Observed worldwide every 11 June, the International Day of Play is the first ever UN day dedicated to children's right to play. A short guide to the day, the global coalition behind it, and where to find the resources that matter.
The first ever UN day dedicated to play, anywhere, for everyone.
On 25 March 2024, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/78/268, proclaiming 11 June as the International Day of Play. It was the first time a UN day had been formally dedicated to play.
The day is co-organised by UNICEF, UNESCO, and the WHO Sport for Health Programme, with the participation of civil society, NGOs, governments, businesses, schools, and families.
Play is recognised under Article 31 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child as a right of every child. The International Day of Play exists to make that right visible, every year, in every country.
A multi-year campaign by a global coalition of organisations, governments, and children.
The work was initiated by the LEGO Group and the LEGO Foundation, in partnership with a global coalition of organisations spanning child rights, education, humanitarian, sport, and play. Together, they worked with UN member states, children, and youth advisory groups over several years to make the case for a UN-designated day for play.
The resolution itself was led at the UN by a Core Group of Member States from all five UN regions:
I was leading advocacy and communications at the LEGO Foundation while this campaign was being built, and was closely involved in the global advocacy effort that led to UN recognition. Getting the world's nations to formally adopt a day for play, when so many other urgent issues were on the table, took the persistence of a remarkable coalition. I am proud to have played a small part in it, and to keep championing the work that follows.
Play England is the national charity for play in England, championing every child's right to play through advocacy, research, and the Play 31 Challenge.
Inspired by Article 31 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Play 31 Challenge invites schools across the UK and Ireland to extend break times, support playful outdoor learning, or create a giant "31" from loose parts to mark the day.
The challenge is led by the UK Children's Play Policy Forum in collaboration with Play England, Play Scotland, Play Wales, PlayBoard Northern Ireland, and IPA Ireland.
Euan Wilmshurst, Co-Founder and Principal of KW Strategy, is Vice Chair of the Play England board.
The official global campaign hub, with resources, activities, and ways to take part wherever you are in the world.
The dedicated home of the International Day of Play campaign. Free play activities for families, social media templates and suggested copy, a free course for parents, teachers, and policymakers, and ways for organisations and governments to take part in the global movement.
The theme of the 2026 International Day of Play is a reminder to governments, businesses, schools, and families that happy and healthy childhoods are built on play. Not as a luxury, not as a reward, but as a foundation.
Protecting play is something Euan has written about, and it matters now more than ever.
Read: Protect play, protect childhood →Shrinking break times in schools. Less independent outdoor play. Rising screen time. More structured, less spontaneous. The evidence is consistent across countries: children today have less time, space, and permission to play than at almost any point in recent history.
The International Day of Play is the moment to push back, globally, and to make the case clearly.
Primary sources from the UN system and its co-organising agencies.
Background on the resolution, the rationale, and the day's place within the UN observance calendar. Available in all six UN languages.
un.orgPractical play activities, the science of play, age-appropriate ideas, and expert tips for parents and caregivers throughout June and beyond.
unicef.orgUNESCO's account of the inaugural observance in New York, the role of the Member State Core Group, and links to the Tashkent Declaration and the Global Agenda for Early Childhood Care and Education.
unesco.orgThe full text of the UN General Assembly resolution proclaiming 11 June as the International Day of Play. Adopted on 25 March 2024.
documents.un.orgThe global organisations that initiated and built the campaign for a UN-designated Day of Play.
The campaign was initiated by the LEGO Group and the LEGO Foundation, in partnership with the following founding coalition members. Many continue to run their own programmes and resources for the day each year.
"States Parties recognize the right of the child to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts."Article 31, UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989
A sample of national and regional campaigns from around the world. Many more national charities, governments, and coalition partners run activities each year.
Schools across the UK and Ireland are being asked to give children 31 extra minutes of play on 11 June, inspired by Article 31 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
playengland.org.ukWith over 175 Scottish schools already signed up, Play Scotland is calling on schools across Scotland to back the Play 31 Challenge and celebrate the right to play.
playscotland.orgActivities, resources, and the Welsh-language campaign for the International Day of Play from the national charity for children's play in Wales.
play.walesPlayBoard NI, the lead organisation for play in Northern Ireland, is calling on schools across NI to take part in the Play 31 Challenge and mark the day.
playboard.orgThe National Childhood Network, alongside IPA Ireland, is encouraging schools and settings across Ireland to celebrate the day with the Play 31 Challenge.
ncn.ieResources, events, and the Australian campaign for the International Day of Play, run by the national peak body for play.
playaustralia.org.auOne of the first US city governments to formally observe the day, with events across early childhood centres and public spaces.
boston.govUNICEF India's dedicated IDOP page with stories, advice for parents and educators, and play-based activities tailored for families across India.
unicef.org/indiaUNICEF Türkiye's dedicated page for the day, with resources for parents, educators, and policymakers, available in Turkish and English.
unicef.org/turkiyeRight To Play runs play-based programmes year-round in countries including Ghana, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Pakistan, Thailand, and the Middle East, with International Day of Play activities across them.
righttoplay.comSave the Children, a founding coalition member, runs International Day of Play activities through its network of country offices across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East.
savethechildren.netAn educator-led global movement encouraging schools worldwide to dedicate one school day to free, unstructured play.
globalschoolplayday.comIf your organisation is planning something for the International Day of Play, or if play is part of your wider mission and strategy, we would love to hear about it.
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