Hey there!
So you’re looking for some Reconciliation Week activities for kids, huh? Maybe you’re a teacher prepping your class, a parent wanting to do something meaningful at home, or just someone who thinks it’s high time the little humans in our lives learned a thing or two about understanding and respect.
First off, good on you. Seriously. Reconciliation Week isn’t just another date on the calendar we gloss over. It’s a crucial time to reflect on the relationship between the broader Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. And getting kids involved? That’s where the real, lasting change begins.
I’ll be honest, when I first started looking into this for my own kids, I felt a bit overwhelmed. I didn’t want to just throw a didgeridoo on the stereo and call it a day. That felt… well, kinda disrespectful and lazy. I wanted activities that actually meant something, that sparked genuine curiosity and empathy.
After a few years of trial and error (and believe me, there were some epic fails, like the time our “bush tucker” taste test ended in tears over some particularly sour fruit), I’ve gathered a list of go-to activities. These aren’t just arts and crafts projects – they’re conversation starters.
So grab a cuppa, and let’s chat about ten awesome ways to celebrate Reconciliation Week with the kiddos in your life.
1. The Acknowledgement of Country: Make It Personal
We’ve all heard an Acknowledgement of Country at the start of an event. But for kids, it can just sound like a bunch of big words. The magic happens when you make it their own.
What’s the Local Story?
Don’t just use a generic one you found online. This is the perfect excuse for a little family or classroom research project. Head over to a map like the AIATSIS Map of Indigenous Australia. It’s a brilliant tool.
- Find Your Place: Get the kids to help you find the specific Country you’re on right now
- Learn the Name: What’s the name of the Traditional Custodians? Let’s say you’re on the land of the Gadigal people. Get them to practice saying it. It shows respect right from the get-go
- Write It Down: Now sit down together and write an acknowledgement. It doesn’t have to be fancy. It just has to be from the heart
For example: “Today we want to pay respect to the Gadigal people, the Traditional Custodians of the land we’re learning on. We thank you for caring for this land for so long and acknowledge all Elders past and present.”
Bold Idea: Have the kids deliver this acknowledgement at the start of each day during Reconciliation Week. It gives them ownership and a real sense of purpose. IMO, this is the single most important habit we can build.
2. The “Two-Way” Story Time
Stories are the heartbeat of culture. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, storytelling isn’t just entertainment – it’s how knowledge, law, and history have been passed down for millennia.
Move Over, Fairy Tales
This week, let’s put the traditional fairy tales aside and dive into books by Indigenous authors and illustrators. This isn’t just about reading a story about Aboriginal culture – it’s about supporting and listening to Indigenous voices.
- For the little tackers (ages 3-6): “Welcome to Country” by Aunty Joy Murphy and Lisa Kennedy is a visual stunner
- For primary school kids (ages 7-10): “Stolen Girl” by Trina Saffioti is a powerful (though gently handled) introduction to the Stolen Generations. Have tissues ready. Seriously
- For older kids (ages 10+): “The Boy from the Mish” by Gary Lonesborough is a fantastic coming-of-age story
After reading, don’t just shut the book. Ask questions! “Why do you think that character felt that way?” or “How is this story different from the ones we usually read?” It’s in these chats that the real understanding starts to bloom. FYI, your local library will likely have a special display up during this time, so it’s easy to grab a stack.
3. Get Outside on a Bush Food Scavenger Hunt
Ever wondered why that plant your nan always told you not to touch was actually so important? Bush tucker is a fantastic way to connect kids with the land in a hands-on, sensory way.
A Word of Warning (The Serious Bit)
Please, please, PLEASE do not just go outside and start munching on random plants. That’s a one-way ticket to a bad time (or the hospital). The goal here is observation and appreciation.
- Do Your Research: Find a local Aboriginal botanic garden or a guided bush tucker walk. Many places offer these specifically for schools and families during Reconciliation Week
- Create a Scavenger Hunt List: Make a list of plants to look for (safely) and observe. Think:
- A plant with soft, furry leaves (like a Lamb’s Tongue, used for soothing)
- A tree with bark that peels (like a Paperbark, used for wrapping and carrying)
- A plant with small, edible berries (like Muntries or Finger Limes, if you can find them in a garden setting)
- Taste Test (the safe way): Buy some bush foods from a store! You can often find things like lemon myrtle tea, wattleseed damper mixes, or even native jams. Have a taste-testing session. My kids were hilariously divided over the saltbush cookies. Some loved ’em, some looked at me like I’d betrayed them. 😀
4. Symbol Story Stones
Aboriginal art is rich with symbols. Dots, circles, and animal tracks aren’t just pretty decorations – they’re a language.
Let’s Get Crafty
This is a super simple, low-mess activity that yields amazing results. You just need some smooth stones and some paint (or paint pens, if you’re feeling fancy).
- Learn the Symbols: Look up some common Aboriginal symbols together. A “U” shape might represent a person sitting. A circle could be a waterhole or a campsite. Concentric circles often mean a meeting place
- Paint Your Story: Give each kid a stone and challenge them to paint a story using these symbols. It could be a story about their day, their family, or something they love
- Share the Story: Once they’re done, have everyone share what their symbols mean. One year, my daughter painted a stone with a big circle (home), little U-shapes (me, her, and her brother), and a line of dots (the path to the park). It was simple, but it showed she understood the concept of visual storytelling
5. The Flag Debate (A Friendly One)
The Aboriginal flag and the Torres Strait Islander flag are powerful symbols. But do the kids know why they look the way they do?
Design Your Own
Start by looking at the official flags together. Talk about the meaning of the colours:
- Aboriginal Flag: Black (the people), Red (the earth and ochre), Yellow (the sun)
- Torres Strait Islander Flag: Green (the land), Blue (the sea), Black (the people), White (the headdress and the five-pointed star representing the island groups)
Then throw down a challenge: “If you had to design a flag that represented your family or our classroom, what would it look like? What colours and symbols would you use and why?” This isn’t about copying – it’s about understanding the process of creating a meaningful symbol. You’ll be amazed at what they come up with.
6. Learn a Word (or Ten) in a Local Language
Did you know that before colonisation, there were over 250 distinct Indigenous languages in Australia? Many of these languages are now being revitalised by communities. Learning a few words is a simple act of respect.
Start Small and Local
Don’t just learn a word from a random language group on the other side of the country. Find out the language of the Traditional Custodians of your area. Search online for “[Your local area] Aboriginal language words.”
You can learn:
- Hello / Welcome
- Greetings like “Good day”
- Names for local animals (kangaroo, koala, cockatoo)
- Terms for family (mother, father, friend)
We tried this a few years back, and the kids loved using the local word for “bye” for weeks afterward. It’s a tiny connection to the ancient history right under our feet. It’s way better than just saying “see ya later.”
7. Music and Dance: Get Moving!
Music and dance are infectious, aren’t they? They make you feel something in your bones. This is a perfect, high-energy way for kids to connect.
Listen, Don’t Just Appropriate
The key here is appreciation, not appropriation. It’s about exposing kids to the beauty and diversity of Indigenous music, not getting them to “play at” being Aboriginal.
- Listen to Contemporary Artists: This is my favourite way to do it. Create a playlist of modern Indigenous musicians. Groups like The Stiff Gins, Baker Boy, and Thelma Plum make incredible music that kids (and adults) can genuinely enjoy
- Watch a Dance Performance: Look online for videos of traditional dances from different regions. Notice the differences in the moves, the body paint, and the instruments. Talk about what the dance might be trying to tell – a story of a hunt? A celebration?
- Yoga with a Twist: Some organisations offer yoga that weaves in Indigenous storytelling and connection to the land. It’s a wonderfully gentle way to combine mindfulness with cultural learning
8. The Sorry Day Bridge Walk (in Miniature)
The day before Reconciliation Week starts is National Sorry Day. This is a heavy topic, but a crucial one.
A Walk for Understanding
The first Bridge Walk in 2000 saw over 250,000 people walk across the Sydney Harbour Bridge to show their support for reconciliation. It was a massive moment.
- Create Your Own “Bridge Walk”: This doesn’t need to be complicated. It could be walking across a local pedestrian bridge, or even just a path you draw with chalk in the playground or backyard
- Write Your Message: Before the walk, have the kids write or draw a message of support on a piece of paper. It could be a message of apology, a hope for the future, or a simple drawing of friendship
- The Walk and Share: As they walk across your “bridge,” they can hold their messages. At the end, you can create a “Message Stick” by taping all the messages to a long stick or branch. It’s a powerful visual representation of collective support
9. Investigate the Mabo Decision
Okay, this sounds super heavy for kids, right? But hear me out. The story of Eddie Mabo is one of the most inspiring underdog stories in Australian history. It’s a real-life David and Goliath tale.
The Man Who Changed the Law
Break it down simply:
- Explain that a long time ago, the law said that Australia was “empty” (terra nullius) before the British came. It didn’t recognise that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples had owned and cared for the land for tens of thousands of years
- Tell them about Eddie Mabo, a Torres Strait Islander man from Mer Island. He didn’t think that was right, so he took a case all the way to the High Court of Australia
- After ten long years of fighting, he won! In 1992, the High Court finally said, “You know what? The land wasn’t empty. Indigenous peoples did own it”
This story is about persistence, justice, and standing up for what’s right. For older primary kids, this can spark a great discussion about fairness and what it means to fight for a cause you believe in. You can find child-friendly explainer videos online that do a fantastic job of telling this story. Bold Thought: It shows kids that one person can make a difference, even against the biggest system of all.
10. Connect with Your Local Land Council or Aboriginal Corporation
This is the ultimate step. Everything else we’ve talked about is a stepping stone to this: building a real relationship with the local Indigenous community.
Go Straight to the Source
Most areas have a Local Aboriginal Land Council (LALC) or an Aboriginal corporation. They are often incredibly busy and under-resourced, so be respectful of their time, but reaching out can lead to amazing opportunities.
- Invite a Speaker: See if a local Elder or community member is available to come and speak to your class or group. There is simply no substitute for hearing a real person share their story and their culture
- Ask About Events: Many LALCs host their own events during Reconciliation Week. Attending one as a family or class is a powerful show of support
- Support Their Work: Sometimes the best way to connect is to support what they’re doing. Do they have a fundraiser? A community garden day? Show up, lend a hand, and listen
This moves the learning from being about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to being with them. And that, my friend, is what reconciliation is all about.
So there you have it. Ten ideas to get you started. Don’t feel like you have to do them all. Pick one or two that resonate with you and your kids. The most important thing is to start the conversation, to listen, and to approach it all with an open heart.
Reconciliation Week isn’t about getting it perfect. It’s about making the effort, showing up, and teaching the next generation that understanding and respect are actions, not just words.
Now get out there and have some meaningful fun! And if one of your activities goes horribly wrong (like our bush tucker fail), drop me a comment and let me know. It’s all part of the journey. 🙂
Happy Reconciliation Week!
