When we hear “play,” we often think of toys scattered across the floor, giggles echoing down the hallway, or a child deep in their imaginary world of pirates, fairies, or dinosaurs. But play is much more than a break from routine — it’s a child’s way of making sense of the world.
This 11th June, we celebrate the first anniversary of the International Day of Play — a global reminder that play is not a luxury. It’s essential to childhood.
The Magic Behind Everyday Play
When children play, they aren’t “just having fun.” They’re learning how to express feelings, negotiate friendships, solve problems, and use their imagination. It is in play that a shy child finds her voice, a curious child asks big questions, and a restless child finds calm.
Play strengthens:
- Emotional resilience – through trying, failing, and trying again
- Language and communication – as they role-play, explain, and imagine
- Creativity – building imaginary worlds or solving puzzles
- Social development – understanding fairness, turn-taking, and empathy
- Cognitive skills – especially in unstructured play, where the mind makes connections naturally
And the best part? Children are often learning the most when they don’t even realise it.
Here’s What You Can Do With Your Child
You don’t need fancy toys or big setups. What your child craves is your presence, curiosity, and just a little creative spark. Here are some simple, engaging activities to celebrate the spirit of play together:
1. Silly Storytime
Take your child’s favourite storybook, and before each page, ask them: “What do you think will happen next?” Or swap out characters with silly names and let them giggle their way through. This boosts language, memory, and creative thinking.
2. Pretend Corner
Pull out old clothes, scarves, hats, or even a bedsheet, and turn your space into a mini theatre. Let your child “be” a chef, a doctor, or a dinosaur tamer. Pretend play helps them express feelings and build empathy.
3. Build Together
Blocks, empty boxes, or even plastic cups can become castles, garages, or cities. Join in — ask what you’re building, give it a name, or challenge each other to make the tallest tower. This supports spatial awareness, planning, and teamwork.
4. Nature Find
Step outside with a small bag and invite your child to collect leaves, stones, flowers, or twigs. At home, use them to make a nature collage or create patterns. Even a 15-minute outdoor play can refresh and ground children deeply.
5. Mystery Box
Place 5–6 safe household objects (such as a spoon, a soft ball, or a hairbrush) inside a covered box. Let your child put their hand in, feel the item, and guess. It’s a fantastic sensory experience and helps with language and logical thinking.
Did You Know? There’s More Than One Kind of Play
Understanding the types of play helps us recognise that even “quiet” or “messy” moments matter:
- Exploratory play – touching, smelling, and pouring things to understand the world
- Constructive play – stacking, sorting, building — learning through doing
- Pretend play – dressing up, role play, imagination-led games
- Social play – playing with siblings or friends; turn-taking, sharing, co-creating
- Creative play – drawing, dancing, storytelling, making music
Each type supports different areas of a child’s development, and no form is “better” than the other. A child’s day needs a mix, just like a good diet!
Play doesn’t need a reason. But if it did, that reason would be everything.
Because play builds brains, opens hearts, strengthens bodies, and feeds the soul.
This International Day of Play, don’t overthink it. Just say yes. To add five extra minutes of mess. To an imaginary dragon. To one more round of “catch me if you can. ”Because in those moments, childhood is being lived fully, freely, and joyfully.