Incheon, SOUTH KOREA – A holiday that I always looked forward to when I was young was, without a doubt, Children’s Day. Taking a day off from school to go pick out a toy at the shopping mall certainly sounds delightful, and it was.
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I can still vividly remember wandering through the toy aisles, eyes wide, carefully deliberating over which toy to bring home. Sometimes it wasn’t just one toy, but a whole variety of things I’d been eyeing for months.
After shopping, there was always good food to look forward to, or maybe a trip to the zoo. The whole day felt like it belonged entirely to us kids.
Little Josephine Yein Lee selects another toy for Children’s Day as her grandmother prepares to purchase the teddy bear. (Lee family photo, used with permission)
As I grew older, Children’s Day sadly didn’t pique my interest the way it once did. But it left a trace of nostalgia in me, a reminder of simpler, carefree days.
So in celebration of Children’s Day, which is on May 5 every year, I wanted to share more about what this holiday means, particularly in South Korea.
Children’s Day is celebrated on different dates around the world, depending on local traditions. More than 90 countries have dedicated a national holiday to honor children, and on a global scale, World Children’s Day is recognized in over 100 countries on November 20th.
For South Korea and Japan, however, May 5th holds that special place. It is a major holiday in both countries, where families often visit parks, museums, and attend special events together.
While the ways of celebrating certainly vary by country and family, the heart of the holiday remains the same: a focus on children’s rights, well-being, and above all, their joy.
Common activities include educational events where schools and organizations teach children about their rights, as well as family outings like parades, picnics and free admission to museums or parks.
What makes Children’s Day in South Korea particularly meaningful to me is its deep-rooted history, which we learn in school but also from our parents.
Known as 어린이날 (Eorininal), this national holiday was first established in 1923 by children’s rights activist Bang Jeong-hwan.
Bang created Children’s Day because he believed children were the nation’s hope during the dark and difficult period of Japanese colonial rule, according to The Korea Times. Before his movement, children in Korea were often not viewed as independent individuals with rights, but rather as possessions of their parents – “small adults” frequently subjected to labor and harsh treatment.
On May 1, 1923, Bang officially proclaimed Children’s Day and issued a Declaration of Children’s Rights, the first of its kind in the world, predating the UN’s version by decades, the newspaper reported.
The holiday was originally held on May 1, but in 1946 was moved to May 5th because the original date coincided with International Labor Day, making it difficult for parents to fully dedicate the day to their children.
The author as a small child at a park venue for Children’s Day. (Lee family photo, used with permission.)
More than just a day off, Children’s Day is a reminder of something quietly profound: the importance of being present with the people who matter most.
Some of my fondest memories from that day weren’t just about the toys themselves, but about the time spent with family, laughing over a meal, exploring a new place together, or simply feeling like the whole world had slowed down just for us.
That sense of togetherness, of being celebrated and cherished, is something that stays with you long after childhood ends.
Looking back, I think that’s what Bang truly envisioned when he fought for children’s rights: not just protection from hardship, but the freedom to simply be a child.
To play, to laugh, to feel loved. Whether you’re celebrating with a trip to the toy store, a family picnic, or a quiet moment of reflection on your own childhood, Children’s Day is a beautiful occasion to remember the joy that shaped us. And perhaps, to carry a little of that joy forward.
Josephine Yein Lee is a Senior Reporter with Youth Journalism International.