Students, teachers, and volunteers all play a part in bringing Children’s University to life. Whether you want to inspire young learners, support education beyond the classroom, or make a difference in your community, there’s a way for you to get involved.
Be Part of the Story: How You Can Get Involved
Participants & Families: Start Your CU Adventure here
Our program offers a variety of fun, flexible activities for children aged 5–14 that fit around school hours - before school, at lunch, after school, or during holidays. Best of all, participation is voluntary, so your child can choose activities that interest them, at their own pace. These experiences are designed to connect with subjects they might study later at university.
Look for the Children’s University Learning Destination stickers in local businesses and venues - these are the places offering engaging learning experiences approved by the Children’s University validation framework. Your child will take their Passport to Learning to collect stamps after each activity, tracking the hours they spend exploring new topics. The more activities they complete, the closer they get to earning their graduation certificate.
When they’ve accumulated enough hours, your child will celebrate their achievements at a special graduation ceremony, complete with cap and gown - just like real university students!
Partnering with Schools to Inspire Possibility
At Children’s University, we believe that learning doesn’t just happen in the classroom. Our program recognises and rewards children aged 5–18 for taking part in fun, educational activities outside of school hours. The goal? To spark a love of learning that can shape their future and open up new career possibilities. We know that children and young people can only aspire to what they know exists. That’s why Children’s University connects learning to the real world, helping students explore future pathways through hands-on experiences in their own communities.
How does it work?
We partner with local Learning Destinations - such as museums, libraries, theatres, sports groups, and school clubs to offer high-quality, educational activities beyond school hours. Each activity is designed to:
- Be engaging and age-appropriate
- Build confidence, curiosity, and self-belief
- Connect to higher education subjects and career fields
For example, a gardening club might link to botany, food science, or microbiology, helping students see how everyday experiences can relate to real university courses.
All learning is tracked in a Passport to Learning (ages 5–14), where students log hours and collect stamps. When they reach their learning milestones, they’re invited to a graduation ceremony at a partner university, complete with cap, gown, and certificate.
Older students (15–18) receive a Passport to Volunteering and are encouraged to stay involved by mentoring younger learners, supporting activities, and becoming inspiring role models in their community.
Who we support
Children’s University is committed to creating equitable access to enriching learning opportunities for all children, but especially those who may have fewer opportunities due to geography, social or economic barriers, or cultural factors. We work closely with schools and communities to ensure that children from all backgrounds can discover their potential, build confidence, and see themselves as lifelong learners. Children’s University champions educational equity by connecting children with meaningful, real-world learning that builds confidence, curiosity, and future pathways. We believe every child deserves inspiring learning opportunities. That’s why Children’s University partners with communities to create access for children who may otherwise be underrepresented in these enrichment programs. Independent evaluations consistently show that students involved in our program attend school more regularly, perform better academically, and develop greater confidence in their abilities. By exploring new interests and engaging in enriching activities, students begin to see learning in a more positive, exciting light, helping them build brighter futures.
Inspire a love of learning. Empower a brighter future.
By donating to Children’s University, you’re helping children and young people discover new possibilities - through fun, hands-on learning experiences that happen beyond the classroom.
Your generosity directly supports children who may face barriers to accessing these opportunities due to social, economic, cultural, or geographic challenges. With your help, we can ensure that more children from underrepresented communities take part in programs that build confidence, connection, and a belief in their own potential.
Funds raised go toward:
- Supporting participation for children who need it most.
- Providing materials, travel support, and learning resources.
- Expanding access to programs in regional and remote areas.
- Delivering inclusive, community-based learning experiences.
Every child deserves the chance to imagine who they could become. Together, we can make that possible.