International Children's Day: Inspirations & Ideas for a Special Family Day

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. It reminds us that children have the right to,

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

• to develop their personality freely,

• to go to school, to receive an education

• and to play without worries.

In Germany there are two occasions to remember these important rights. 1 June 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. Daycare centers and schools held celebrations for children and parents. There were parades and many opportunities for the children to play, and small gifts were also not to be missed.

In 1954 the International Children's Day was introduced by the United Nations . As a result, the Federal Republic of Germany decided to celebrate Children's Day every year on 20 September 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 yet been celebrated on such a large scale. There were, for example, 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.

How you can celebrate Children's Day

Today it's simply customary in schools, kindergartens and childcare facilities across Germany to plan a party, a parade or another nice 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 events for Children's Day that you can attend with your little ones. But there are also many great private ideas to celebrate this day:

Plan a party in the garden or indoors

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

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

Think of outdoor game ideas

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

Take a trip into nature

It's also a lot of fun, with children on Children's Day explore the nature on your doorstep. The little ones love to discover, romp and climb. If animals can be admired and natural treasures collected, a great adventure begins for your children. And you can directly pair it with a small gift – for example with practical tools or outdoor toys from Terra Kids that the explorers can try out right outside. These could be small tasks for your outing:

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

• 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 ground – what do the explorers find?

Host a family picnic

Or how about a family picnic on Children's Day? Of course, the favorite dolls of your kids shouldn't be missing. With doll carrier bag, doll bike seat or doll stroller the cuddly companions will comfortably arrive at their destination. What else do you and your kids need? Pack a picnic blanket, snacks and cool drinks and make yourselves comfortable at your favorite spot! If the weather doesn't cooperate, the picnic in the open simply becomes a walk, after which you can then enjoy treats at home.

Get out the board games & puzzle games

If the weather doesn't cooperate on Children's Day, don't despair! Then the family game night will be all the cosier. 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 the day – that makes playing even more exciting. Our recommendations for suitable games are, for example, the fast-paced guessing game Karuba, the tactical board game Würfelkönig or our new Family game POINT OF VIEW, in which you have to take on different perspectives and work well together to reach the goal.

Craft autumn figures with chestnuts, leaves & co.

A lovely idea for Children's Day on September 20 is to craft with the children. If you invite several children to an autumn crafting afternoon you can create lovely 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 right away on Children's Day!

Cook and bake with children.

On Children's Day, it's also about empowering children for the future. That's why it's a great idea to create a menu of their ownThe young cooks and bakers decide for themselves what to make, take the wooden spoon, taste as they go and are overjoyed when everyone likes 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 story hour at the end of Children's Day. Stories about 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 September 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 in the spotlight on Children's Day. We have more ideas about places where something might be happening on Children's Day:

• Many cities invite children to painting and crafting activities, town hall tours, or a children's festival invite them. On your city's homepage 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 such as a children's Olympics.

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

It's best to check the websites or social media channels of the places that interest you, whether there is an offering for Children's Day there.