TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) -- The annual Children's Week is well underway in the Capital City.
"Children's Week provides a platform for advocates of children and family issues to come together for a week at the Florida Capitol and deliver the message to legislators that Florida children deserve to be healthy, educated and given the opportunity to reach their full potential," said Jason Zaborske, Children's Week Statewide Coordinator.
Festivities started Sunday, with the hanging of the hands.
Thousands of decorated hand artwork from kids around the state are on display in the Capitol Rotunda, to "remind policymakers to 'give a hand' to Florida’s children.
The hands will be up through Friday, January 29. You can also take part online by sharing photos of kids' hand art using #GiveUsAHand.
Tuesday, January 26 is Children’s Capitol for a Day, and there are several events to celebrate.
Organizers say one of the most popular is the Early Learning Coalition of the Big Bend's Storybook Village, where more than two dozen favorite children's stories will come to life as volunteers create a "village" of interactive reading booths with activities for children to explore. Kids who take part all get a free copy of the book Where the Wild Things Are.
The Storybrook Village and other exhibits will all be at the State Capitol Courtyard from 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Tuesday. It's open to the public.
For the more mature crowd, there's the "Teens Only Town Hall." It's a forum for students from all across the state to work with Florida's Children and Youth Cabinet to address important issues relating to children’s services. It's set to take place from 10:30 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. inside the Governor’s Cabinet Room. The town hall will be live streamed here.
There's a celebration of VPK's 10th anniversary. The ceremony is scheduled for Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. on the back steps of the Old Capitol.
Tuesday also offers a special workshop for middle and high schoolers. "Today's Youth: Tomorrow's Leaders" starts a dialogue about youth and politics, and what needs to happen to spark their civic engagement. The workshop is from 1 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. at City Hall.
For more information, call (850) 222-3868 or click here.
