One global family, one powerful voice: World Children’s Day at JAG

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On 20 November, more than 10,000 children across Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and the UK joined our Junior Adventures Group family to celebrate World Children’s Day. From blue-themed activities and creative art projects to powerful conversations about rights and hopes for the future, this global activation amplified children’s voices and connected them across borders through our upcoming pen pal exchange.

Celebrating creativity and connection 

Our OSHClub, POSH and Helping Hands services across the country came alive with colour, laughter and meaningful conversations. 

Right across Australia and around the world, children explored what makes them unique and shared their hopes for the future. Many services embraced the official colour of the day - blue - decorating rooms with balloons and streamers, baking blue cupcakes and cookies, and even creating blue slime and playdough. The vibrant theme set the tone for a day of fun and imagination. 

Creative activities were at the heart of the celebrations. Children painted handprints, designed murals and wrote messages about kindness, inclusion and the rights they believe every child should have. Some services hosted bake sales, while others encouraged children to write pen pal letters to peers in other locations, building connections beyond their own communities. 

The conversations were just as inspiring as the activities. Children spoke about their dreams and hopes for the future and reflected on what makes them feel proud and safe. These moments reminded us of the importance of listening to children and creating spaces where their voices are heard. 

Local action, global connection 

This wasn’t just an Australian celebration. Over 10,000 children across our Junior Adventures Group family in New Zealand, Ireland and the UK joined in the same activities on the same day. Together, we turned our clubs blue, invited children to create Handprints of Hope and asked them to share their hopes and dreams for the future. 

These messages will travel across borders in the new year as part of our Global Pen Pal Exchange, a simple but powerful way to connect children and amplify their voices worldwide. 

  • In the UK, our JAG UK teams transformed clubs from purple to blue and welcomed children to share their hopes and dreams for the future and write messages that will travel across the seas to connect with children in other countries 

  • In Ireland, Sherpa Kids services went big, bold and blue for World Children’s Day to welcome the children with meaningful activities and embraced the theme “My day, my rights,” encouraging children to express the kind of world they want to live in.  

  • Across New Zealand, sKids services celebrated with themed creativity and connection, reinforcing the importance of play and belonging that support, empower, and champion the tamariki in our care.  

Thank you to every educator, child and family who made this day so special. World Children’s Day was more than a celebration; it was a global statement of unity and care. By fostering creativity, belonging and agency, we help children imagine bright futures and feel valued today.