- International charity Right To Play is encouraging schools to host a day of play on 11 June
Global development charity Right To Play is encouraging primary schools and nurseries across the UK to celebrate International Day of Play on 11 June 2025.
The charity, which uses play to transform the lives of vulnerable children around the world, has created a pack with free resources, games and ideas for schools to host their own day of play.
The first 100 UK schools to register with Right To Play will also receive a free prize bundle of puzzles, games and toys.
International Day of Play was officially adopted by the United Nations in 2024, following months of campaigning by Right To Play and the charity’s partners. The first-ever International Day of Play took place on 11 June 2024. The annual day dedicated to play highlights the vital importance of play for children’s learning, development and wellbeing, and puts the spotlight on play as a basic right and necessity for all children. It supports Right To Play’s work to ensure that vulnerable children in some of the most difficult places on earth can access this fundamental right.
Gillian McMahon, Executive Director of Right To Play UK, said: “Play is a deep-rooted part of childhood in the UK and is firmly embedded in the curriculum and in school life. But the sad reality is that many children around the world are unable to experience the joy and life-changing benefits of play. Millions of children are deprived of the opportunity to play due to extreme challenges, such as conflict, displacement, poverty, gender inequality and discrimination. We hope that schools around the country will join us in highlighting the importance of play and can support our work to ensure that every child, no matter where they are, can claim this basic right.”
As the global experts on play, Right To Play is an organisation that protects, educates and empowers millions of children every year to rise above adversity through play. The charity uses play-based learning and psychosocial support to help vulnerable children affected by war, disease, climate change, violence, poverty, inequality, prejudice and exploitation, across Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
To register your school to host a celebration on International Day of Play, and to receive a free resources pack from Right To Play UK, please visit: https://righttoplay.org.uk/en-gb/national-offices/national-office-uk/get-involved/school-sign-up-form-international-day-of-play/
