Explore Play Wales
People who work with older children and teenagers have an important role in supporting their opportunities to play and meet up with friends.
This Youth Work Week 2025, we are celebrating the links between playwork and youth work, as well as emphasising the positive impact that youth workers can have on opportunities for play.
Youth workers, youth support workers and youth work volunteers – by understanding and supporting play – provide a natural way for children to develop, learn about themselves and connect to the world around them.
Youth Work Week, celebrated from 23 to 30 June 2025, is an opportunity to showcase and celebrate the impact and diversity of youth work across Wales. The week aims to promote a wider understanding of and support for youth work.
Our information sheets, training and other resources are available to support anyone working with children and teenagers to understand their role in supporting play.
Find out more about play and youth work
Resources
What does it take to be a playworker?
This short video showcases the qualities that can be adopted by youth workers to support and encourage children’s play.
An information sheet about the play of older children, particularly those aged 11 to 16. It explores the play behaviours of older children and their benefits as well as where older children play and why.
Playwork qualifications in Wales
A short guide for playworkers and others who work with children in Wales. It gives an overview of what qualifications are available and what the legal requirements are for playworkers and managers.
… And for parents and carers – or to share with the families you work with – see the Supporting Teenagers section of our Playful Childhoods website for tips and ideas.