Playday 2026 - play here, there and everywhere
Playday 2026 calls for support to enable children to play here, there and everywhere
Today, as thousands of children, young people, and families across the UK celebrate Playday by attending local events or playing at home, the national play organisations are calling on everyone to champion children’s right to play and help build a more playful UK where every child can grow and thrive.
This year’s Playday theme highlights the importance of creating opportunities for children and young people to play wherever they are. Children play everywhere - in living rooms and gardens, school playgrounds and parks, neighbourhoods and on local streets.
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 is a natural part of children’s everyday lives and is essential for their health, development, and emotional wellbeing. By creating more playful communities, children can have fun, make friends, develop resilience and confidence, and feel like they belong.
This Playday, the national play organisations are calling for all children to have access to:
Playful moments - small opportunities to play, whether at home or on the move, can make a significant difference to children’s everyday lives.
Everyday adventures - play doesn’t need to involve expensive toys and activities, simple, low-cost ideas are often the most fun.
Playful neighbourhoods - making everyday journeys more playful and child-friendly can be enjoyable for all.
Inclusive and welcoming environments - spaces and places where children of all ages and abilities feel they belong.
Eugene Minogue, Executive Director of Play England said:
“Play does not belong in one place, one setting or one part of childhood. It happens here, there and everywhere when children have the space and time to play, when their play is welcomed and accepted, and when their right to play is respected.
That is the purpose of Play England’s ten-year strategy - It All Starts With Play! to restore a play-based childhood for all children in England by 2035. This Playday, our message is clear: children should be able and welcome to play at home, at school, in parks, streets and throughout their communities, on Playday and every day.”
Mike Greenaway, Director of Play Wales, said:
“Given the time, space and freedom, children will play here, there and everywhere. Playful moments and everyday adventures in inclusive and welcoming environments in their neighbourhoods are crucially important for every child. We can all make a positive difference to children’s play experiences, which are essential for a happy and healthy childhood.
Children living and playing in Wales are telling us that having good places to play with friends near where they live is really important to them. They are asking for more and better places and spaces to play. We can’t deny these are reasonable expectations and all adults should be looking at ways to make it easier for children to play – on Playday and every day.”
Alan Herron, Chief Executive of PlayBoard NI said:
“Children play here, there and everywhere – at home, in their communities, in parks, schools and in the everyday spaces that shape their lives. Every child in Northern Ireland deserves the time, space and freedom to play because play is fundamental to every child’s healthy development, wellbeing and sense of belonging.
Our challenge is not to tell children where they can play, but to ensure the places where they live already support it. Playday reminds us that creating a more playful Northern Ireland requires a shared commitment to embedding children and young people’s right to play across government. As other parts of the UK strengthen their commitment to play through national strategies and planning reform, Northern Ireland must not be left behind. Now is the time for the Northern Ireland Executive to deliver a dedicated Play Strategy and planning reform that puts play at the heart of every community.”
Mary Ramsey, Chief Executive of Play Scotland said:
"In Scotland, we have seen first-hand the power that self-directed, freely-chosen, and intrinsically motivated play has in building resilient, curious and confident children and how that builds a strong sense of self and belonging in their community.
Playday is an important opportunity for us to champion and celebrate play for its power in supporting children's wellbeing in ordinary, everyday settings.
Wherever you are, take the opportunity to discover and make space for a playful moment!"
This Playday, families, community leaders, play providers, and childcare settings are encouraged to champion spaces and opportunities for play, helping to create a more playful world where children and young people can enjoy the freedom to play.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
For more information, please contact us via info@playengland.org.uk