6 Ideas to Help Kids Learn About and Stand in Solidarity with Palestine

As parents and educators, many of us feel a deep conflict right now. We want to guide children to stand with the Palestinian people and take meaningful action for justice, but we also don't want to burden them with the full weight of the genocide. At the same time, we hold the heartbreaking truth that while most kids in Australia are safe, with lots to eat and a roof over their heads, Palestinian children are being denied those very same rights at an unprecedented scale.

This tension is real and it can feel paralysing. Supporting kids through it does not mean shielding them from everything, nor does it mean exposing them to more than they can handle. It means giving them language to talk about fairness, space to feel empathy, and meaningful ways to show solidarity. It also means helping them understand that ending the genocide will require all of us to act together, including children, parents, families, educators, and communities. In doing so, we nurture both compassion and courage, helping children see that justice is not only a value we believe in but a practice we live.

Below are six meaningful ways to help kids stand in solidarity with Palestine. Every child is different, and you know the children in your life best. Please adapt these resources and actions to their ages, personalities, and needs. What feels engaging for one child might feel overwhelming for another, so use your judgment about what to share and how.

1. Talk About Palestine

Begin by inviting your child to share what they love about the town or city they live in, perhaps their favourite park, their basketball team, or the meals you enjoy together. From there, talk about what every child in the world deserves: clean water, nourishing food, a safe home, time to play, and an education. Gently explain that not all children have access to these things, including many children in Gaza. Rethinking Schools has put together this really great resource to help guide your conversations if you're feeling unsure about how to approach it.

2. Centre Palestinian Stories

Read children’s books or watch short films created by and with Palestinians that highlight daily life, joy, and resilience. This reminds kids that beyond the headlines are real people who laugh, play, learn, and dream, just like them. Storytelling is one of the most powerful ways to nurture empathy and to ensure kids understand our shared humanity.

• Teach for Palestine has a lot of interesting resources for you to explore.

• Read some letters written by Palestinian children and other children across the world that reflect on their rights and share their priorities and dreams.

• Watch cooking videos by Renad, an 11 year old in Gaza who shares recipes that use the limited ingredients available in Gaza.

• BTN has created a short video about Gaza kids.

• Social Justice Books has put together this list of children's books.

• Watch this award-winning short animation called I Am From Palestine.

3. Creative Acts of Solidarity

Invite kids to create banners, posters, or peace flags that call for freedom and safety for Palestinian children. Investigate the various symbols of resistance used by the Palestinian people, such as the watermelon, key, olive branch, keffiyeh, or the flag, and encourage kids to incorporate them into their designs. Share whatever you make at local vigils, rallies, or on your windows at home or school. Children learn that their voices matter when they see art and words making a public impact. If your child loves colouring in, check out this printable colouring book for kids created by Palestinians.

4. Write for Justice

Encourage children to write a letter to their local MP, community group, or their school asking them to call for a ceasefire and greater action to end the genocide. Make it personal by allowing kids to include their own words, drawings or decorations. Letters from children are incredibly powerful and can leave a lasting impression on the people who receive them. They are also a great way to show children the power of their words.

5. Host a Fundraiser

When I work with children on social and environmental justice projects, they almost always want to run a fundraiser. Support the kids in your life to organise something simple like a bake sale, walkathon, or lemonade stand, and donate the proceeds to an organisation or mutual aid effort providing direct relief to Palestinians. Taking part in a fundraiser helps children see that we all share a responsibility to care for one another in whatever ways we can.

6. Learn About and Make Ethical Choices

Talk to your child about how the things we buy can support justice or injustice around the world. Together, identify products or companies that contribute to the oppression of Palestinians and discuss alternatives that align with fairness and human rights. You can create a simple plan for your family to avoid certain products or choose ones that support ethical practices. For example, instead of a trip to McDonald's, think about visiting a local family-owned restaurant instead. You can also check out this list of Palestinian businesses in Australia and support them where you can. This helps kids to understand that even everyday choices can be acts of solidarity, and that their actions, big or small, matter.

What have you done with the children in your life to support Palestinians and end the genocide? Let me know in the comments below.