareness, or donating to support those affected by epilepsy.
Want to sponsor National Doodle Day? Learn how
Expected National Doodle Day Deals
National Doodle Day, as a cause-driven event, focuses on fundraising rather than commercial deals. The primary ‘deal’ is the opportunity to bid on unique celebrity doodles, with all proceeds directly benefiting epilepsy research and support organizations. Organizations like the Epilepsy Foundation and Epilepsy Action often partner with celebrities and art platforms to host these auctions. We anticipate art supply brands like Crayola or Faber-Castell may offer special promotions or donation-matching initiatives, encouraging public participation. Look for online auction platforms to feature the celebrity artwork. We will update this page with confirmed live fundraising events as September approaches.
Platform Guide for National Doodle Day
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NationalDoodleDay. Share your own doodles, behind-the-scenes of your creative process, or photos of your favorite celebrity doodles from the auction.
X/Twitter
Mention @NatlToday and use #NationalDoodleDay. Follow the auction in real-time, retweet posts from participating celebrities, and share facts about epilepsy awareness.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NationalDoodleDay. Share information about the cause, invite friends to participate in doodling, or create a fundraiser for epilepsy research.
National Doodle Day Hero
Sir William Gowers
History of National Doodle Day
People have been using doodles to communicate for a very long time — the first evidence of this is found in prehistoric cave drawings. Those drawings and symbols, possibly made with sticks and stones (and even hands), tell us stories of the people who came before. Early doodle-drawings shifted to another medium — tablets. Scientists studying samples from ancient times — for example, from Mesopotamian societies — found evidence of random images on the sides and edges of clay tablets. Some historians believe that doodling as an art form has always been around, however, the history of the word is quite different now.
During the pre-revolutionary war in America, a group of British military officers made up a song called “Yankee Doodle,” which they sang to mock the disorganized American soldiers. At that time, the word ‘doodle’ meant ‘fool’ or ‘simpleton.’ The Americans adopted this song as their own, altering it to mock their enemies during the war. Gradually, the word evolved to mean ‘to do nothing.’ Then, in the 20th century, “Mr. Deeds Goes to Town” was released, and it used the word doodle to talk about absent-minded scribbling. And so, doodles, as we know them, were born.
At the same time, studies of the subconscious mind to interpret personality gained popularity, and so did the interest in doodling as a stress buster.
National Doodle Day timeline
Da Vinci is a prolific doodler, scribbling important inventions (helicopter, submarine, tank, parachute), animal skeletons, life drawings of fetuses in the womb — amongst other things — at the edges of his manuscripts.
'Absent-minded scribbling' is the definition provided in the movie “Mr. Deeds Goes to Town,” and the word 'doodle' gains popularity after this film is released.
Mathematician Stanislaw Ulam doodles numbers at a boring lecture and realizes all prime numbers form a particular square spiral path; mathematicians agree that this is a significant discovery for their field
The founders of Google show they are out of the office for the Burning Man festival, and draw a stick figure behind the second 'o' of Google to create the first Google Doodle.
The charity organization, Epilepsy Action, establishes National Doodle Day to raise funds for epilepsy awareness and treatment.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Doodle Day
Local businesses can support National Doodle Day by hosting their own mini-doodle auctions, with proceeds benefiting a local epilepsy charity. Art supply stores could offer discounts on drawing materials, encouraging community participation. Cafes and restaurants might display customer doodles, perhaps offering a free drink to those who submit. Consider partnering with a local artist to create a mural or window display that raises awareness for epilepsy, using the holiday as a springboard for community engagement.
National Doodle Day FAQs
When is National Doodle Day?
National Doodle Day 2026 is observed on Friday, September 4. It’s an annual event that encourages creative expression to support a vital cause.
How many people are affected by epilepsy?
Epilepsy is a widespread neurological condition, affecting approximately 3.4 million people in the United States and around 50 million people worldwide. National Doodle Day helps fund research and support for this significant population.
How does National Doodle Day raise funds?
National Doodle Day primarily raises funds through online auctions of doodles created by celebrities and public figures. These unique pieces of art are sold to the highest bidders, with all proceeds directed towards epilepsy research and support programs.
What is the purpose of doodling for charity?
Doodling for charity on National Doodle Day serves two key purposes: it raises significant funds through the auction of celebrity art, and it increases public awareness about epilepsy. The creative and engaging nature of doodling helps draw attention to the cause.
How to Observe National Doodle Day
Doodle away
Sketch, draw, and scribble doodles for the people in your life who suffer from epilepsy. You can even participate in doodle events held around this day.
Learn more about doodles (and epilepsy)
Read up on the first doodles, how they are associated with stress relief, and how doodling can raise money for epilepsy. You can even find out more about the medical condition and how to help people afflicted by it.
Contribute to the epilepsy cause
Donate your doodles to the cause, if you can, by reaching out to art societies and places holding Doodle Day events. You can share your doodles online to spread more awareness of this event and the noble purpose behind it.
5 Important Facts About Doodling
Famous participants
The list of famous people doodling to support the cause is long and includes actors Stephanie Cole and Michelle Dockery, fashion designer Christina Stambolian, authors Jez Alborough and Helen Craig, and many more.
These people were all doodlers
John Keats, Sylvia Plath, Thomas Jefferson, Rabindranath Tagore, and even Ronald Reagan were famous for doodling all over their work.
A glimpse into our soul
Doodles inadvertently reveal our innermost thoughts and show what the mind comes up within its most unguarded moments.
Doodling provides an escape valve
When we feel pressured, doodling can help us alleviate this in a playful and creative way.
Doodling gives the brain a break
Researchers believe doodling can help the brain remain focused by giving parts of the brain a break, allowing us to absorb and retain more information overall.
Why National Doodle Day is Important
We love doodling
It has health benefits in that it is thought to improve brainpower. It’s also fun and we can let our imaginations run wild.
We're doodling for a good cause
Epilepsy is on the list of most common neurological diseases and comes in fourth after migraines, strokes, and Alzheimer’s. Our support can help raise awareness about epilepsy, and help people with this illness live free of prejudice and stigma.
Giving support was never this easy
Doodling barely takes any time to complete. It's an easy, simple, and valuable way to show support.
National Doodle Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | September 26 | Friday |
| 2026 | September 4 | Friday |
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