World Children’s Day, celebrated on November 20th, recognises the rights, needs, and dreams of children around the world. It’s a day to advocate for young people’s well-being, development, and education and ensure a brighter future for them. Technology has opened up exciting ways to celebrate this day, providing interactive, educational, and inclusive ways for children to enjoy and engage.
Virtual Storytelling Sessions
One beautiful way to honour World Children’s Day is through storytelling, as stories help children learn about themselves, others, and the world. Virtual storytelling sessions are increasingly popular and easy to organise. Libraries, schools, and organisations can host online sessions where storytellers from various cultures and backgrounds share stories that teach values of kindness, empathy, and resilience. Children can attend from anywhere with an internet connection, making this a powerful tool for cross-cultural learning.
Parents and teachers can also explore platforms like YouTube Kids, Storytime Online, and Audible, which offer an array of free stories narrated by authors and celebrities. These platforms create a fun, engaging way for children to experience the magic of storytelling.
Educational Apps and Games
Educational apps transform learning into play, which is a great way to keep kids engaged while fostering new skills. Apps like Duolingo for Kids, ScratchJr for coding, and Khan Academy Kids offer age-appropriate lessons and activities. For younger children, apps focusing on literacy, like Endless Alphabet, make learning letters and sounds enjoyable. Older children might enjoy more challenging apps, such as those for solving puzzles or learning basic coding principles. Encouraging children to learn through technology also builds their digital literacy, helping them develop increasingly vital skills in today’s tech-driven world.
Virtual Museum and Zoo Tours
If your family can’t make it to a local zoo or museum, fear not! Many renowned institutions offer free virtual tours and live streams that children can explore from home. The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, for example, offers 360-degree tours of its exhibits. At the same time, zoos like the San Diego Zoo have live animal cams that let children observe animals in real-time. Not only are these tours educational, but they’re also an exciting way for kids to feel connected to the natural and historical world.
Through virtual reality (VR) technology, children can experience tours with a new level of immersion. For families with VR headsets, platforms like Google Expeditions offer VR experiences that transport children to places like the Great Wall of China or the ocean’s depths.
Interactive Online Workshops
Many organisations hold special workshops for World Children’s Day, offering a range of fun and interactive topics, from art and cooking to science and music. Platforms like Zoom and Google Meet have made it easy for children to join classes worldwide, letting them participate in workshops led by experts and meet peers from different countries.
Parents and teachers can seek out organisations and cultural centres offering workshops relevant to children’s interests. Whether learning to cook international dishes, trying hands-on science experiments, or dancing to music from around the world, these workshops can provide kids with exciting new skills and global connections.
Digital Art and Creativity Projects
Creativity is essential for children’s development, and with the help of technology, kids can explore various artistic mediums digitally. Many accessible or affordable art programs like Procreate, Tux Paint, and Art for Kids Hub offer children the chance to draw, paint, and create digital collages. Some apps even allow children to animate their drawings, helping them experiment with creative storytelling.
Parents can also help children enter online art contests, which are often held around World Children’s Day. These contests encourage young artists to express themselves and showcase their work, helping build confidence and allowing children’s voices to be seen and celebrated.
Coding for Kids
Coding is a valuable skill and a fun way to promote problem-solving and logical thinking in children. Platforms like Scratch, Code.org, and Tynker have created age-appropriate lessons that introduce coding fundamentals through games and interactive lessons. Celebrating World Children’s Day by encouraging coding activities allows children to harness their creativity, bringing their ideas to life with technology.
Organising Family Video Calls with Story Sharing
Technology has connected families across the globe, making it possible to celebrate special days even if loved ones live far away. Parents can arrange family video calls where grandparents, aunts, uncles, or cousins share stories from their childhood. Sharing stories from different generations can give children insight into family history and cultural heritage. This activity helps children feel closer to their roots, teaching them values and lessons from their family’s experiences.
Video-Making and Storytelling
For budding filmmakers, World Children’s Day can be celebrated by creating short films or video diaries. Children can use simple editing apps like iMovie or InShot to record themselves telling stories, sharing favourite memories, or explaining what they love about being a kid. Parents can encourage kids to record their experiences and thoughts on this day and create a keepsake that reflects their perspective, building confidence in their self-expression and presentation skills.
Final Thoughts
When used thoughtfully, technology can be a fantastic tool to enhance children’s learning, creativity, and social connection. By embracing digital activities on World Children’s Day, parents and educators can create opportunities that empower children to explore, learn, and share—celebrating the potential, diversity, and dreams of every child around the world.
