Did you know 2026 is serving up not one, not two, but THREE Friday the 13ths? That’s right—this February, March, and November all include this famously “unlucky” day. Whether you see it as spooky, silly, or just a neat calendar quirk, it’s a rare treat worth talking about.
Friday the 13th has been the stuff of superstition for centuries—think ladders, black cats, and triskaidekaphobia (that’s the ten-dollar word for fear of the number 13). But in education, let’s flip the script. Why not lean into the fun and turn this once-in-a-while occurrence into a chance for themed activities, puzzles, and classroom curiosity? After all, what’s luckier than finding an excuse to add a little mystery and play into learning?
13 Phobias Quiz
This Canva presentation features thirteen multiple choice questions about common and quirky phobias, plus one bonus question. Students answer questions such as identifying the fear of the number thirteen or determining which phobia relates to spiders. Each question is followed by a slide that reveals the correct answer.
Friday the 13th Superstitions Trivia
Another way to bring Friday the 13th into your classroom is with a trivia game! Challenge students with multiple choice questions about black cats, broken mirrors, spilled salt, ladders, lucky grapes, and more. It’s a playful way to explore cultural beliefs and test their knowledge of common (and quirky!) superstitions.
The Friday the 13th Breakout
This Friday the 13th digital breakout does not walk students through a series of puzzles. Instead, students explore the page, search for clues, and figure out what information matters. Nothing is labeled and nothing is explained upfront. Students must explore, notice patterns, and determine which information matters. This breakout works well as a whole class activity, in small groups, or as an enrichment challenge. Five locks include:
- 5 Color Lock
- 5 Shape Lock
- 3 Number Lock
- 5 Direction Lock
- 8 Letter Lock
Teachers, I will provide the five lock answers if you email me at preimers@tcea.org. If you are still scratching your head over my digital breakouts, please check out my Digital Breakouts 101 blog.
Invent Your Own Silly Phobia
Once students understand what a phobia is, it is time to get creative. In this activity, you can invite students to invent their own silly phobia by naming it, defining it, and optionally illustrating it.
Possible extensions include:
- Playing a guessing game where classmates define the phobia before it is revealed
- Writing short creative stories featuring an invented fear
- Creating a classroom phobia word wall
Friday the 13th may have a spooky reputation, but in 2026, it also offers four chances to turn superstition into curiosity and fun. Whether you choose one activity or all four, these ideas are designed to encourage critical thinking, creativity, and conversation. With three Friday the 13ths on the calendar, you might just find this to be a lucky year for learning after all.
