National Children’s Day in the United States is celebrated on the second Sunday of June (June 8, 2025). This day is dedicated to celebrating childhood and the importance of children by acknowledging the difficulties children face, and taking steps to safeguard their futures.
The United Nations (UNICEF) World Children’s Day is celebrated November 20th. The focus of this holiday is to protect and preserve the rights of children to live in societies where they have access to food, clean water, shelter, medical care, education, and protection from exploitation and child labor.
I’ve heard Children’s Day described as a made-up commercialized holiday that encourages parents and grandparents to buy stuff for tiny people who already have too much stuff. That’s only true if you decide to spend the day that way.
The Reverend Dr. Charles Leonard of the Universalist Church of the Redeemer in Chelsea, Massachusetts proposed a National Children’s Day in 1856. Reverend Leonard’s reasons for suggesting this day centered around preserving the family unit and improving the lives of children who were often regarded as little more than another mouth to feed or a future worker to help support their family. Infant mortality rates were high. Diseases devasted families. Children as young as four years old were working on farms or in factories instead of going to school or enjoying being a child.
The goals established for Children’s Day had absolutely nothing to do with spoiling children by showering them with gifts.
Specifically, National Children’s Day aims to increase:
Recognition of Children’s Rights: It highlights the significance of children’s rights and the need to protect and nurture them.
Quality Time: It encourages parents and guardians to spend dedicated time with their children, strengthening family bonds.
Awareness: It raises awareness about the issues children face globally, such as education, health, and safety.
Celebration of Childhood: It celebrates the joys of childhood and the potential that each child holds for the future.
How can you make this day special without it becoming a money pit:
1. Share with them why Children’s Day was created in an age-appropriate manner
2. Spend quality time with them. Make art, play games, or read stories.
3. Cook together and have a special family meal. Have a picnic in the backyard or a park.
4. Go to one of their favorite places
5. Create a family time capsule or write a family story and add to it each year.
6. If you don’t have children of your own, celebrate the children in your community, volunteer or make a donation to a charity that helps children.
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