Children's Day: Why we celebrate it and how to give it real meaning

Children's Day is celebrated on June 1st - but why? Find out where this holiday comes from, what it means, and why we shouldn't just see it as a day of fun.

Dear ladies, do you still remember your childhood days? How were they celebrated back then? I remember the parades and maybe some performances. Fortunately, today it's about something different, much more fun! But one thing remains - Children's Day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our smallest and most beloved, whether they are our children, who have grown up a bit, or our grandchildren!

Did you know that the first initiative to establish a children's day originated in Turkey in 1920? The then defender of national rights, Mustafa Kemal, declared that children were an important part of building a new state. So imagine, they already knew back then that it simply couldn't be done without children! And the date of April 23 is still celebrated there as a national holiday to this day.

A few years later, Children's Day was discussed at the World Conference for the Welfare of Children in Geneva, which symbolically set the date for the celebration as June 1. And although Children's Day was not officially declared right away, on the same day, June 1, 1925, the Dragon Boat Festival was held in San Francisco, where the Chinese Consul General gathered orphans to highlight the need for greater care for children. These two events essentially laid the foundation for our June celebrations.

And in 1949, the International Democratic Federation of Women declared the Day for the Protection of Children. The reason was sad, the mass killings of women and children in Lidice and in Ouradour, France. The date of June 1 was established in memory of the orphans in San Francisco and the first conference on the welfare of children.

And the goal was for every state to focus on its youngest residents once a year and support their healthy development and access to education. Even though the UN General Assembly recommended celebrating World Children's Day on November 20th (because the Declaration of the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Rights of the Child were adopted on that day), we in the Czech Republic kept ours, June 1st.

And why not? We can celebrate all year round! Especially when we also have World Parents' Day on June 1st – so we have two in one, what more could you want?

In the past, in Czechoslovakia, great emphasis was placed on the political significance of Children's Day. I remember how schools used to broadcast radio speeches and organize demonstrations. . After all, as Mr. Novák aptly noted in 1958 in his Osvětová práce: "When organizing Children's Days, we must realize that their purpose is primarily to have fun for children, and not for adults, who participate in this cultural event in surprising numbers." And I completely agree with that!

It's interesting how Children's Day is celebrated around the world!

• Germany is probably the record holder – it is celebrated twice: on June 1st (East German tradition) and September 20th (modern Kindertag).
• IN Austria Although they officially celebrate June 1st, they apparently pay more attention to Family Day. Which is also nice!
• Ukraine holds June 1st as a state-recognized Children's Day with an emphasis on cultural and sports activities.
• Japan It's May 5th and families are flying colorful flags in the shape of carp as a symbol of strength and perseverance. It must be a beautiful sight!
• India commemorates November 14 in honor of the birthday of the first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, who was known for his love of children.

Today, Children's Day is a great opportunity to make the day more enjoyable for our little (and big) children with something special. Families go on trips, to the zoo, amusement parks or hold celebrations at home. And cities are competing in organizing events full of competitions, games and performances.

If you're wondering what to do, I have a few tips for you on how to enjoy the day to the fullest:

• Picnic or garden party: Balloons and favorite treats always make everyone happy!
• Small gift: Something that will delight and encourage creativity or development.
• Family tournament: Board or outdoor games that will get your blood pumping and your laughter flowing.
• Thematic trip: Nature, a farm or an interactive museum, it never disappoints.

And if you are looking for a place where children are guaranteed to have fun, I have prepared a small overview of great amusement parks in the Czech Republic that are worth visiting:

• Mamut and Mamutík's water park in Lower Moravia: The giant 13-meter mammoth is the largest model in the world! In addition to the mammoth, you will also find the Mammoth Water Park, the Sand World, the Forest Adventure Park and the Amálka Children's Park.
• Miraculum in Milovice: 10 hectares of fun with a forest playground, a petting zoo, giant trampolines, rope centers and underground passages. And they also have a water world and oases with water games!
• Paradise on Earth in South Bohemia: A nature adventure park full of games, puzzles, adventure tasks and interactive programs. You can try a barefoot trail, an archaeological site or a large wooden maze.
• Emil's forest world in Janske Lazne: Forest playground near the Treetop Walk with 11 climbing frames, slides, swings and even a mini farm with goats and sheep.
• Merlin's Children's World at the Hatě border crossing: Fun on land, in the water and in the air! Ferris wheel, pirate shooting range, car tracks, mini golf and children's traffic playground. Admission is free, you only pay for the attractions with tokens.
• The Kingdom of the Forest on Lipno: Extensive ropes courses resemble animal trails where children learn to recognize trees and animal tracks.
• Dragon playground in the Hrubá Voda Resort: Water playground, underground maze and children's dragon playground with climbing frames and a monkey tree.
• Hulice Water House: A modern visitor center where you can learn all about water. You can play with water outside on the playful water features. And don't forget to change your clothes, children tend to be like little watermen after playing in the water!
• BONUS TIP: DinoLive Prague: New for 2024! An open-air park dedicated to the fascinating world of dinosaurs. Ideal for all ages!

So, dear ladies, do you know where you're going to celebrate Children's Day with? grandchildren? Whatever you choose, most importantly, enjoy it! Because children's laughter is the most beautiful gift. Happy holidays to everyone!