As Playday is celebrated across the UK, national play organisations are calling for more inclusive and welcoming spaces where children and young people of all ages and abilities can play freely and feel part of their communities.
This year’s Playday theme highlights the vital importance of quality spaces for play that support children and young people’s happiness, physical and emotional health and well-being, and connection to the world around them.
This Playday, there are calls for spaces that:
- Provide accessible, safe, and playful spaces where children can play freely in their local community.
- Are inclusive and welcoming for children and young people of all ages and abilities.
- Maximise opportunities for play in schools, childcare, youth settings, and public spaces.
- Are shaped by the voices, needs, and experiences of children and young people themselves.
- Support play that promotes fun, friendship, being active, enjoying nature, and building a strong sense of belonging.
- Encourage families, carers, and communities to come together through play across generations.
Families, community leaders, planners, developers, and everyone who has a role in shaping children’s lives are being encouraged to champion better spaces for play.
Marguerite Hunter Blair, Chief Executive Officer, Play Scotland, said: “Playday is a great way for families and communities to come together and celebrate the importance of play in local spaces. Playing is fun and children love to play outside and connect with nature. Having accessible outdoor play spaces for everyone is at the heart of a healthy community. So, let’s all find space to play in our busy lives on Playday.”
Alan Herron, Chief Executive Officer at PlayBoard NI, added: “It is vital that children and young people feel welcome in the places where they grow up. Opportunities to play help children make friends and build relationships across communities. Access to safe, well-maintained outdoor spaces varies across Northern Ireland, and we continue to advocate for a Play Strategy that could transform play opportunities for all of our children and young people.”
Mike Greenaway, Director of Play Wales, commented: “Children tell us time and time again that they want more and better places to play in their neighbourhoods. We need to listen and recognise the importance, and do something about it by giving every child good quality spaces to play and socialise outdoors with their friends. We must make our neighbourhoods more welcoming, more accessible and more inclusive, for children to play, on Playday and every day of the year.”
Eugene Minogue, Executive Director at Play England, said: “This year’s Playday theme is central to our new strategy – It All Starts with Play! Children need better spaces to play – spaces that are welcoming, inclusive, and part of everyday life. That means listening to children, designing with care, and planning communities where play is accepted and expected. Every child deserves to feel they belong, and that starts with space to play.”
Every child and young person has the right to play. Together, we can create a more playful, inclusive world where all children can grow, thrive, and belong.
