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National Missing Children’s Day

Show your support for National Missing Children's Day - let's all come together and help reunite families and keep our children safe.

Tuesday

May 2027

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATEMay 25

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYAwareness

SUBCATEGORYYouth

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

May 25 marks the annual celebration of National Missing Children’s Day! This day was first established in 1983 by President Ronald Regan to honor and bring attention to missing children and their families. It's also a chance for us all to get together, support each other, remember those who are still missing, and celebrate everyone who has been reunited with their loved ones.

TIMELINE

National Missing Children’s Day Timeline

Etan Patz Disappearance

Six-year-old Etan Patz goes missing in New York, his case garnering nationwide attention and significantly raising awareness of missing children's issues.

Adam Walsh Case

The abduction and murder of 6-year-old Adam Walsh leads to reform in the way law enforcement handles cases of missing children.

First Missing Children’s Day

President Ronald Reagan proclaims May 25 as National Missing Children's Day in the United States.

Establishment of NCMEC

The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) is established to help find missing children, reduce child exploitation, and prevent child victimization.

Megan's Law

Megan's Law is passed, requiring law enforcement authorities to make information available to the public regarding registered sex offenders.

AMBER Alert System

The AMBER Alert System, a crucial tool for the immediate nationwide broadcast of information about missing children, was established in the United States.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Missing Children’s Day

Organize a fundraiser

Gather a group of people to help raise money for organizations that are dedicated to protecting and finding missing children. You can set up an online fundraiser or organize an event at your local park.

VOLUNTEER

Volunteer with a local organization

Find an organization that is dedicated to helping find missing children, and offer your time and skills to help them in their mission. This could be anything from administrative assistance to helping out on search and rescue missions.

SPREAD

Spread awareness

Take some time to educate yourself on the issue of missing children, then spread this knowledge through social media, emails, or other forms of communication. Encourage others to show their support by donating or volunteering.

ATTEND

Attend a vigil

Many communities come together during National Missing Children's Day and hold vigils for all of the children who have gone missing. Attend one of these events and show your support for the cause.

DONATE

Donate toys

Donating toys to local organizations that work with missing children can help provide comfort and joy during difficult times. This can also help bring more attention to the issue, so consider donating gently used toys that you no longer need.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why National Missing Children’s Day is Important

Missing Children’s Day encourages child safety initiatives

National Missing Children's Day also generates support for initiatives designed to keep kids safe. These may include efforts to promote internet safety, prevent trafficking, reduce bullying, and increase law enforcement protections. Such initiatives help create safer communities and ensure that all children have access to resources and support when they need it most.

Missing Children’s Day heightens public awareness of the issue

National Missing Children's Day is held every May to raise awareness about the problem of missing children in the US and around the world. By increasing public visibility of this important issue, it helps to inform people about the risk of children going missing as well as how they can protect their own kids from falling victim to predators or other dangerous situations.

Missing Children’s Day gives hope to families searching for loved ones

For families with a missing child, National Missing Children's Day serves as a reminder that they are not alone in their fight for justice. The day provides an opportunity for them to share their stories and draw attention to the plight of those still searching for their lost family members.