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In 1989, the leaders of the world agreed that all children in all countries have the same fundamental rights. From the wealthiest to the poorest, these rights do not change, they are things like education, play, access to health services and protection from violence.
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child sets out what countries must do to ensure that all children can enjoy their rights, regardless of who they are, or where they are from. The only countries that have not ratified the treaty are Somalia, South Sudan, and the United States. Whilst 194 countries have signed the convention, many are still far from meeting its goals — there is still a lot of work to do.
This is a collection of activities for children and young people that will help you to understand what is meant by children’s rights. In the links and resources at the bottom of the page you will find books, films and other organisations doing excellent work on children’s rights.
Children's Rights Activities to do at home
- All Ages
- Woodchip 3-5
- Elfin 6-9
- Pioneer 10-12
- Venturer 13-15
- DF 16-20
Where are Decisions Made?
Know your rights! Explore where decisions are made and what barriers young people may have accessing these locations.
String of Rights
Know your rights! Find out about the UN rights of the child, then make a string of them to hang in your home
Water Use
All children have the right to food and water. Explore water use in your home and across the world.
Animal Farm: Celebrating Difference
Explore the right not to be discriminated against and celebrate each others differences, strengths and weaknesses.
Youth is Not Wasted on the Young
Explore the right to a childhood. What are the best things about being the age you are now?
A Day in My life
Explore the right to life and development through looking at other people's lives and illustrate a typical day in your life — how are they the same and where do they differ?
Investigating Family
All children have the right to a family. This activity looks at the similarities and differences with other families.
Refugee Board Game
Not all children in the world have their right to a home delivered. Make a board game to explore the journey of refugees across the world.
Window to the future
What changes would you like to see for children by 2039? Explore your creativity and make a window to the future and the rights of tomorrow
Journeys to School
Celebrate children's journeys to school across the world as they exercise their right to an education
Images to Icons
It is a fundamental right to take action and protest. Explore how powerful images can be used to make change.
Peace Cranes
Express your right to safety from conflict by reading the story of Sadako Sasaki and making peace cranes
Further Resources & Links
Links
The Equality and Human Rights Commission have created a Rights Tracker with a progress page which provides a snapshot overview of how well – or not – the UK Government is meeting its international human rights obligations.
Resources
Unicef have created this version of the convention plus other child friendly resources in a range of languages.
A free set of Rights and Responsibilities posters from TES.
Young Scots in partnership with the Scottish Government and Children in Scotland have created this activity pack on children and young people’s rights. These exciting activities were co-designed by children and young people across Scotland.
For activities to explore this further with a group see the Save the Children Take Care Toolkit
Good Reads
My Little Book of BIG Freedoms is illustrated by Chris Riddell and is suitable for everyone over the age of 4.
Malala’s Magic Pencil tells Malala’s story, in her own words, for a younger audience. Showing a worldview that allowed her to hold on to hope and to make her voice heard even in the most difficult of times.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed on 10 December 1948. We are All Born Free, published 60 years on, celebrates each declaration with an illustration by an artist or illustrator and is a great way to get to grips with the declaration for children and adults alike.
Watch
The Equality and Human Rights Commission have made this easy to understand video to introduce the Convention of the Rights of the Child.
UNICEF’s Just a Kid short film shows inspiring children speaking out, claiming their rights and leading the way to the world they deserve.
The official UNICEF YouTube channel is a fantastic place to find latest news updates from the frontline, documentaries, celebrity appeals, and more about their work to recognise and respect the rights of every child.
Projects
The Children’s and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland works with a team to protect the human rights of children and young people in Scotland.
Together is the Scottish Alliance for Children’s rights.
Oxfam has some fantasic Children’s rights resources.
Organisations
Children’s Rights Alliance England seek to achieve the full implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in England. They are advocating for a a society where the human rights of all children are recognised and realised.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission
IFM-SEI are leading on a project called Kids Got Rights focusing on Children and young people having their rights respected and collaborating with 8 organisations including the University of Barcelona and Woodcraft Folk!
Woodcraft Folk has always supported the Convention of the Rights of the Child and in 2020 was recognised as Leading Champions of Children’s Rights by SME UK Enterprise Awards.
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