Fort Simpson (Nov 24/06) - Being a child seems to be a pretty good deal.

An additional perk to being young was given to children in Fort Simpson on Nov. 20 when the second annual National Child Day celebration was held.

The gym in the Recreation Centre filled up with approximately 100 children who celebrated having a day of their own.

Hannah and Isaac Isaiah share supplies to make a craft designed to help them express themselves during the National Child Day celebration in Fort Simpson. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Children took advantage of activities including having your fingerprints taken, a cakewalk where books were given as prizes, a hugging booth, a floor hockey game, a craft table and a cookie-decorating station. The inflatable jumping mat was also a huge hit after a few parents pitched in to get it working.

"The whole party was the best part," said seven-year-old Hannah Isaiah.

Sitting at the craft table, Ashley Burwash said having a chance to paint was her favourite part of the party.

Thinking about children in other parts of the world, Burwash, 9, said every child should have the right to have a family.

"Children should have a warm house to sleep in and food and water," said Tia Hardisty.

Hardisty, 9, said decorating sugar cookies was her favourite part of the party.

After thinking for a moment, Julia dePelham, 12, decided that all children should be able to have fun. She helped out during the party by looking after the popcorn and the cookie decorating table.

"It was a good party," said dePelham.

The celebration this year was bigger and better than the first one, said Val Gendron the coordinator with the Open Doors Society.

"I think it was excellent," she said. "People seemed to be having fun."

The celebration was a joint effort by a number of organizations in the community including the Deh Cho Friendship Centre, Open Doors Society, Bompas elementary school, Liidlii Kue First Nation, Deh Cho Health and Social Services, the RCMP, the recreation department, Kids Corner Daycare and the Pre-natal Nutritional program.

The theme of this year's National Child Day was the right to be heard, said Gendron. The theme was followed in the party.

"The goal was to increase awareness of children's rights and to celebrate the value of children," Gendron said.

Around the party children were making themselves hear in a variety of ways.

Posters and art done by children were hung around the gym.

Some posters entitled "I feel safe when" included answer such as, "when I'm with my dog" and "when I'm being cared for by my foster family."

One poster included the answers the kindergarten class gave to why they like to be a kid.

Answers included "so you don't have to be mad and swear all the time", "you don't have to cook and clean all the time" and because "you can have parties."

Children finished off this party with a piece of cake and by getting a balloon to take home with them.