"The simplest things often open the door to the richest opportunities" Read our latest blog about The Power of Playdough 💪 Written by our Play Pedagogy Award Officer, Fiona Kirkland www.playscotland.org/the-power-of...

There is still time to book your place at our Annual General Meeting! Tue 30 Sept 2-4:30pm, Nicholson Square Venues, Edinburgh. We will showcase some of our proudest achievements from the past year and hear directly from world-leading experts on play www.tickettailor.com/events/plays...

🚨 Just one week left! 🚨 Scotland's Play Park Survey closes at midnight on Mon 29th Sept, so make sure you get your responses in by then. Please share with families with children so we can learn more about what you need and want from your local play spaces 😃 forms.office.com/e/WkPx8TnJwW

We’re proud to support @ScottishYouthParliament 2026–2031 Manifesto: Dear Scotland’s Future. Based on the views of almost 5,000 young people from across Scotland, we're calling for youth-specific spaces in local communities. Read the full manifesto here: syp.org.uk/manifesto/ #DearScotlandsFuture

New speaker announcement! Karen Sharp will be speaking at our AGM about the power of play and the importance of playwork qualifications. Tue 30 Sep 2-4:30pm, Nicholson Square Venues, Edinburgh www.tickettailor.com/events/plays...

Are you booked for our Risky Play Training? Book your place now to learn: 🤔 What is risk–benefit assessment, and how it supports informed decision-making ⚖️ How to adopt a balanced, thoughtful approach to risk in your setting www.tickettailor.com/events/plays...

20% of children spend 7 hours every day on mobile phones and tablets 📱 That's according to a study from Wales this year, which also found 24% of children and teenagers across Wales report that they do not have enough time to play and would like more opportunities.

CEO Mary Ramsay was delighted to meet Natalie Don-Innes, MSP, Minister for Children, Young People & The Promise and representatives of EL Council to discuss the impact of the Play Park Renewal Fund which aims to provide inclusive play spaces for children. Please fill in the survey: lnkd.in/eigxmsVA

We're delighted to share our new training course on Gender and Play in the Early Years. What to expect: 📖 The latest research and theory 💬 Thought-provoking discussion and reflection 🛠️ Practical strategies to apply in your setting Book your place now: www.tickettailor.com/events/plays...

New Research: Play programme significantly reduces postnatal depression symptoms www.leeds.ac.uk/news-health/...

New Podcast Episode: Dr William Bird MBE, Getting Communities Active through Games and Play. www.spreaker.com/episode/50-d...

Have you booked your ticket yet for Introduction to Play Pedagogy for Primary Schools? Don't forget to use your member code to get 10% off this and all of our other training! Book now: www.tickettailor.com/events/plays...

We're putting the finishing touches to our monthly newsletter ✏️ Sign up for free to become a member of Play Scotland to receive play updates, discounts on training, and more! buff.ly/47kX9YU

Why are Always Active Uniforms so important? They help children move more, concentrate better, and have more fun! Find out more: www.playscotland.org/play-scotlan...

"Play is the highest expression of human development in children; it's the free expression of what is in a child's soul"  - Friedrich Froebel, pedagogue, 1782-1852

“The children here are so happy with Play based learning. Engagement is up across the entire school. We are instantly seeing accelerated progress and a huge growth in confidence”. Find out more about the Play Pedagogy Award: www.playscotland.org/schools-chil...

Save the Date! 🗓️ Play Scotland’s AGM & Play Seminar is nearly here! Expect big ideas, bold conversations, and inspiring voices on play. 🌟 Stay tuned for speaker announcements! www.tickettailor.com/events/plays...

🚨 New #PlayWellPodcast! Ep.47: Mental Health & Play 🎧 Fiona Kirkland chats with Becky Wilkinson-Quinn @place2becharity.bsky.social about how play & art therapy support children’s mental wellbeing. 👉 Listen here: www.spreaker.com/episode/47-m...

👵 The Value of Playwork for Care Home Residents Living With Dementia We're excited to read new findings from Chloe Bradwell and Mike Wragg that highlight the power of play and how it can support emotional wellbeing for residents. journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...

How often do you go to the park? How long do you stay? What would make it better? The Scottish Government want to hear from families across Scotland about their local play parks! Please share our short survey to support every child's right to play! forms.office.com/e/WkPx8TnJwW

Book your play training for September and October! Our schedule accommodates a variety of time slots to ensure there is something for everyone. Don't forget to use your member discount at checkout for 10% off! Book your place now: buytickets.at/playscotland

Adults in Scotland report playing out for over 3 hours a day. New research from Right to Play with OnePoll shows that adults in Scotland played out for an average of 3.36 hours every single day. What do you think has changed? righttoplay.org.uk/en-gb/nation...

Over 500 people joined us for #PlaydayAberdeen 2025! 🎉 ✅ 100% of families had fun 🎨 Messy play & crafts were top hits 🪁 Next year? More kites & sunshine! Read the full story ➡️ www.playscotland.org/over-500-peo...

Give your staff that superhero feeling! 💪 Play Scotland's OPAL programme empowers staff with the power of play ✨ Book your free discovery chat today: www.playscotland.org/schools-chil...

Brilliant day at Stenhousemuir PS, one our newest Play Pedagogy Award cohort schools. Alex & Fiona loved working with such an enthusiastic team, full of ideas & energy for developing Play Pedagogy approach across the school. Excited to see where their journey takes them! #PlayPedagogyAward

We are delighted to launch Getting it Right for Play - our updated play space assessment toolkit today for #Playday2025 Packed with useful tips and relevant case studies, our resource gives step-by-step advice and tools to assess and improve play spaces. www.playscotland.org/resources/ge...

Wishing everyone the best of luck with your exam results today! 🤞 Remember that play is a great way to destress and relax 🤸‍♂️ - everyone gets an A in play! 🅰️ 🥇

Had the opportunity to visit @BalticStreet with our visiting colleague Faith Breads. The Playground was absolutely buzzing with activity, & thank you to Alan for showing us around. A fantastic community organisation, supporting children and families health and wellbeing #moreplayplease #playeveryday

This Wednesday is Playday, and it's a perfect excuse to unplug and play together as a family! Play isn’t just for fun — it’s how children learn, grow, and thrive. No need for fancy plans, whether it's the garden, the local park, or just your street — get out and play! #Playday2025

“The opposite of play is not work. It’s depression.” - Brian Sutton-Smith, play researcher, 1924-2015 Find out more about the power of play: playscotland.org/learn/what-i...

Just one week to go until Playday! Join us in Duthie Park, Aberdeen, on Wednesday 6 August from 12-4pm Bring suncream 🌞 if the sun is out, and waterproofs if it is not! 🌧️ No need to book, just show up on the day and stay and play for as long as you like! www.playscotland.org/playday-aber...

Today is World Nature Conservation Day 🌲 🌊 🦋 Children have a right to play and a right to a clean environment! Check out our resources on play and the environment: www.playscotland.org/resource-cat...

📚 Schools might be on summer break—but it’s the perfect time to think play! 🏅 The Play Pedagogy Award recognises schools championing play as a powerful tool for learning. Celebrate your commitment to child-led learning through play! 🔗 Find out more: www.playscotland.org/schools-chil...

As a @together-sacr.bsky.social member, we're delighted to celebrate the launch of their new report created with The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Law School titled "Access to Justice for Babies & Young Children Across 12 Jurisdictions" togetherscotland.org.uk/media/4124/h...

Have your say about your local play park! The Scottish Government want to know about your local space to play - how often do you go, how long do you stay, and how could it be better? Fill in this short form by the end of August to take part: forms.office.com/e/WkPx8TnJwW

Play Scotland is delighted to announce that we are organising a Playday event in Aberdeen! Join us in Duthie Park, Aberdeen, on Wednesday 6 August from 12-4pm www.playscotland.org/playday-aber...

The summer holidays are halfway done! How much play can you squeeze into the next few weeks?

A playful moment at the Scottish Young Carers Festival 2025 Marketplace with Forces Children Scotland - young people made a “girly pop tree” 🌳 #playeveryday #moreplayplease

Delighted to be representing Play Scotland at the Scottish Young Carers Festival 2025 Marketplace at Fordell Firs Scout Centre, Dunfermline, highlighting the importance of play for all children and young people. A great event, so much going on! #playeveryday #moreplayplease

80% of children in the UK do not get their recommended 60 minutes of daily activity. Play isn’t just fun — it’s essential for health, happiness, and development ⚽🌿

Sticks, stones, cardboard - loose parts may look simple, but to a child, they're endless possibilities. Loose parts play encourages: 🎨 Creativity 🧠 Problem-solving 🤝 Cooperation 💭 Imagination www.playscotland.org/schools-chil...

What role do hobbies play in your child’s life? In Finland & Iceland, national policy supports children and young people to have free access to hobbies. Parenting across Scotland want to know if parents & carers in Scotland think this could work here! forms.office.com/e/NzC7BS9yTB #Hobbies

🎉 "Play is for young and old." 💬 Whether you're 4 or 84, play keeps us connected, curious, and alive with possibility. 🌈 Play is not just a childhood activity, it’s a human one. Photo from Scotland's Play Vision Statement and Action Plan: www.playscotland.org/policy/play-...

The Scottish Government want to know about your local play park! Responses will be used to evaluate and inform policy, so it's really important! 📝 Please take 7 minutes to fill in the survey: forms.office.com/e/WkPx8TnJwW

Calling all play champions! 🗣️ #Playday2025 is coming on 6 August. Let’s unite to celebrate play and its role in children’s lives. Find out how to get involved: 👉 www.playscotland.org/playday-2025...

We're putting the finishing touches to our monthly newsletter ✏️ Sign up to become a member of Play Scotland to receive play updates, discounts on training, and more! It's free! buff.ly/47kX9YU

"The best classroom and the richest cupboard is roofed only by the sky"  - Margaret McMillan, Nursery Education Pioneer, 1860-1931 Find out more about how to provide play and learning wholly or partially outdoors: www.playscotland.org/resources/my...

Happy Summer Holidays! ☀️ Why have a screen-filled summer when you could have a Summer of Play! Children need variety in their play for healthy and happy development 📖 🤸‍♀️ 🍃 What are your favourite summer play ideas?

Messy? Yes. 100% washable? Also yes. 🌧️ Mud play is more than dirt—it’s discovery. Children explore, imagine, and grow through every squelch and splash. 🌱 Sensory development 🧠 Creative thinking 💚 Emotional wellbeing Let them get muddy—it all washes off, but the benefits stick.

Our CEO is attending First Minister’s Leadership Event ‘Whole Family Support- Getting it Right Through Collaborative Leadership’ in Edinburgh, where the FM spoke about eradicating child poverty as the route to a sustainable economy & achieving all other outcomes #moreplayplease #playeveryday #UNCRC