In the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, a familiar narrative took hold: children were among the most vulnerable. While their schools closed and routines were disrupted, a quieter story also emerged—one that challenges how we think about children in times of crisis. Rather than remaining passive recipients of care, many young people stepped forward as helpers, problem-solvers and advocates for others. This talk draws on Peek’s research to explore children’s contributions during the pandemic and across a range of disaster contexts.