Scottish Children’s Health Week returns on 7–13 September 2026, and this year’s celebration is extra special — we’re turning 50! For five decades, We have defended the health, rights and wellbeing of children and young people, putting their voices at the heart of everything we do. From our earliest days in 1976 right through to today, we’ve been proud to support children, families, and communities across Scotland to understand their rights and enjoy the best possible health.
To mark our golden anniversary, we’re bringing you one of our most exciting Activity Books yet — packed with creativity, kindness, wellbeing, adventure, and rights-based learning, co‑created with some incredible national partners who are just as passionate about children’s health as we are.
Today, we’re thrilled to announce the organisations who have joined us for Scottish Children’s Health Week 2026. Each partner has created a unique activity that celebrates play, wellbeing, imagination, and children’s rights. Here’s what families, schools, hospitals, and community groups can look forward to this September:
🌟 Meet Our 2026 Partners and Their Brilliant Activities
🐾 Dogs Trust – How to Greet a Dog
A fun, practical activity teaching children how to stay safe and confident around dogs — and how to understand our four‑legged friends a little better.
💛 Calum’s Cabin – Make Your Own Kindness Card
Big hearts, small gestures. This uplifting activity helps children spread joy by creating thoughtful kindness cards for people they care about.
🐯 Edinburgh Zoo – Wild Challenge
Children can step into the role of wildlife explorers with 30 days of wild, nature‑themed activities that encourage curiosity, play, and outdoor discovery.
🦸 Team Jak – Design Your Own Superhero
A creative and empowering activity that helps children explore their strengths by imagining their own superhero identity, cape, powers, and all.
⭐ Teapot Trust – Star Breathing
A calming, art‑based wellbeing activity teaching children how star breathing can help them pause, relax, and feel more in control.
🎁 Barnardo’s Scotland – Make a Kindness Jar
Children can create their own happiness jar by collecting daily memories, happy thoughts, and positive moments — a beautiful keepsake of joy.
🤝 Children & Young People’s Commissioner Scotland – Be Friendly Wordsearch
A playful puzzle all about friendship, connection, and kindness, reminding children of their right to join groups and meet friends.
🌱 Play Scotland – Nurtured
An activity inspired by the SHANARRI wellbeing indicators, encouraging nurturing relationships, creativity, and positive play at home or school.
✨ Parent Club Scotland – Kindness Fortune Teller
A nostalgic favourite with a wellbeing twist — this paper fortune teller helps children spread kindness with fun “missions” hidden inside every flap.
🎉 A Golden Celebration of Health, Play and Rights
This year’s Activity Book and all the #BeActive, #BeBrave, #BeCalm, #BeFriendly and #BeKind themes shine even brighter as we celebrate 50 years of supporting children’s health rights in Scotland.
Across the week, families, schools and services can enjoy:
- creative wellbeing activities
- playful learning
- resources inspired by the My Health, My Rights Charter
- opportunities to reflect on what it means to grow up feeling heard, safe and supported
- and of course, the Scottish Children’s Health Awards 2026, honouring the heroes who make a difference in children’s lives. Yes you have time to make a nomination today, just CLICK HERE.
📅 Save the Date: 7–13 September 2026
Mark your calendars, set your reminders, and get ready to celebrate with us! Scottish Children’s Health Week is for everyone — children, young people, families, carers, schools, hospitals and communities across Scotland. Whether you take part in one activity or all of them, we can’t wait to have you join us for this extra‑special golden anniversary celebration.
✨ Download the Activity Book, share your creations using #myhealthmyrights and #bemorebear, and celebrate 50 years of Children’s Health Scotland with us this September!
