Across the country, early learning services, schools, libraries, sporting clubs, organisations and communities lead their own Children’s Day celebrations in ways that reflect and centre local culture, knowledge and priorities.

SNAICC supports all community-led celebrations by developing and sharing resources, including more than 20,000 Children’s Day bags each year, alongside event listings, promotional materials and activity ideas. Together, these supports enable hundreds of celebrations and events across Australia and ensure Children’s Day is accessible and visible; celebrating children, culture and connection in every corner of the country.

These celebrations take many forms, including storytelling, cultural learning, art exhibitions, music festivals, sports days and community gatherings, creating spaces where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are seen, heard and celebrated for who they are, their belonging to family and community and the futures they are shaping.

Each and every celebration is unique but they all share a common purpose: to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are seen, heard and celebrated, and supported to grow up strong in culture, identity and connection to family, community and Country.

Children’s Day can be celebrated in many ways and across many different settings.

• Early learning services and schools can create opportunities for children to learn, share and celebrate culture through storytelling, art, music, language, play-based learning and connection with families, Elders and community members. Children’s Day can also be a time to reflect on how learning environments support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to feel safe, valued, connected and strong in their identity.
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations, community groups and local services can bring children, families and communities together through activities, community gatherings, shared meals, performances, sport and celebration that centre children, families and community.
• Workplaces and organisations can recognise Children’s Day by creating space for staff and stakeholders to learn about the significance of the day, support local events and deepen understanding of the importance of culture, family and community in children’s wellbeing, development and lifelong outcomes.
• Libraries, sporting clubs, arts organisations and cultural centres can hold activities that celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, stories, languages and creativity, while creating welcoming spaces where all children and families feel recognised, respected and included.
• Families and carers can celebrate Children’s Day at home and in community by spending time together, sharing stories, connecting with culture, attending local events and celebrating the strengths, identities and aspirations of children.

Whether your celebration is large or small, what matters most is creating opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to be seen, heard and celebrated.

Children’s Day events and celebrations are strongest when they are guided by the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and reflect local cultures, knowledge and priorities.

When planning your Children’s Day celebration, you might consider:

• Engaging early and respectfully with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, Elders, families and community members. Allow time for genuine relationship-building and recognise that community leadership is central to how Children’s Day celebrations are planned and delivered.
• Following local cultural protocols and guidance, including appropriate ways of engaging with community, sharing stories, being on Country and respecting cultural knowledge and intellectual property. This may include seeking permission before sharing content, images or language.
• Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership and decision-making at all stages of planning and delivery to ensure the celebrations are not only informed by community but genuinely guided by community priorities, voices and direction.
• Centring local culture, language and knowledge, while recognising that Children’s Day is community-led and will look different in every place. What is shared, how it is shared and who leads it should always be determined locally.
• Planning in ways that are safe, inclusive and accessible, including creating culturally safe spaces for children and families, ensuring appropriate consent for photography or recording and considering accessibility needs so all children can participate fully and safely.
• Ensuring community participation is valued and supported, including through appropriate recognition, resourcing and, where appropriate, remuneration for Elders, artists, knowledge holders and community members contributing to the planning and delivery of celebrations.

Working in this way strengthens Children’s Day as a national celebration that reflects and centres local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, leadership and community knowledge. For non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and services in particular, genuine engagement and strong partnerships with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities help ensure celebrations are culturally safe, respectful and grounded in local community priorities and aspirations for children. Keep in mind that a genuine partnership is built through time, trust and respect.

There are many ways to celebrate Children’s Day in your workplace, community or service.

You might like to:

• organise an open day or morning tea where families, carers and community members can come together, connect and celebrate children in a welcoming and inclusive space,
• hold a family gathering or community fun day that brings children, families and community together through shared activities, food and celebration,
• host a children’s picnic or community event in a local park or shared community area, creating time for connection, play and celebration in a relaxed setting,
• bring Elders, families and children together for storytelling, yarning and activities, creating space for sharing knowledge, lived experience and cultural learning across generations,
• include dance, music and performances that celebrate identity, language and culture, and support children to see and feel pride in who they are,
• run art, craft, play-based learning or sports activities led by children, centring children’s voices, creativity and leadership in how the day is shaped and experienced,
• hold a flag raising ceremony with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags, acknowledging culture, identity and the strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,
• organise a community BBQ, shared meal, fete or gathering that brings people together in celebration of children, young people, families and community,
• host sporting events, games or friendly competitions that support participation, joy and connection for children and young people,
• invite local Elders, leaders and community members to spend time with children in your service, school or community space, strengthening relationships, cultural learning and connection.

As a reminder, whether your celebration is large or small, what matters most is creating opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to be seen, heard and celebrated.