Today, children from the South-East of England will join over 850,000 others to celebrate Playday- the national day for play in the UK.
As well as a celebration of children’s right to play, Playday is a campaign that highlights the importance of play in children’s lives. This year in excess of 600 celebratory community events are taking place across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales to mark the annual campaign, with hundreds of individuals, families and whole communities getting involved with the 2013 Playful places campaign which calls on everyone to help make sure that the places where children live and hang out are great places to play.
Playday events are happening right across the South East of England to mark Playday 2013. In Milton Keynes the Milton Keynes Play Partnership are organising ‘MK Playday’ in Campbell Park, where revellers can expect nature play, sports, entertainment on stage and a huge water slide (towels and a change of clothes are recommended!) Over in Oxford, the Oxfordshire Play Association are planning an event at Rose Hill Recreation Ground, where things look to be very rosy indeed- with a heap of fun activities planned throughout the day. West Sussex can expect a veritable feast of activities, organised by Friends of Worthing Playday Association; Broadwater Green is playing host to this year’s event where activities include juggling, a water slide and a messy play tent.
Survey results released today for Playday 2013 found that over 50% of adults reported playing out at least seven times a week when they were growing up, compared to less than a quarter of children (23%) today, and with 40% of children saying they want to play out more, it is clear that there has never been a better time to get out and play!
Mick Conway, one of the co-founders of Playday said: ‘Ingredients for a great Playday: a bit of space and whatever bits and pieces are to hand. Just add some children and they’ll do the rest. Playday can be any size or any shape from a family picnic to a huge event in a park – celebrate it where you are with what you have and see what happens!’
Cath Prisk, Director of Play England, said: ‘There is no better way for children and young people to get to know their neighbours and their neighbourhood than simply playing out in it every day. It can just take a few neighbours coming together to make a lifetime of difference for the children in their community. Holding a playday can be as easy as inviting everyone outside and putting out some chalk – so why not do it today?’
Events will be taking place across South East England today, Wednesday 7th August and throughout the summer. To find your local event simply visit www.playday.org.uk/events .