Children and young people are commonly treated in the climate change and disasters litera- ture as victims of natural events requiring protection by adults. This article critiques that narrative, drawing on examples from the Philippines and El Salvador that explore how chil- dren’s groups have responded to such issues through child-centred initiatives. This highlights the importance of understanding children’s perception and communication of risks facing their lives and livelihoods, their potential as agents of change in preventing disasters and adapting to climate change, and the implications for the theory and practice of child partici- pation, particularly in developing countries.