This time on The Children’s Hour, the Kids Crew does a deep dive to learn about birthday traditions from around the world. Here in the United States, many kids can expect a birthday cake, candles, presents, and maybe even a party. But in some regions, like where The Children’s Hour is in the Southwest, we have even more to add to a birthday celebration.

Birthdays are something many kids look forward to every year. On this episode of The Children’s Hour, we celebrate everything about birthdays! From candles and cakes to songs, games, and traditions around the globe, our Kids Crew explores what makes a birthday special in different places and cultures. We also find out how birthday customs have changed over time, and where ideas like singing “Happy Birthday” or hitting a piñata came from.

You’ll hear about birthday traditions in places like Vietnam, where everyone celebrates on the same day during Tet; and in India, where kids wear new clothes and honor their parents. In Brazil, kids get their ears gently pulled—once for every year! In Egypt, birthday parties are full of flowers and even more than one cake. The Kids Crew also takes us to Denmark, where the whole neighborhood knows you’re celebrating because your family flies a flag outside your house!

Back in New Mexico, we talk about quinceañeras, where turning 15 is a big deal for girls in Mexican and Hispanic cultures. We also learn the history behind the birthday song and find out where the tradition of putting candles on cakes started. And we take time to remember kids who celebrate the day they were adopted. 

It’s our 7th birthday in August 2025 for The Children’s Hour as a nonprofit independent radio production company. Your charitable donation to our nonprofit is a great birthday present! Please consider making a donation in honor of our birthday.

This episode of The Children’s Hour was written and produced by Katie Stone, Executive Producer and Host with production support from Sarah Gabrielli and Thaniel Lentz.

The Children’s Hour is produced by The Children’s Hour Inc., distributed by Native Voice One, and supported by listeners like you. 

© 2025 The Children’s Hour Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Please note: not all songs we play can be found in Spotify.