Let's celebrate the International Day of Play on June 11

The power of play can unlock a child’s full potential and support their development in all areas including their health, learning, life-skills, and well-being. Every child has the right to play. The UN International Day of Play on June 11 is a global, unifying moment to mark the importance of respecting, protecting and fulfilling every child’s right to play.

"Every child has the right 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

Play is never 'just play'

At home, play creates a nurturing space for development and develops a strong bond between children and their caregivers. In the classroom or community, play can help teachers and facilitators create safe, accepting learning environments for children. Play can reignite a spark in a child’s life, giving them the skills, knowledge, and confidence, they need to rise above adversity.  

Play nurtures essential skills
Play instils confidence
Play saves lives
Play restores hope and builds resilience

Let's Play!

The International Day of Play is for everyone to celebrate in your own way. If you're looking for some inspiration on how to celebrate the day, we've created a Partner Playbox with a suggested play activity and lots of resources on learning through play and playful parenting.

For additional resources and information on the International Day of Play, visit:

International Day of Play Website

International Day of Play Partner Playbox

Putting play back on the agenda

Play is often overlooked and undervalued – it enables multiple Sustainable Development Goals but is included in none. We need to put play back on the agenda.:

  • Recognising it as a joyful, fundamental, and vital dimension of children. 
  • Recognising it as a critical vehicle for children to understand themselves and develop the cognitive, physical, creative, social and emotional skills they need to thrive in a rapidly changing world.  
  • Recognising it as a right for every child’s development – from making friends to strengthening family relationships, from valuing building to problem-solving, from overcoming trauma to engaging with nature and their environment, from driving everyday creativity to shaping future career paths.  

This is why the LEGO Foundation joined a group of global, influential organisations, NGOs, experts and most importantly children & youth themselves, to mobilize their networks and member states to call for the adoption of an International Day of Play by the United Nations. The resolution was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 25 March 2024.