International Day of Play

The UN Table Tennis Club and UN Games Organizing Committee is pleased to host a Kids' Table Tennis Tournament - a joyful and inclusive event for children of UN staff and diplomatic families. Watch the UN Kids' Table Tennis Tournament Award Ceremony! Meetings & Events

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...