National Play Conference & Awards 2026 | 8-9 October | University of Warwick | Book Now!
National Play Conference & Awards 2026 | 8-9 October | University of Warwick | Book Now!
England’s National Charity for Play
Our vision is a society where all children have the freedom to play
Our mission is to make play a normal, accepted and visible part of everyday life again
Our objective is to restore a play-based childhood for all children in England by 2035
Latest News
What is play?
Play is freely chosen and led by children themselves. It happens when children follow their own ideas and interests, in their own way and for their own reasons.
Play can be active or quiet, indoors or outdoors, alone or with others. It happens at home, at school, in parks, streets, playgrounds, adventure playgrounds and throughout children’s communities.
Play matters first because children value and enjoy it. Through play, children have fun, make friends, explore, create, take risks, make decisions and make sense of the people and places around them.
Every child has the right to play under Article 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
What all children need to play
Play sufficiency means ensuring that every child has enough opportunities to play, supported by the space, time, acceptance and rights they need.
The STAR framework identifies the four conditions required to make children’s right to play real.
Stand Up for Children’s Right to Play!
Play England is building a national movement to restore a play-based childhood for all children in England by 2035.
Join our free Supporters Network for updates on campaigns, policy, legislation, events, research and opportunities to take action.