My Play, My Way: Celebrating National Week of Play 2025
We’re proud to support the Early Years Alliance National Week of Play 2025, running from 30 June to 6 July, with this year’s theme — ‘My Play, My Way’ — putting child-led play firmly in the spotlight.
Play is how children explore, connect, and understand the world around them. It’s their way of building confidence, relationships, and essential skills. But to get the most from play, children need the freedom to lead — to play their way, on their terms.
Letting Children Lead
Too often, adults’ over-structure or limit play. But play doesn’t need expensive equipment or complicated activities. It needs time, space, and acceptance for children to follow their curiosity, creativity, and ideas.
The National Week of Play is a reminder to step back, tune in, and give children the chance to take the lead — whether at home, in childcare, or out in the community.
My Play, My Way Podcast
To mark the week, the Early Years Alliance has released a special podcast episode — ‘My Play, My Way’ — with early years experts exploring how we can better support confident, independent, child-led play.
Places to Play — A Child’s Way
Children learn everywhere — not just in classrooms or designated ‘play zones’. Being outdoors, exploring their surroundings, and using their imagination is key to healthy development. The Alliance has produced a helpful guide with simple, accessible ideas for outdoor play. From gardens to parks, beaches to urban streets — it’s full of inspiration to help families and communities support play, a child’s way.
🌿 Explore the places to play resource here
How You Can Get Involved
Share your support using #PlayWeek2025 on social media
Tune in to the podcast and share it with parents, carers, and colleagues
Explore the free resources to create more space for play, everywhere
Our View
At Play England, we believe play should be a normal, accepted part of everyday life for all children. That’s the foundation of our new strategy, It All Starts with Play!, and it’s why we’re proud to support the National Week of Play.
“All children should have the freedom to play in their own way, every day. That means creating the time, space, and acceptance for play to happen as part of daily life. But too often, play is overlooked or squeezed out of children’s lives. We want to change that by making play a visible, accepted, and protected part of everyday life again.” — Eugene Minogue, Executive Director, Play England
Explore how we’re working to restore a play-based childhood for all children by 2035: It All Starts with Play! — Play England’s 10-Year National Strategy