Children's mental health festival draws families to Seoul Grand Park

A festival where children laughed, ran freely and expressed their emotions naturally — while families explored the importance of mental health together — drew enthusiastic crowds at Seoul Children's Grand Park on Saturday.

The 2026 Seoul Children's Mental Health Festa was held at the park's open-air stage and surrounding grounds, with children and families taking part throughout the day. The event was organized around the theme "Today, I'm the star," with the aim of supporting the emotional well-being and healthy development of the next generation.

Organized by Herald Media Group and supported by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the Seoul Children's Future Bright Center, the Seoul Child Development Support Center, the Seoul Family Center and the Gwangjin-gu Child Care Support Center, the festival offered a range of programs designed to help children relieve stress and better understand their own emotions through play and hands-on activities.

The venue was divided into five zones — a stage performance area, an activity zone, a play zone, a rest area and an events zone. Children watched performances, took part in various activities and played with friends, while parents and caregivers joined in alongside their children, taking the opportunity to better understand and connect with them.

The day's program featured a range of performances, including the 2026 Seoul Children's Traditional Music and Folk Play Gathering and fusion gugak acts. Children enjoyed lively music and traditional games, experiencing Korean folk culture while sharing the festive atmosphere with their families.

The activity and play zones also drew steady participation. As children mingled with friends and tried new games, they found natural opportunities to express their feelings and build connections with others.

The programs were structured so that children were active participants rather than passive spectators, giving full expression to the event's theme of "Today, I'm the star."

Photo spots were set up throughout the venue, decorated in bright colors with clouds, rainbows, balloons and other cheerful motifs, and the sound of children's laughter filled the grounds.

The festival also aligned with child mental health initiatives the Seoul Metropolitan Government has been pursuing. Recognizing that children face stress from friendships, schoolwork, career concerns and online environments, the city has worked to identify mental health needs early and connect children with appropriate support. Through the Seoul Children's Bright Center, children can have their mental health assessed and, depending on the results, receive lifestyle support, wellness programs or referrals to specialist services.

The city has also been strengthening its child protection framework to support early identification of high-risk children, along with professional treatment, recovery and follow-up care. Starting in 2027, Seoul plans to expand the functions of its child welfare centers, reorganizing them into regional child protection hubs covering prevention, treatment, recovery and aftercare.

"It was great to be able to play with my child and naturally talk about what they were thinking and feeling," one parent who attended said. "It was an event where children could engage with the topic of mental health in a fun, age-appropriate way."

"Children's mental health isn't something to pay attention to only at certain times — it's an important part of their development that needs ongoing care," said one official who took part in the day's programs. "I hope this festa gave children, parents and the community a chance to think together about why mental health matters."

True to its slogan — "A festival where laughter grows and hearts expand" — the 2026 Seoul Children's Mental Health Festa wrapped up as a space where children were at the center of it all, laughing and playing freely while connecting with their families.

Seoul Metropolitan Council Member Kim Young-ok of the People Power Party, who represents Gwangjin District's third ward and attended the event, said creating an environment where children can laugh freely and express their emotions is essential.

"For children to grow up healthy, it is important to care for not only their physical health but their mental health as well," Kim said. "I hope today gives children a precious opportunity to run and laugh, understand one another and reflect on their own feelings."

"Children are not only people who need protection — they are full members of our society," she added. "It is the responsibility of adults to listen to children's voices and think about policy from their perspective."

Kim said creating an environment where children can grow up happily is an investment in Seoul's future, and pledged that the Seoul Metropolitan Council would closely monitor child welfare policy — including mental health — to ensure children can grow up safely and healthily.