Books and Beyond: Celebrating National Week of Play 2026
Play England is proud to support the Early Years Alliance’s National Week of Play 2026, running from 29 June to 5 July.
This year’s theme, Books and beyond: bringing stories to life through imaginative play, celebrates how stories can spark children’s ideas, curiosity and creativity. The week will offer free resources, blogs and virtual events for early years providers and families.
From stories to play
A story can become the starting point for almost anything. A cardboard box can become a castle, a stick can become a magic wand, and a familiar room can become somewhere entirely new. Children may recreate stories they know, change the ending, invent characters or take their play in a completely different direction.
This is where stories and play meet. Books, oral storytelling and made-up tales can provide ideas, but children decide what happens next.
Play is freely chosen and personally directed. Its value comes from children following their own imagination, interests and instincts, in their own way and for their own reasons.
Making space for imagination
Imaginative play does not require expensive equipment or elaborate adult-led activities.
Children need:
time to become absorbed in their play
space to explore and create
acceptance from adults that play may be noisy, messy or unpredictable
recognition of play as a right, not an optional extra
Adults can support this by making stories available, sharing them in different ways and then giving children the freedom to interpret, adapt or leave them behind.
The aim is not to direct children towards a predetermined outcome. It is to create the conditions in which their ideas can grow.
How to get involved
Early years providers, parents, carers and families can take part throughout the week. You can:
sign up for the Early Years Alliance’s free resource pack
explore its blogs, resources and virtual events
share how you are supporting storytelling and imaginative play
join the conversation using #PlayWeek2026
Find out more and sign up for National Week of Play 2026
Our view
At Play England, our 10-year strategy, It All Starts with Play! is focused on restoring a play-based childhood and making play a normal, accepted and visible part of everyday life.
National Week of Play supports that ambition by reminding families, practitioners and decision-makers that play is fundamental to childhood.
“Play England is proud to support the Early Years Alliance’s National Week of Play 2026. This year’s theme, Books and beyond: bringing stories to life through imaginative play, is a powerful reminder that play starts with imagination. Stories, books and make-believe help children make sense of the world, express themselves and create on their own terms. As our strategy says, It All Starts with Play! Play is not an add-on to childhood. It is how children learn, connect, grow and thrive.”
Eugene Minogue, Executive Director, Play England