How do children have their say in your club? 

Children’s participation is about more than asking children what they would like to do. It’s about ensuring their voices are heard, their ideas are valued, and they have meaningful opportunities to influence decisions that affect their experiences. 

Article 12 of the UNCRC recognises children’s right to express their views and have those views listened to and taken seriously. 

This Week’s Challenge 

Try a new way to gather children’s views and ideas in your club! 

• Graffiti Wall – Children can write, draw or doodle their thoughts and ideas. 

• Dot Voting – Vote on activities, resources or club improvements using stickers. 

• Club Captains – Children gather ideas and share them with the group. 

• Suggestion Station – A space for anonymous ideas, thoughts or concerns. 

• Talking Circle – Informal discussions about what children enjoy and what they would like to change. 

• Photo Voice – Children photograph favourite spaces and explain why they matter. 

• Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down – A simple way for younger children to share their views. 

• Design Your Dream Club – Draw, build or create a model of an ideal club environment. 

Not every child feels comfortable sharing their views verbally. Offering different ways to communicate helps ensure more children have the opportunity to be heard. Remember, choosing not to participate is also a valid choice. 

You Said, We Did! 

Don’t forget to close the feedback loop. Let children know which suggestions have been acted upon, which ideas may take longer, and why some may not be possible. 

When children see that their views can make a difference, they feel valued, respected and involved in their club community. 

The challenge isn’t just to ask children what they think – it’s to show them that their voices matter.