Celebrating children's rights in Australia

Children’s Week is Australia’s national celebration of children’s rights. It brings communities together to recognise children’s achievements, listen to their voices and celebrate their right to enjoy childhood.

In Australia, NAPCAN supports local celebrations that bring the national theme to life. This year’s theme puts children’s language, culture and religion at the heart of those celebrations.

From 24 October to 1 November, we invite communities across the country to host activities, attend events and celebrate children’s voices, creativity and cultural connections.

Why this matters

This year’s theme is an opportunity to celebrate the languages, cultures and traditions that children bring to our communities.

Across the country, we can bring the theme to life by:

Creating opportunities for children to share their languages, stories and traditions.

Celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, with activities guided by local communities.

Listening to children about what their culture, language and beliefs mean to them.

Making space for every child to participate and feel that their identity is respected.

Whether you’re a family, school, early learning service or community organisation, you can help make Children’s Week a celebration where children feel seen, heard and valued.

Turning children's rights into everyday practice

Children’s Week reminds us of the importance of recognising, respecting and promoting children’s rights. But how do we put these rights into practice?

NAPCAN’s Safer Communities for Children training supports educators, professionals and community members to have meaningful conversations with children about safety, understand their perspectives and respond in ways that help them feel safe, heard and supported.

Through engaging stories and practical resources, the training helps adults build their confidence to support children’s wellbeing and create safer environments where children can thrive.

2027 Children's Week Poster Competition

Australian children are invited to submit an entry into the 2027 Children’s Week Poster Competition.

The 2027 Children’s Week theme will be ‘Children have the right to share what they learn, think and feel’. This is based on Article 13 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

2027 Children's Week Activity Booklet

Celebrate Children’s Week with a free activity booklet designed to encourage children to explore, share their ideas and express their creativity.

Inspired by the 2026 Children’s Week theme, ‘children have the right to use their own language, celebrate their culture and practise their religion’, the booklet provides activities for children to have fun, learn and share their voices.