CHILDREN’S DAY 5 MARCH 2023

Children’s Day (Te rā o ngā Tamariki) celebrates children in Aotearoa New Zealand. It’s a National Day of Awareness held annually on the first Sunday of March each year: 5 March in 2023. It was started in 2000 by the first Children’s Commissioner, who aimed to encourage a healthy environment for children (tamariki) and young people (rangatahi).

Children’s Day is a day for families and whānau to spend quality time with their children This is one of the best ways to help build their mana, their sense of self-worth and their ability to overcome challenges.

Results can include fewer behavioural issues at home or at school, fewer risky behaviours such as drug and alcohol usage, increased resilience, and even increased physical health. Quality time doesn’t need to involve spending money.

Here are some ideas for spending quality time with children and young people, while really listening to what they’re saying as well as showing them warmth and affection.

• Colours – Children’s Day colours are grass-green, deep purple, orange, and yellow. Have fun by wearing one or more of these colours, eating food of these colours, and naming as many things around you that are the same colours.

• Get creative – make handprints, family photo collages, 3D art, friendship quilt, build a robot.

• Put on a show – singing, dancing, acting. The floor is yours.

• Take over the kitchen – bake, make bread, cook a meal together, or invite grandparents over for a Devonshire tea with all the old-fashioned trimmings.

• Set up an intergenerational games’ day – with parents, grandparents and children learning the games that each generation played or play as children.

• Make a time capsule.

• Play board games.

• Hold a treasure hunt, dance party, or movie night.

• Get active – walk in the bush, swim at the pool, or play backyard soccer or cricket.

• Get outdoors – pack a picnic and take a trip to the park or the beach. Or go camping in your backyard or living room.

• Tell stories.