Explore Play Wales
Community events are ideal opportunities to meet with other people of all ages in a fun and friendly way within the neighbourhood – and to promote the importance of play.
Ensuring that community events are playful means that children, teenagers and adults can meet and spend time alongside each other in a relaxed way. When children are given the opportunity to play, they meet and get to know other children and adults in the neighbourhood, building familiarity, trust and a community spirit. This helps parents to gain confidence to allow children to play out at other times of the year.
This information sheet aims to help make community events more playful for children and teenagers. It also offers ideas about how to create playful experiences, along with simple low-cost play ideas.
Download the information sheet
Opportunities to host community events
Save the dates below for the national (UK) and global days of celebration coming soon. They offer ideal opportunities to host a playful event for children and teenagers in your communities:
The Big Lunch
7 to 8 June 2025
The Big Lunch is the UK’s annual get-together for neighbours and communities, with millions of people coming together for a few hours of friendship, food and fun. It is a great way for people to get to know each other better, have a good time and celebrate where they live.
International Day of Play
11 June 2025
The United Nations International Day of Play recognises children’s right to play and its importance for their wellbeing. The day is an opportunity to raise global awareness about the importance of play and to campaign for play to be considered in every aspect of children’s lives.
Playday
6 August 2025
Playday is the annual national day for play in the UK. This year’s theme is Spaces for Play. It highlights the vital importance of accessible, inclusive spaces where children and teenagers have opportunities to play freely, spending time, and connecting with friends – and feel valued as part of their community.