Since 1998, over 200 cities, communities, schools, libraries, states, or organizations have passed resolutions declaring the day, including the U.S. Senate. The celebrations are for children of every culture and the words El Día del Niño have been translated into over a dozen languages. Today it is a commemorative U.S. holiday, and San Antonio continues to observe the day with attention to our youngest residents.
how to celebrate
día del niño Festival
A free cultural festival is held annually featuring nonprofit organizations, artists, and schools. Over 40 activities connect young people and their family with cultural traditions. Among these are games such as “Tira la Chancla” and Lotería; crafts including embroidery, making a hat, or an weaving an ojo de dios, binding a book, repujado, or painting a mural; plus science activities, ballet folklorico, and even robotic demonstrations from local schools. Activities are planned for all ages and the entire family.
Milagros
Milagritos are created with messages from young people. Written on small shapes of paper, each decorated “milagro” carries goals for the future and sometimes wishes for the present. The messages are displayed in different ways, but the overall exhibit becomes a powerful way to understand how young people think and feel. Milagros projects are held in schools, churches, libraries and at the festival.
Cultura Cards
Cultura Cards by Somos Cultura y Más bring Latino traditions to life with fun, hands-on activities families can do at home. Each card introduces a craft, game, or cultural experience inspired by our heritage, making learning both engaging and meaningful. Cards are downloadable from this web site and distributed at Día del Niño. Explore, create, and celebrate your roots—one Cultura Card at a time!
School Activities
Schools are invited to celebrate by making Milagros, studying the cultural and historic connection of Texas to Mexico including the contributions of Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín and other Texans to Cinco de Mayo or exploring the great works of San Antonians such as Jesse Trevino. Host your own celebration on April 30 using our downloadable Día del Niño Community Kit!
Children's Issues
A children's day is for celebrating, but it is also a day to reflect on the state of our children. We draw attention to the issues of our children with press events and public presentations about the things that impact children's lives. Data from the annual Kids Count Report is used to compare to the topics we learn about in our work. We encourage elected officials and community leaders to stand with us and make policy commitments to our children.
TEXAS KIDS COUNT REPORT FINDINGS
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Texas ranks 43rd among states for child wellbeing.
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1 of every 10 children in the U.S. lives in Texas.
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18% of children live in poverty, compared to the national rate of 16%.
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48% of Texas children are Hispanic/Latino.
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29% of Texas children are non-Hispanic White.
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12% of Texas children are Black.
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5% are Asian and 11% are of other groups.
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While poverty rates have improved for many children, Latinos and Blacks have disproportionately high poverty rates.
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9% of children under 6 lack health insurance
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For Hispanic children the uninsured rate is 15.9%, almost three times the national average.
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1.7 million children face food insecurity
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Only 49% of of Texas third graders meet grade level standards
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Only 41% of 4th graders meet grade level math standards.
Prepared by Every Texan
April 30 is Día del Niño, an international holiday recognizing the special role that young people play in our lives. In 1998, San Antonio became the first city in the United States to pass a resolution proclaiming Día de los Niños Celebrating Young Americans as a day for children. It was especially important for young Latinos, as this has been a holiday in Mexico since 1925, and our activities are designed to reinforce culture. Led by then City Councilman, now Senator José Menendez, the first national event was held at Main Plaza and City Hall and attended by representatives from throughout the U.S. They came to San Antonio to honor the young people of our country and learn how to organize their own festival. While national events are held in Washington, D.C., Chicago, El Paso, and other cities, San Antonio continues its own celebration.
DíA DEl NIñO
Celebrating Young Americans
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