Children's Day in 2025

When is Children's Day?

Known as Boy's Day until 1975, Children's Day (orini nal) is a South Korean national holiday celebrated on May 5th each year.

History of Children's Day

It was founded by the Korean children's writer Pang Chong-hwan in 1923 as a way to instil in the children a sense of independence and national pride. It was designated as a national holiday in 1975.

Children's Day highlights the dignity of children and their need for love, care, and respect. It is also a day to honour adults that have contributed to improving the lives of children.

Children of all ages are celebrated during Children's Day and the entire community is involved in the festivity.

Many cities have parades and public activities and museums, zoos, amusement parks, and movie theatres offer free admission to children.

Traditional games, such as yut are played. Gifts are given to children from their parents and from stores that the children visit during Children's Day.

Tae kwon do demonstrations are often part of the Children's Day activities. Tae kwon do is a form of self-defence that originated in Korea more than two thousand years ago. It involves more sharp, quick kicking than the Japanese style karate and is both a physical and mental discipline.