The idea of celebrating the “Día del Niño” (Children’s Day) arose on November 20, 1959, when the UN General Assembly held a meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, in which it decided to reaffirm the rights of children universally.
Although the world celebration is on November 20, each country has chosen a special day to celebrate and organize activities, in order to help develop the well-being of children around the world.
In Mexico on April 30, 1924, Día del Niño was created by Mexico’s President General Álvaro Obregón and Minister of Public Education, José Vasconcelos.
In Mexico, it is customary to give gifts to children and toys are distributed to the most needy populations.
Throughout the country cultural and entertainment activities are organized as well as artistic events to promote the well-being and rights of children.
Each city has different activities to celebrate and year after year you will have at least a dozen options to take your children to have a good time.
But how many times has the responsibility of being an adult made you forget that we deserve a little fun too? This April 30, Día del Niño, is the perfect time to remind ourselves to let our inner-child have fun, and there is no place better to do that than Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
If you feel like refreshing yourself in the pool, take an afternoon to play at Puerto Vallarta’s waterpark, Aguaventuras Park. You are never too old for a water slide!
Another great way to enjoy your newfound childhood is to hangout with friends on a chartered Yacht in the Bay of Banderas and take in some snorkeling.
In the evening, relive your childhood on the Marigalante pirate ship with an incredible show and food.
Of course there is plenty of opportunities to let your inner-child play on dry land in Puerto Vallarta, like a zipline at Nogalito Eco Park where you can travel above the trees for 2,000 meters.
Or try some of these 10 suggestions for letting your inner-child out, recommended by mindbodygreen.com
- Shake your booty. Crank up some rockin’ jams and dance your heart out (so what if the neighbor thinks you’ve lost your mind?).
- Forget walking; start skipping. Do it once in a crowded sidewalk and you’ll feel a little lighter after that.
- Be needy, for a change. Take a break from being so self-sufficient and independent and tell someone how much you can’t live without them.
- Clap your hands. Get really enthusiastic about the smallest and simplest pleasures.
- Ask the crazy questions. An inquisitive and curious mind nurtures the soul and encourages the flow of creativity.
- Believe in Santa Claus and Unicorns. Piggyback off a child’s undeniable and unshakable faith. Believe in the magic of the unseeable.
- Hug it out. A physical touch can transcend unspoken words of love, care, and the human connection.
- Laugh it out loud, from the gut. A deep, hearty belly laugh keeps the heart light and is always accompanied with a big smile.
- Mind your manners. Say “please” and “thank you”. The simplest acts of politeness can warm a stranger’s heart.
- Dream beyond your wildest dreams. Let your childlike imagination run wild and give yourself the chance to achieve something great.
No matter how you choose to celebrate Día del Niño as an adult, take time to reflect on what the day represents, the eight fundamental rights of children by the General Law on the Rights of Girls, Boys and Adolescents.
Right to life : Every child has the right to live. This means that every child has the right not to be killed, to survive and to grow in optimal conditions.
Right to education : Every child has the right to receive an education, to enjoy a social life and to build their own future. This right is essential for its economic, social and cultural development.
Right to food : Every child has the right to eat, not to go hungry and not suffer from malnutrition. However, every five seconds a child dies of hunger in the world.
Right to health : Children should be protected from diseases. They must be allowed to grow up and become healthy adults, this contributes in the same way to the development of a more active and dynamic society.
Right to water : Children have the right to access quality drinking water and treated in the right sanitary conditions. The right to water is essential for their health and development.
Right to identity : Every child has the right to have a first and last name, a nationality and to know who their parents are. The right to identity represents the official recognition of their existence and their rights.
Right to freedom : Children have the right to express themselves, to have opinions, to access information and to participate in the decisions that affect them. Children have the right to freedom of religion.
Right to protection : Children have the right to live in a safe and protected environment that preserves their well-being. Every child has the right to be protected from any form of abuse, discrimination and exploitation.
