The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) places culture, play, and creative expression at the core of children’s well-being and development, recognising them as fundamental components of childhood. Article 31 states that:

States Parties recognize the right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts.

This provision affirms that participation in cultural life and the arts is not ancillary, but an essential right that supports children’s physical, emotional, social, and cognitive development. Article 31 also implies a duty for States to respect and promote opportunities for play, recreation, and cultural expression, taking into account children’s evolving capacities and cultural contexts. Within this framework, culture and creativity are understood as key spaces for learning, identity formation, and social inclusion, and as fundamental means through which children actively engage with their communities and transmit cultural values across generations.