What is NAIDOC Week for Kids: Culture, Stories & Celebration

The first Sunday of July kicks off NAIDOC week, an annual celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait culture.

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And we’re excited to celebrate it with our kids, and our whole community.

Not only is National NAIDOC Week a wonderful opportunity to appreciate Indigenous art, customs and history, but there are also some wonderful lessons we learn about ourselves as we learn from the past and look to the future.

Not sure where and how to start?

We have just the tips and resources (including some YouTube videos) to help you brush-up your knowledge of NAIDOC history and dive into those conversations confidently.

Let’s start with the basics:

NAIDOC = National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee

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This special week is named after the NAIDOC committee (National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee) and is celebrated across Australia every year, starting on the first Sunday in July. So mark your calendars, this year it starts on the 6th of July and goes on till the 13th of July.

This annual event celebrates the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, marking a time to acknowledge the traditional owners of our land, recognise their incredible storied history, and learn about the rich tapestry of their culture and experiences in a respectful, inclusive way.

While the acronym NAIDOC historically included the term ‘Aborigine’, it’s important to know this term is now considered outdated and disrespectful. The preferred language today is ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’, ‘First Nations peoples’ or ‘Indigenous Australians’, depending on the context.

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How did NAIDOC Week come about?

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NAIDOC week was actually born out of protest when Australia Day protestors marched through Sydney streets in 1938.

The Australian Aborigines League played a significant role in civil rights activism, organising protests and promoting Aboriginal culture and rights. It inspired a tradition known as the Day of Mourning, or Aborigines Day, which continued to be held annually on the Sunday before Australia Day from 1940 to 1955. A shift then happened to make the day a celebration of Aboriginal culture, not just a protest, which set the date to the first Sunday of July instead.

The result, NADOC, which then went on to become NAIDOC with the inclusion of the Torres Strait Islander peoples.

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NAIDOC 2025: Honouring the past, celebrating the future

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Each year, NAIDOC reveals a central theme to the celebrations.

Last year, the theme was “Keep the fire burning! Blak, loud and proud.” This year, the theme is “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy.”

Why? It’s time to celebrate the amazing things done in the past as we look ahead to a bright future. The theme this year celebrates the strength of young leaders, the big dreams of communities, and the wisdom passed down through generations. It’s also a powerful reminder that our kids are not just part of the future, they are the future.

And an opportunity to tell them that we’re so proud of everything they’re becoming.

Is National NAIDOC Week different from Reconciliation Week?

Yeah, it is. Both focus on different things.

While Reconciliation Week focuses on healing the relationships, and marks important events like the 1967 referendum, NAIDOC Week began as a day of mourning. NAIDOC week is now a lively celebration of Indigenous culture – both Aboriginal and Torres Strait.

National NAIDOC week for kids

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It can be tricky to know where to start when talking about NAIDOC Week with kids – especially with little ones still learning the basics. But that’s exactly why it’s so important to begin.

Start small if needed, whether it’s reading a book, watching a show, or joining a local event. Consider engaging in NAIDOC Week activities such as art competitions, reading Dreamtime stories, or simply watching Indigenous Australian TV programming.

It’s a great opportunity to tune into Indigenous voices and sow the seeds of valuing Indigenous culture, understanding the importance of celebrating diversity, and valuing the contributions of Aboriginal people throughout history.

Celebrate NAIDOC week with learning

The first place to learn about NAIDOC week is right where you are.

Teaching children who the Traditional Owners of the land are is a great way to acknowledge Indigenous cultural heritage and share the rich First Nations culture with your kids. This helps bring respect and awareness of the ongoing relationship between Indigenous Australians and their Country.

Kick off NAIDOC Week Celebrations With Indigenous Content

Changing up your normal viewing to include Indigenous-focused content can grow your child’s curiosity about Indigenous culture and help them see the beauty of it. Consider including content that features Australian native animals as part of the educational experience.

ABC iView has an entire page dedicated to NAIDOC week that’s brimming with shows such as special Play School episodes, Dreamtime stories and the award-winning and brilliant Little J and Big Cuz series.

Here are some videos that break it down for the kids:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lgl8khN47iM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e4UU0ya3sM&t=91s

Get crafty with NAIDOC Week activities

Celebrate and learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures with your kids this NAIDOC Week through thoughtful and creative activities.

Explore First Nations children’s books together, then get hands-on with activities inspired by the stories – like making story stones to retell what you’ve learned in your own words. Cotton tip painting can be a great way to explore pattern and colour, while sparking conversations about the deeper meaning and cultural importance of traditional Aboriginal art.

Rather than recreating sacred items like Torres Strait Islander dhari headdresses, use the moment to learn what they symbolise – through videos, books or artworks shared by Torres Strait Islander people themselves.

Check Out Local Events

Don’t just talk about it, let your kids be a part of the celebrations and check out the local NAIDOC week celebrations happening in your local area.

NAIDOC Week always has some exciting events lined up across Australia (6–13 July 2025). If you’re in Sydney, head to Paul Keating Park on July 5th for the NAIDOC Family Fun Day (there’s a free BBQ.) You could also visit PCYC Marrickville for the AbSec Family Fun Day for some storytelling, workshops, live performances, and food that the kids will just love.

Or if you’re in Brisbane, the Logan NAIDOC Family Fun Day is on 9th July at Kingston Butter Factory, with live music, cultural workshops, and a flag-raising ceremony.

There’s a lot to do, and a lot more to learn! A complete list of events and details is on the official NAIDOC website.

Talk to your preteen

If your child is a little older and ready for deeper conversations, it might be time to talk about how we need to be allies for the Indigenous community.

An ally is someone who learns, supports, and stands up for others, especially marginalised groups. Your preteen can start by listening to Indigenous voices and sharing what they learn with friends, being curious about Indigenous history and culture, speaking up against name-calling, prejudice, or misinformation, and asking respectful questions to understand more.

Oh, and remember that it’s okay if you don’t have the answers to everything!

Each of us is still learning and growing our understanding of Indigenous culture and allyship, and there’s nothing wrong with researching an answer. Being an ally is being able to acknowledge that we’re not the experts, but we’re listening to those who are.