For 17 years, Children's Week at the Capitol has been the only broad-based promotion of children and family issues in Florida. A true grassroots event since its inception, Children's Week is supported by more than 100 non-profit, corporate, philanthropic, faith-based, state agencies and organizations. Children's Week develops and implements more than 200 community events and activities statewide, bringing thousands of parents, children, policy makers, professionals, community leaders and concerned citizens together to share valuable knowledge and information about children's issues in each community across the state and at the State Capitol. The goal of this annual event is to help strengthen Florida's families by sharing a commitment to improve our communities through events and outreach efforts aimed at promoting the health, safety and well-being of our children.
Children's Capitol for a Day
Every year, during the hustle and bustle of Florida's State Legislative Session, the Capitol Rotunda and Courtyard are ascended upon by masses of school children and their teachers, parents and caregivers from around the state in celebration of Children's Capitol for a Day. Participants enjoy a variety of educational and interactive events and activities, including games hosted by non-profit organizations, storytimes with legislators and a free healthy boxed lunch. A highlight of the day is the opportunity to admire the breathtaking image of over 100,000 decorated paper handprints created by our state's children and strung up all around the Rotunda. Many schools bring their students to the event on a field trip, which includes a tour of the Capitol and meetings with policy makers to learn about the legislative process.
Hanging of the Hands
More than 100,000 paper cut-outs of children's hands decorated by children and their teachers are collected at child care centers and schools across the state and are hung throughout the Capitol Rotunda creating an amazing display of children's art.
The hands remain in the Capitol Rotunda the entire week as a reminder to legislators and advocates that we must take care of our most precious commodity our children. Schools, child care centers and individuals from across the state have been submitting hands to hang at the Capitol for many years, and everyone is encouraged to participate in this time-honored tradition.
