First International Day of Play Declared by UN General Assembly

This year, June 11 will be declared the world’s first International Day of Play by the U.N. General Assembly.

Academics in the field said the importance of play was extremely important—even for adults.

Deakin University Associate Professor of Play Therapy, Judi Parson, from the School of Health and Social Development, said the establishment of an International Day of Play was a wonderful way to champion the deep value of play.

“Play supports physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development as well as our emotional health and well-being,” she said.

“It enhances our quality of life, mental health, and cognitive abilities, including critical thinking skills, creativity, and counterfactual thinking.

“In a world where anxiety and depression rates are increasing, play offers a counteractive influence by fostering positive emotions.”

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Decades of research has shown the profound value of play.

“Rich childhood play contributes to adaptability and stress, coping skills in adulthood and systemic benefits that positively impact individuals, families, communities, and society at large,” Assoc. Prof. Parson said in a statement.

“Life is faster and more scheduled than ever, which has changed opportunities for play, but play is crucial for regrouping, refreshing, and coping with the stresses of life.”

Global research surveying more than 25,000 children across 36 countries revealed as many as 73 percent of children don’t take play seriously.

Toy giant Lego partnered with the U.N. on the development of the day, with CEO Niels B. Christiansen saying play played an important role in strengthening family bonds.

“We have hosted our own World Play Day the past two years to celebrate the importance of play,” he said.

“The adoption of an International Day of Play by the U.N. is a true testament to the power of play and the need to collectively champion and protect all children’s right to play.”

The Unique Benefits of Being Playful

Deakin Emeritus Professor Karen Stagnitti said all forms of play offered unique benefits.

“Exploratory play helps children discover the properties of objects, while sensory motor play enhances body awareness and motor skills,” she said.

“Pretend play is linked to socio-emotional wellbeing, language development, social competence, creativity, and self-regulation.

“While self-directed play is one of the most powerful types of play as it fosters deep learning and enhances memory retention.”

Prof. Stagnitti said when adults engaged in play with children, it often promoted stronger connections and helped them develop important life skills such as resilience, problem-solving, and decision-making.

“Engaging in activities that involve a degree of risk allows children to push their boundaries, build confidence, and develop a sense of self-efficacy,” she said.

“Experiencing manageable risks in a safe and supervised environment helps children learn to navigate uncertainty and cope with challenges, preparing them for the complexities of the real world.”

Without play, experts say children’s physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development can suffer.

Lecturer in play therapy Bridget Sarah said play was a lifespan pursuit that benefitted both children and adults.

“It may change form over time but its importance for emotional wellness never diminishes,” Ms. Sarah said.

“As adults, we may forget how to be playful, and dominating a child’s play can decrease the child’s sense of empowerment.

“We haven’t inherently lost the ability to play, but the way we and our children engage in play has evolved with our busy lifestyles.”

Funding for Indigenous Play Groups

Earlier this year, the Australian government provided money for a playgroups pilot for Indigenous Australian children.

An additional $31,660 (US$20,870) was committed to Indigenous toy libraries, adding to the $1.1 million already allocated.

Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth highlighted the importance of culturally appropriate and integrated learning through playgroups and toy libraries.

“This investment will enhance early learning, development, and wellbeing of first nations children and support stronger family, community, and cultural connections—particularly for children from vulnerable or disadvantaged backgrounds.”