November 20 is National Child Day in Canada.

There are 8 million kids in Canada, and they all have something in common—their rights!

National Child Day 2023

2023 marks the 30th anniversary of National Child Day in Canada – it’s a day to honour our country’s commitment to upholding the rights of children and two historic events: the 1959 signing of the UN Declaration of the Rights of the Child and the adoption of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989. Globally the day is known as World Children’s Day.

This year our theme is #EveryChildEveryRight because ALL 8 million kids in Canada should be able to experience ALL of their rights!

Last year more than 20,000 students and 200+ schools participated! Sign up as a classroom or with your whole school/organization to watch together. And be sure to check out our Activity Guide for ideas you can use at home and in school to

Join us on November 20th, 2023, and together we’ll once again make this the largest National Child Day event in history!  

#EveryChildEveryRight

Children and youth make up a quarter of our population and 100% of our future. They are the next generation of business leaders, teachers, doctors, activists and politicians. But they’re not just future leaders – they are leaders right now – in their schools, communities and even at a national level.

Promoting Reconciliation

This National Child Day, we are recognizing the unique rights
of First Nations, Métis and Inuit children – honouring
the past, acknowledging the present, and
igniting hope for the future. Check out
these great youth-led organizations that
are making a difference.
AddYourEvent@2x

Share Your Event

Hosting an event for National Child Day? We want to hear about it! Submit your event and it will appear on our interactive map.

T-Shirt-8MillionRising

Show Your Support for Kids

When you buy our National Child Day T-shirt, 100% of the profits go towards Children First Canada’s programs to advocate for kids. Every child has the right to achieve their full potential!

Speaking up for Children’s Rights

How an Ottawa woman played a key role in establishing the first National Child Day in 1993.

Did You Know?

There are 4 groups of rights for children:

Survival
rights

Development rights

Protection
rights

Participation
rights

These groups of rights come from the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). Click here for a child-friendly version of the UNCRC.

Video Contest!

Speak up for your rights! You have the chance to be featured across Canada. Enter the video contest now!

Win a #8MillionRising T-Shirt!

Partners and Sponsors

Official sponsor

National Premium sponsors

National sponsors

iwk health

community partners

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