Happy INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PLAY!! Today is recognised around the globe as a day to celebrate play. It's the perfect opportunity to shout about all the amazing work we do to support the children & families in our communities, and to ensure every experiences their right to play every day! 🎉

📢 Would you like FREE access to play resources, forums, e-learning & more?  Membership is open to all projects & individuals in Scotland that meet our criteria!  Existing service? Setting up a new project? Looking for ideas? Get in touch today! #playinscotland #membersupport

👀We'll be kicking off the Summer with our exciting play ideas Play Chat on 1st July! 💡Join us to chat about accessible, low cost play ideas, share tips & ideas for crafts, messy play, and outdoor play. 💬Share your own ideas, discover new play ideas, or simply chat about anything play related.

This #BookbugWeek, discover our book subscription of brilliant picture books for 3–5 year olds. You'll find a treasure trove of superb titles, exclusively chosen by the team behind Bookbug. Available to order now! shop.scottishbooktrust.com/products/boo...

This week we are celebrating international play as we lead up to World Play Day on Thursday. Here's some fun activities to get children thinking about different countries.

📢Have your say! If you work with children @ would like to contribute to children's care law, you can share your experience on Scotland’s independent review, commissioned by The Scottish Governemnt and @celcis.org  ➡️ https://hass.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cNoCWGWTcGSC7t4

Curious to know what goes on at our Intro to Woodwork training?? On Monday we were joined by staff from Methil Community Children's Initiative and Anderston Primary at @concretegarden.bsky.social  Check out some of their fantastic creations!

🤾‍♂️Would you like to know more about ACTIVE PLAY ⁉️ We found this article on @cbeebies.bsky.social Parenting, and it is full of info:

👀Join us THIS FRIDAY to share, network and collaborate on supporting outdoor play across Scotland. We are bringing together play practitioners and enthusiasts to share ideas, discuss your current successes and challenges and dive into the wonderful world of play in an outdoor setting.

It's national children's day this Sunday the 10th of May. Our question to you is where will you play?  We've checked the forecast and most of Scotland has a lovely morning perfect for some time outdoors.  Not only is it great for children's development it's great for adult mental health too!

Thank you to everyone who took part in our 2026 Member's Survey! It is always important that we are guided by our members to understand what you need from us, and for your voice to be heard so that we are able to represent your views, challenges and successes.

🪓An Intro to Woodwork 🪓 Just under 2 weeks to go!! This course will help you learn basic woodworking skills and safe practices, enabling you to implement woodworking activities safely with the children and young people in your setting.

Are you a teacher looking for valuable info on outdoor learning? @educationscotland.bsky.social  have published a booklet on finding space, and fitting outdoor learning into the curriculum. You can access this fantastic resource here: https://education.gov.scot/media/0fklf35p/hwb24-ol-support.pdf

With an excess of children's books in stock right now, @edicommunitybooks.bsky.social  are giving back to the community by donating children's books to local charities and children's groups.  If you'd like to receive a donation for your project or group, contact [email protected]

📢Upcoming Training & Networking! Our half day course will explore the benefits of fire play, how to light a fire, fire safety and play skills.  🔥 Fire Skills Training 🌏 Fife 📅 April 29th, 10:30am ➡️ https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/fire-skills-training-fife-29-april-2026-tickets-1916737325939

Join YMCA Kirkcaldy and the Gallatown Community Hub this Saturday, 18th April for a Spring Spruce Up. Bring along the family to help clear up the garden and wild play space. Includes lunch and family friendly activities throughout the day!

🐣🐰Happy Easter! 🐰🐣 We hope you have a fun filled and playful weekend! Looking for a craft idea? Why not try making your very own Easter Bonnet👒 We'd love to see your creations.

Play Chat: All Things Play - Playful Bumps! 🤰 Join us for an online, informal discussion about play, with a special focus on prenatal engagement.

"📢 FREE membership is open to all projects & individuals in Scotland that meet our criteria! 🤸‍♀️  Whether you're an existing service, setting up, or need some ideas on running your play project or activity, we can help!  Get in touch with us today! #playinscotland #networking #membersupport

#SpringCleanScotland 26 will be held between 13 March & 24 April 2026. This month long campaign brings people together from across all Scotland to tackle litter and help keep their local community spaces clean and tidy.

🚨PlayTalkRead – Join Our Team!🚨 We are super excited to share we are recruiting for 2 Play Practitioners to join our wonderful PlayTalkRead team! ⏰CLOSING DATE – 23rd March 2026 For more details and how to apply click on the link below⬇️ www.smartplaynetwork.org/recruitment

Using a photo or two is the best way to capture your audience's attention on social media, but it's really important that you have the right permission to share. Here are some key things for you to remember about photo consent:

🎉 It's WORLD BOOK DAY!! 📖 One of our favourite days of the year, where everyone gets to dress up, celebrate our favourite stories, and have fun reading and playing! We'd love to see everyone costumes and activities 👀 https://www.worldbookday.com/

📢 UPCOMING TRAINING!!  We have some fantastic training opportunities coming up in the next few months:

Just one week to go!! There's still time to sign up for our Toy Library Chat next Tuesday, 10th of March, 2pm.

📢 FREE membership is open to all projects & individuals in Scotland that meet our criteria! 🤸‍♀️  Whether you're an existing service, setting up or need some ideas on running your play project or activity, we can help!  #playinscotland #networking #membersupport

🥞Happy Pancake Day! 🥞 Here's some fun, tasty & playful activities to try today:

Does your setting lend toys or are interested in sharing toys with your community? Join us in two weeks for our Play Chat: Toy Libraries meeting! Meetings are informal and are open to any toy lending related questions and discussions. Grab a cuppa and join us online on the 24th of February at 2pm.

There's still time to share your thoughts on our 2026 Members Survey! Your feedback helps inform the resources & support we offer our members, and helps us learn how we can improve to best support you.  To complete our quick survey, click the link in the email we sent to you. Closes Feb 28th.

Happy World Read Aloud Day!  We would love to see some of your fun reading activities in celebration of World Read Aloud Day. 📚 Don't forget to tag us, or you can share in the comments below!  #worldreadaloudday #pathwaysthroughplay #readingtogether #booksarefun

Tomorrow we celebrate #worldreadaloudday ! 📚 Reading out loud is a great way to help children associate storytelling & books with something that is fun & enjoyable. You can introduce your child to new words, characters & ideas, sparking their curiosity & imagination. Here's some tips to remember:

📢 Would you like FREE access to resources, forums, e-learning & more?  Our resources, networking events, and training are designed to support play practitioners & organisations in Scotland.

Back in November we had a fantastic discussion with some of our members on supporting additional support needs in settings. There was so much to take away we wanted to share it with you, so we've put together an info sheet providing a quick insight on ways to support ASN families in your setting ⬇️

Tomorrow is #internationalplaydateday 🎉 Playing together: 💪 Builds crucial social, emotional, & cognitive skills 🤝 Fosters teamwork, communication, & empathy 💞 Strengthens relationships, boosts confidence, improves problem-solving, & promotes physical health

We’ve opened applications for our Whole Family Wellbeing Fund. Third sector and community organisations who support families, children and young people can apply for grants of up to £50,000. They must have a bank account. Applications close 31 January 2026. www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/news/2026/ap...

🗓️In two weeks we'll be kicking off our 2026 Play Chat series with a discussion about play in community spaces. 🌐Join us online to discuss challenges and avenues to develop play in community spaces. 👉Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1963257098832

Welcome back! We would love to hear your plans for the new year. Do you have any news or exciting new projects in the works? Remember we're here to help. If there's anything we can support you with to get 2026 off to a successful start, get in touch!

Everyone at Smart Play Network would like to wish you all a wonderfully playful Christmas time, and a very Happy New Year 🎄⛄🎆 We look forward to working with you all in 2026!

🎄12 Days of Play 🎄Day 12! A message from our CEO Lesley Fox: As we celebrate this year, let us remember that the greatest gifts cannot be wrapped or placed under a tree. They are found in the laughter of our children, the warmth of shared stories, and the strength of the relationships we build.

🎄12 Days of Play 🎄Day 11! Oban Toy Cupboard #2025Highlights #12daysofchristmas #celebratingplay

🎄12 Days of Play 🎄Day 10! European Toy Libraries Conference This year we were proud to represent Scotland at the 29th European Toy Libraries Conference in beautiful Naples!

🎄12 Days of Play 🎄Day 9! Pathways Through Play Pathways delivers visits to settings to support speech & language development through stories and play. Their highlight for the year was visiting Argyll & Bute & the lovely communities and nurseries #2025Highlights #12daysofchristmas #celebratingplay

🎄12 Days of Play 🎄Day 8!  Smart Play Rangers Our Edinburgh Play Rangers' highlight was making the most of a windy day and creating kites out of sticks and rubbish bags. #2025Highlights #12daysofchristmas #celebratingplay

🎄12 Days of Play 🎄Day 7! St Catherine's Primary #2025Highlights #12daysofchristmas #celebratingplay

🎄12 Days of Play 🎄Day 6! Visit to Home-Start Lorn in Oban! Slightly different highlight style today - back in September Bonnie the bus visited Home-Start Lorn, and we loved visiting and getting to know the families in Oban area!  #2025Highlights #12daysofchristmas #celebratingplay

🎄12 Days of Play 🎄Day 5! West Lothian College Our second member highlight this week is West Lothian College and their PDA Education Assistant class. They are proud of their buddy mentorship system and supporting ASN school programmes with students #2025Highlights #12daysofchristmas #celebratingplay

🎄12 Days of Play 🎄Day 4! Baltic Street Baltic Street Adventure Playground love outdoor play & letting children learn through play. They've had a busy year, with lots of messy play, and an impressive amount of lunches given out to children. #2025Highlights #12daysofchristmas #celebratingplay

🎄12 Days of Play 🎄Day 3: Play Plus Toy Library! #2025Highlights #12daysofchristmas #celebratingplay

🎄12 Days of Play 🎄Day 2! Play on Wheels Play on wheels is a Fife-based mobile play project supporting groups and organisations around Fife. A 2-woman team full of fantastic ideas, had a highlight each - see their highlights and tip for 2026 in the images below!

🎄12 Days of Play🎄Day 1: Training! #2025Highlights #12daysofchristmas #celebratingplay