International Day of Play

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.

The International Day of Play takes place on 11 June each year.

International Day of Play 2025

This year’s theme, Choose Play – Everyday, is a powerful reminder that play is not just for one day, it’s something to be protected and prioritised all year round, by policy makers, schools, hospitals, families, and neighbours/community members.

The President of the International Play Association (IPA), Robyn Monro Miller, has shared a video message calling on everyone to not just celebrate play, but to reflect on the barriers to play in our communities, and to work together so that every child has the time, space and opportunity to play, every day.

Get involved

From playgrounds to pavements, gardens to games, play happens everywhere – share your International Day of Play celebrations and reflections with us on social media, using the hashtags #InternationalDayOfPlay and #ChoosePlay.

To support schools to give children more time to play on International Day of Play, we developed a list of top tips. The list is full of practical and easy ideas for marking the day.

Background

On 25 March 2024, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution for an annual International Day of Play.

Members of the International Play Association (IPA), including IPA Cymru Wales, voted unanimously to advocate to the UN for an International Day of Play at the IPA World Conference in June 2023.

The IPA joined with a range of global partners including children’s rights organisations and play experts to call on UN member states to support the resolution. The Child Friendly Governance Project also worked directly to engage and support the voices of children worldwide in the call.

The first ever International Day of Play was celebrated on 11 June 2024.