Kiddipedia
If you had a time machine and could travel back to your childhood to show your children how we used to celebrate Australia Day, what would you find to be the most exciting for them to experience?
Would it be the smell of the BBQ in the backyard, holding a sausage smacked in the middle of soft white bread with tomato sauce? Seeing your Mums Pavolva on the table, sitting next to the lamingtons, and just below on the ground the esky full of soft drinks, cordial and beer for the grown-ups. Eating Watermelon slices barefoot outside, while your feet burned on the hot concrete, while you played cricket (girls included too, everyone wanted in on the fun!).
Never realising how sunburnt you were, because you were too busy having fun.
Aussie rock countdowns played loudly with INXS, Cold Chisel, Midnight Oil, and AC/DC blaring from the radio, and when you came inside, the sound of Richie Benaud’s iconic voice commentating on the cricket on TV, while “I Still Call Australia Home” Qantas ads ran in between the broadcast. Supermarkets once had aisles packed with Australia Day items, which are less common today and local shops were decorated in green and gold. Limited-edition packaging on plates, cups, napkins, balloons, and food products. Flag-themed hats, sunglasses, and inflatable kangaroos adorned store shelves.
Yes, that is what Australia Day always looked like, BBQ’s, our flag, our anthem, being outside in the sun, beaches, mateship… THAT feeling. That carefree, bright, summer-day joy.
For many of us parents, these memories are real, warm, and meaningful, and it’s natural, as traditions have evolved, and the way people experience and choose to celebrate has changed, reflecting a more inclusive and thoughtful approach to the day for some families may feel a sense of loss or nostalgia, that your children may not experience the day just as you once did.
Despite all these changes, if you still choose to show your appreciation for being able to live in the most incredible country on the planet, sharing this with your children, while understanding why things felt iconic then, and why conversations have changed now, can help bridge the gap between our childhood experiences and the questions our children are asking today.
Having the Conversation with Your Kids
In a quiet moment, if you feel the need to have the conversation with your children about how and why many Australians don’t celebrate Australia Day in the same way anymore, or choose to mark it differently, here are a few conversation starters, guidance, and questions that may help you out:
1. Start with stories and nostalgia
“When I was your age, Australia Day looked like this…”
Share your childhood memories, the backyard BBQs, the cricket, the sticky watermelon slices, the sounds of Aussie rock blaring from the radio, and the excitement of seeing supermarket aisles full of flags, balloons, and green-and-gold everything. Let your child picture it alongside you. This helps them connect with the warm, joyful feelings you associate with the day.
Questions parents can ask:
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“What would you most like to try from the Australia Day I remember?”
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“Which sounds or songs do you think would make the day fun?”
2. Introduce multiple perspectives
“But not everyone experiences Australia Day the same way. For many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, January 26 is a very different day.”
This date marks the arrival of the First Fleet in 1788, which began British settlement in Australia and brought profound changes to the land, cultures, and communities of First Nations peoples. Colonisation led to loss of land, disruption of cultural practices, the displacement of many communities, and policies that affected generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. It is a day of deep historical significance, and for many Indigenous Australians, it is experienced as a day of reflection, mourning, or remembrance, rather than celebration.
Expanded guidance for parents:
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Primary school children (ages 6–12):
“Some people feel sad on January 26 because it marks a time when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples had to give up their land and ways of living. That’s why some families celebrate differently, or choose to take time to reflect instead of having a party. Learning about this helps us be kind and respectful to everyone.”
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High school children (ages 13–18):
“The arrival of the First Fleet marked a period of enormous change for First Nations peoples, including loss of land, language, culture, and autonomy. Many Indigenous Australians see January 26 as a day to reflect on these experiences, to remember survival and resilience, and to educate others about what happened. Understanding this perspective helps us see that history has multiple sides, and respecting those experiences is part of being thoughtful and empathetic citizens.”
Additional context to share:
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have lived on the continent for tens of thousands of years with rich cultures, laws, and languages.
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Colonisation brought conflict, disease, and displacement, deeply affecting communities.
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Schools now include this history in the Australian Curriculum, teaching children about multiple perspectives and the significance of the date.
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Some Australians celebrate January 26 traditionally, while others choose alternative ways to mark the day, such as learning about First Nations cultures, participating in NAIDOC Week events, or reflecting quietly on history.
Questions parents can ask:
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“How do you think it would feel to experience January 26 from a different perspective?”
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“Why do you think some people choose to celebrate in a different way?”
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“What does it mean to show respect for other people’s feelings about history?”
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“How do you think learning about history from different perspectives can help us understand our country better?”
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“Can you think of ways we could celebrate Australia while still respecting other people’s experiences?”
3. Explore feelings together
“How do you feel hearing about the different ways people see this day?”
Encourage children to share their thoughts and emotions. Ask them what they think and feel, and validate their responses. This helps them develop empathy and emotional intelligence, while understanding that history and celebrations affect people differently.
Questions parents can ask:
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“Which part of the story made you feel happy, and which part made you feel sad or thoughtful?”
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“Have you ever felt differently about a holiday or celebration than someone else?”
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“Why is it important to listen to how other people feel?”
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“How do you think we can include everyone in our celebrations?”
4. Compare “then and now”
“Back then, supermarkets were overflowing with Australia Day merchandise, and local shops decorated in green and gold. Today, you might notice fewer flags, balloons, and themed products, and families often celebrate in quieter or different ways.”
This helps children notice cultural change and understand that traditions evolve over time without losing their meaning. It also opens a natural conversation about how society and awareness of history shift across generations.
Questions parents can ask:
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“Why do you think some traditions change over time?”
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“Which parts of the old celebrations would you like to keep?”
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“What new ways could we celebrate that everyone can enjoy?”
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“How do you think children in the future will celebrate this day?”
5. Emphasise respect and learning
“Even if we remember Australia Day a certain way, it’s important to respect how others feel about it. We can still enjoy summer, family time, and the things we love about our country, while being aware that others experience the day differently.”
Reinforce that learning about history and listening to other perspectives is a valuable life skill, not a critique of childhood memories or traditions.
Questions parents can ask:
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“Why is it important to respect other people’s experiences?”
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“How can we enjoy a celebration while being thoughtful about others?”
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“What are some ways we can learn from other people’s stories?”
6. Make it interactive and experiential
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Visit a local museum, cultural centre, or heritage site to learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history.
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Read books or watch age-appropriate documentaries together.
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Try a craft or activity that celebrates both the things you remember and the perspectives your children are learning today.
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Attend NAIDOC Week or Reconciliation Week events as a family, helping children connect what they’ve learned with real-world experiences.
Questions parents can ask:
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“What is the most interesting thing you learned from the museum or book?”
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“How does learning about other cultures help us understand our own?”
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“Which story or activity did you enjoy most today?”
7. Encourage ongoing dialogue
Remind your child that it’s okay for conversations about Australia Day to happen more than once. History, culture, and personal experiences can be revisited as they grow and understand more. You might say:
“Some things we’ll understand better when we’re older, and that’s okay. The important thing is that we always show great respect and appreciation for Indigenous Australians, their culture and history, and keep learning and listening to each other.”
Questions parents can ask:
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“What would you like to learn more about next time?”
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“Do you think your feelings about Australia Day might change as you grow older?”
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“How can we continue to have respectful conversations about history in our family?”
Final Thoughts
Talking about Australia Day with children doesn’t have to be complicated or uncomfortable. By sharing your memories, explaining history sensitively, and encouraging curiosity and empathy, you give your children the tools to understand the day in a way that is age-appropriate, thoughtful, and compassionate.
It’s okay for them to enjoy summer BBQs, beaches, and fireworks, just as it’s okay for them to learn that for some people, the day is experienced very differently. Balancing nostalgia with awareness teaches children that traditions can evolve, that history is complex, and that empathy is a key part of being Australian.
By bridging the past with the present, parents can turn what might feel like a tricky conversation into a meaningful learning experience, connecting the joy of childhood memories with a broader, inclusive understanding of Australia today.
