International Day of Play

Every child has the right to play in a safe and clean environment . It is important to consider all aspects that impact children’s lives such as nutrition, health, but also their living space and space to play in order to provide them with proper care and well-being.  

The International Day of Play is a time to celebrate the power of play . It's also A time to come together and make sure that every child is able to fulfil their right to play .

FORUM: " Choose Play – Every Day ." International Day of Play 2025 . The theme for this year’s International Day of Play is “ Choose Play – Every Day ”. Play is a critical part of a child’s development , but for many children in conflicts around the world, this right is denied. Close to 71% of children say play is important because it makes them happy, and 58% say that it helps them make friends and have a good time with others. It is estimated that 160 million children around the world are working instead of playing or learning. Only 1 in 4 children play out regularly on their street compared their grandparents generation where almost three-quarters said they played outside a few times a week. 41% of children had been told to stop playing out by either their parents or other adults such as neighbours. The theme is a reminder for all of us – governments, businesses, schools and families – to take decisions that embrace and prioritize play for children. Follow the conversatio...

  The  International Day of Play , observed on 11 June 2024, marks a significant milestone in efforts to preserve, promote, and prioritize playing so that all people, especially children, can reap the rewards and thrive to their full potential. Beyond mere recreation, play is a universal language spoken by people of all ages , transcending national, cultural, and socio-economic boundaries. This shared passion fosters a sense of community and national pride. It also fosters resilience, creativity, and innovation in individuals. For children in particular, play helps build relationships and improves control, overcome trauma, and problem-solving . It helps children develop the cognitive, physical, creative, social, and emotional skills they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Restricting opportunities for play directly impedes a child's well-being and development. In educational settings, play-based learning has been recognized as an effective approach to engage studen...

Children learn best through play. Play creates powerful learning opportunities across all areas of development – intellectual, social, emotional and physical. Through play, children learn to forge connections with others, build a wide range of leadership skills, develop resilience, navigate relationships and social challenges as well as conquer their fears. When children play, they feel safe. Children play to make sense of the world around them. More generally, play provides a platform for children to express and develop imagination and creativity, which are key skills critical for the technology-driven and innovative world we live in. Playful interactions contribute to the well-being and positive mental health of parents, caregivers and children. When humanitarian crises turn a child’s world upside down, it is in play that children can both find safety and respite from adverse experience while also being able to explore and process their experiences with the world. When children ar...

On the surface, play may seem like it’s all about having fun, but it’s far more than that for babies and toddlers. It’s about learning and building important life skills – from problem solving to expressing ideas – and strengthening the bond between you both. Learn more about the Science of Play