Events

Join Children First Canada for an interactive digital event on National Child Day!

National Child Day 2024 Event

Join us on November 20th, 2024, for National Child Day as we celebrate the 35th anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child!

This year’s theme, #8MillionEmpowered, highlights our collective goal to empower all 8 million kids in Canada by defending their rights and ensuring they have the support to thrive. Children and youth are not merely future dreamers, but present-day innovators, leaders and changemakers. They are setting the stage for a brighter, more inclusive Canada with compassion, courage and conviction. Empowered young people can make a difference now, not just someday.

National Child Day is a time to honour Canada’s commitment to children’s rights, as part of the global World Children’s Day movement. Last year, nearly 40,000 students and 250+ schools participated, making it the largest youth event in Canadian history!

Sign up your classroom, school, or organization to join this year’s event, explore our Activity Guide for fun ways to get ready, and join our fundraising challenge to win great prizes.

Let’s make history again and empower the next generation together!

Meet Our Host

Ainara Alleyne is a 15-year-old host of CBC Kids News and co-creator, co-writer, and executive producer on Ainara’s Bookshelf.

Pricing

All funds raised support child rights education and empowerment programs with students across Canada.

Single Classroom
(1 class or a single participant)
$29

Small School
(5 classrooms or less)
$99

Full School
(more than 5 classrooms)
$199

Equitable Access
Available for free for Indigenous schools, and schools and individuals facing financial barriers. Contact us for a promo code: info@childrenfirstcanada.org.

Our National Child Day event will have unique programming for children and youth of all ages:

EARLY YEARS (Kindergarten – Grade 3)

Broadcast at 9am ET and 1pm ET
(30 minute program)

Join us for sing along with Raffi and children at the Wee Wild Ones early years centre, take a virtual field trip to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, enjoy a book reading with Onome Ako, award-winning Canadian author of “I Am Cherished”, and an appearance by Jeremy Fisher from Jeremy and Jazzy, get up and dance with Gurdeep Pandher of the Yukon, and be inspired by other special guests.

ELEMENTARY (Grades 4-6)

Broadcast at 10am ET and 2pm ET (45 minute program)

Join us for an action-packed program with a virtual field trip to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, a book reading of Weird Rules to Follow with award-winning Indigenous author Kim Spencer, dance with Gurdeep Pandher of the Yukon, get creative with students at the 6ix Academy, hear inspirational messages from special guests, and more!

SECONDARY (Grades 7-12)

Broadcast at 11am ET and 3pm ET (1 hour program)

Join us for an action-packed program with a special presentation by the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, an interview with members of the Young Canadians’ Parliament on knowing and claiming your rights featuring Angelina Jolie’s book with Amnesty International, a mindful activity with Full of Kindness, get creative with students at the 6ix Academy, and be inspired by young changemakers who are taking action in their communities and at the highest levels of government. We’ll also have inspirational messages from several special guests and a very exciting announcement!

Questions? Please check out our FAQ page or contact us!

National Child Day 2024 is made possible thanks to the generous support of:

Children First Canada also wishes to thank our incredible partners for contributing their expertise:

WWO-Logo

Toronto Metropolitan University Early Learning Centre