Raising activists: How to take kids to a protest

Today more than ever, we need to raise our kids to be world-changers. For us, that means we are committing to take kids to a protest, even if it’s not always convenient. That also means we’re raising our girls to be nasty women—a title I wear with pride.

The night before I took Peeper and Kiwi to their first demonstration, I didn’t know what to expect. But I wanted to prepare, so I asked some friends and activist parents I know how to take kids to a protest.

I followed their advice, and I’m happy to report our family activism went great! Both Peeper and Kiwi did great at the protest, and I put into action all the wonderful tips I got.

Now is the perfect time to learn more about how to take kids to a protest. After all, there are a ton of marches and demonstrations nationwide that match up with the inauguration of President-Elect Donald Trump. (You don’t have to go to Washington, D.C. for the big march; here’s an article to find an inauguration protest near you.)

If you’re bringing your kids, here’s how to ensure your mini activists stay safe and happy.

Want to raise your kids to be activists? Here's how to take kids to a protest or political march. Ten Thousand Hour Mama

Keep kids close. I carried both Peeper and Kiwi in carriers because I felt more comfortable having them attached to me on a crowd. A stroller would make sure they stayed nearby and didn’t get lost, too.

Stock snacks. Family activism is hard work, and you’ll be there for at least an hour. Bring enough finger foods to satisfy munchkin munchies.

Consider ear gear. Protests are loud by design, but little ears are especially sensitive to noise. Look into protective head phones to block out the noise.

Peeper was scared at first of the chanting but once she donned her head phones, she enjoyed herself—and even joined in the chants.

How to embrace family activism and take kids to a protest. Ten Thousand Hour Mama

Talk about the cause. It can be hard to translate big issues into kid-friendly language; after all, the electoral college is much less relevant to a preschooler than Wikki Stix. But making the issues relevant to your kids will help them connect with the demonstration—and will help them grow into activists.

When I recently took the girls to a demonstration protesting Donald Trump’s treatment of women and women’s issues, I explained that everyone was showing how it’s not ok to treat girls differently than boys, and how no one else can do something to your body without your permission. Clearly my synopsis was simplistic, but I think it made sense to Peeper’s developing sense of fairness and autonomy.

Make signs together. Get your kids involved in crafting protest signs.

Bring it home. Think of how you can make family activism a part of your everyday life. You can display the signs you made at home, play march, volunteer, read books about social justice and apply principles of human rights to situations your kids face at school or on the playground.

Don’t sweat an early exit. There’s no penalty for leaving before the last chant has been chanted. Follow your kids’ cues and leave before meltdowns.


Even though it can be hard to go to a protest as a family, remember that you are involving your kids in a cause important to you.

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12 thoughts on “Raising activists: How to take kids to a protest

  • January 17, 2017 at 11:17 am
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    This is perfect timing! I’ve been debating taking my boys with me to Saturday’s march. I’m nervous based on how the post election days turned out in Portland. My fear is that it may turn violent again. So if I bring them my plan is to make sure we’re not near the bulk of the crowds, and that we have an easy escape route. I may be over thinking this all??? But I’ve never brought my kids to any kind of protest or march, so just feeling a little nervous. These are all useful tips!

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    • January 17, 2017 at 1:39 pm
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      Mary, you are not overthinking it. (I don’t think overthinking it is possible when it involves the safety of your kids!)

      I agree that being at the edge of the crowd—not the center—is safer regardless if there is any violence or not. (And man, I hope everything stays peaceful like it’s meant to.) Also, trust your gut. If you start to get uncomfortable, high tail it out of there. Your intuition will tell you something is wrong long before your rational brain recognizes why.

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  • January 17, 2017 at 11:23 am
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    I think it is so important to bring issues that are important to you to the kids level and into the home. I love those tips and appreciate how you phrased the reason for the protest in a kid friendly way. I hope to share that with my boys.

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    • January 17, 2017 at 1:43 pm
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      I’m still working out good ways to talk to my kids about difficult things in a way they’ll understand. If you work out any phrases or ways to approach the conversation, let me know—I’d love to hear!

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  • January 17, 2017 at 11:34 am
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    Good for you Catherine! It’s so important to show kids that they should stand up for what they believe in and not to shy away from what is right. They learn by example and you my friend, are an amazing Mom 🙂

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    • January 17, 2017 at 1:42 pm
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      Thank you Lisa! I’m tired of people saying, “Hillary lost, get over it and teach your kids to lose gracefully.” If we all threw up our arms to wait four years, we’d lose a lot more than the election.

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  • January 17, 2017 at 11:39 am
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    you are such a cool mom, catherine! i love that you are so committed to raising your girls to share your values. totally inspiring!

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    • January 17, 2017 at 1:41 pm
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      Thank you Mel! I am more motivated than ever after the craziness of the last year.

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  • January 17, 2017 at 11:40 am
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    What an informative post – My dad once brought us to a protest when we were younger and I still remember it to this day. It can definitely make a big impact in a little one’s life…

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    • January 17, 2017 at 1:41 pm
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      Wow, that is so cool. I never went to protests as a kid, so it’s fascinating to hear the early experience stuck with you. Thank you for sharing, Erin!

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  • January 17, 2017 at 4:15 pm
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    You girls are brave! I think kids make an extra big difference at protests!

    Reply

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