Why do we celebrate Children's Day?

Children's Day is a great opportunity to raise everyone's awareness of children's rights and to advocate for a better future for children.

• to grow up healthy and to receive protection whenever they need it,

• to develop their personality freely,

• to go to school, to get an education

• and to play carefree.

In Germany there are two occasions to remember these important rights. June 1st was introduced in 1950 in the former GDR as International Children's Day. On this holiday in honor of children there were no classes at schools. In day-care centers and schools there were celebrations for children and parents. There were parades and many opportunities for the children to play, and small gifts were also a must.

In 1954 the International Children's Day was established by the United Nations. Thereupon the Federal Republic of Germany decided to celebrate Children's Day every year on September 20th to celebrate. Here the day was henceforth called World Children's Day. From 1989 this day also became more important for most people in the old federal states, where it had not been celebrated so widely until then. For example, there were events by the German Child Protection Association and by UNICEF. And more and more cities, schools and childcare institutions used the day to celebrate children.

This is how you can celebrate Children's Day

Today it is simply part of schools, kindergartens and childcare facilities across Germany to plan a celebration, a parade or another lovely activity for the kids. Many parents wonder before Children's Day, what they can do with their children to celebrate the day. Fortunately, there are many public Children's Day events that you can visit with your little ones. But privately there are also many great ideas to celebrate the day:

Host a party in the garden or indoors

Take the opportunity if the weather for World Children's Day on September 20 is still nice is and celebrate Children's Day outdoors! That was already the hit this year at the celebrations for International Children's Day on June 1! For a party outdoors there are many options – in your own garden, on the playground or in a public park where maybe many other families are already celebrating. In our magazine we show you lots of inspiration around decoration, drinks and food as well as activities for your garden party for Children's Day.

And if the weather on September 20 doesn't cooperate, you'll find great ideas for indoor kids' parties in our magazine.

Think of outdoor game ideas

In nice weather you can also organize a small outdoor games olympics. From skill games to water games to throwing and catching games – there are so many lovely ways to enjoy Children's Day outdoors with games!

Take a trip into nature

It's also a lot of fun, to explore nature on your doorstep with children on Children's Day. The little ones love discovering, romping and climbing. When animals can be admired and natural treasures collected, the big adventure begins for your children. And you can directly combine the outing with a small gift – for example with practical tools or outdoor toys from Terra Kids that the explorers can try out right away outdoors. These could be small tasks for your outing:

• Observe animals with magnifying cups and let your children decide which little creatures they see enlarged.

• Let the little ones collect stones and ores. Can they categorize what they're holding in their hands?

• To celebrate the day, set off in search of hidden treasures in the earth – what will the explorers find?

Host a doll picnic

Or how about a doll picnic on Children's Day? Whether indoors or outdoors: grab the children, their favorite dolls, a picnic blanket, snacks and cool drinks and make yourselves comfortable at your favorite spot! A great surprise is if you bring toy treats as a Children's Day gift, from the colorful fruit net to the fresh watermelon. And of course colorful children's tableware and doll accessories must not be missing at the picnic!

Bring out the board games & puzzle games

If the weather isn't cooperating on Children's Day, don't despair! Then the family game night all the cozier. Think together with the children, what they would most like to play on Children's Day. Maybe you could award a prize to the winners to celebrate – that makes playing even more exciting. Our recommendations for suitable games include, for example, the entertaining guessing game Karuba, the tactical board game Würfelkönig or our new Family game POINT OF VIEW, where you need to take on different perspectives and work well together to reach the goal.

Make autumn figures with chestnuts, leaves & co.

A nice idea for Children's Day on September 20th is to to do crafts with the children. If you invite several children to a autumn crafting afternoon invite, you can create beautiful memories of the day together. From chestnut figures to colorful window decorations – in our shop there are many craft kits, with which you can get started on Children's Day right away!

Cook and bake with children

On Children's Day it's also about making children strong for the future. That's why it's a great idea to create with them a their own menu. The young cooks and bakers decide for themselves what to serve, wield the wooden spoon, taste as they go and are thrilled when everyone enjoys it in the end. Try the simple recipes from our magazine on Children's Day!

Tell or read stories to celebrate the day

Especially with younger children, you can plan a storytime session at the end of Children's Day. Stories of strong heroes and exciting adventures that make children's eyes light up, are perfect for this special holiday.

Public events for Children's Day on Sept 20.

Are you looking for public events around Children's Day? The first point of contact for a Children's Day celebration is, of course, the kindergarten, the school, or a club your children attend. There are usually great activities that put the little ones at the center on Children's Day. We have more ideas where something might be going on for Children's Day:

• Many cities invite children to painting and craft activities, town hall tours, or a children's festival invite. On your city's website you can find out more about the planned activities!

• Museums and other cultural institutions usually open their doors to children on Children's Day, offer child-friendly tours, interactive exhibitions and workshops, and celebrate the day with creative offerings.

• Sports facilities, from climbing gyms to trampoline parks, invite children to competitions and training sessions like a children's olympics.

• But also large shopping centers often start events for Children's Day and surprise the children with special offers in selected stores.

It's best to check the websites or social media channels of the venues that interest you, to see whether they have any Children's Day offerings.