Cardboard Box Day is a national initiative designed to celebrate the power of simple, child-led play in the early years. It's free to take part and only requires a cardboard box - a fantastic example of loose parts play. 📦 More info: www.early-years-reviews.com/cardboard-bo... #PlayMattersBoxDay

Join us at PlayDate on Sat 6 June for a fun & free event to celebrate International Day of Play! Our Play Pedagogy Lead, Fiona Kirkland, will present and explore play pedagogy in practice, sharing insights on engaging and meaningful approaches to play in schools: www.eventbrite.com/e/playdate-t...

Researchers at Queen Margaret University are looking to hear from UK-based professionals, including teachers and early years practitioners, about their attitudes towards different types of nature play. 📋 Take part here: app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/qmu/play-r...

▶ The latest ep of Play Well podcast is out! We spoke with Margaret and Kerry at Baltasound Junior High School, and heard all about their journey as a Play Pedagogy Award pilot school and their insights into the impact of play on children in the primary years. www.spreaker.com/episode/54-b...

With only 3 weeks to go until International Day of Play, we're thrilled to see how many of you are getting involved! We would love to know how you're celebrating! Let us know in the comments! 👇 Don't forget to register if you haven't already: www.playscotland.org/internationa...

The Arabic translation of the IPA Play in Situations of Crisis Toolkit launches online on 20 May. The resource aims to support children’s right to play in Palestine and beyond, with first-hand insights from Palestinian team members creating opportunities for play amid the devastation in Gaza.

Join us on 5th August to celebrate Playday! This year we're highlighting the importance of creating opportunities for children to play *wherever* they are.

This week is #MentalHealthAwareness week, and there's no better time than now to share the impact play can have on children's mental health. Play encourages children to: 👇

21 May is Outdoor Classroom Day, a global movement to create more awareness around the importance of time outdoors, especially for children. "What should we do?" we hear you ask! You've come to the right place. Find a list of our outdoor play resources for inspiration: linktr.ee/playscotland

11-16 May is Scottish Childminding Week! Among the many ways childminders provide vital support, they also play a crucial role in fostering play-based learning, enabling the child's right to play. A well-designed play environment supports children’s:

How are you planning on incorporating the #InternationalDayofPlay into your school day this June? Two ways are to make extra time for play at lunch, or play a Stay & Play after school. 🤸‍♀️ What are you planning on doing? www.playscotland.org/internationa...

Iain Monteith, Director at Loader & Monteith Architects, talks us through his world of play growing up, difficulties he faced, and how his memories and experiences help to guide his architectural work www.playscotland.org/news/

Do you want to be kept in the loop about all things Play? All you need to do is read our newsletter 📩 We send it once a month, it's free, and we promise there's no spam 😎 www.playscotland.org/about/member...

What if Playgrounds weren't designed to be completely safe, but instead designed to evoke creativity & imagination? Artist and engineer Mike Hewson is challenging the way we think about play, designing raw, surprising, intergenerational spaces where a little risk is the whole point. 1/2

Our Learning & Development Officer and OPAL Mentor, Alex, is running the London Marathon later this month! Alex is running in support of Starlight Children's Foundation, to help bring the healing power of play to children in healthcare settings. Help us support: www.playscotland.org/play-in-heal...

Play Scotland has a vibrant, enthusiastic, and committed Board of Directors who meet regularly. We have some exciting new additions from diverse backgrounds that we would love you to meet! 👇 www.playscotland.org/about/board-...

Play is beneficial to children in more ways than one. It helps them learn, but its impacts are far greater than that. It: 🌳 Helps build a strong body, enabling physical skills and coordinated movements 🌳 Builds on language development, problem-solving, memory, and creativity 1/2

Breaking News: All Play Parks in Scotland to be Converted into Car Parks Every space currently used for children’s play will instead be used for parked cars. Say goodbye to children laughing, playing and having fun and all of the development and skills that brings.

Get tickets for our next training! 💡 Learn about developing a play policy in your primary school to support and implement a play pedagogy approach 👇 More information and tickets: www.playscotland.org/schools-chil...

🎈Wed 28 October, 5:30 – 8pm  🎈Play Scotland Strategy Launch  🎈Heart of Midlothian FC, Edinburgh  We are delighted to invite you to our strategy launch party! Featuring a drinks reception and keynote speaker, we are excited to share with you our plans to champion every child’s right to play.

On 11 June marks the International Day of Play, a global celebration of the power of play We’re joining @playscotland.bsky.social in promoting a joyful day that puts children’s voices, wellbeing, & rights at the heart of learning #InternationalDayofPlay www.playscotland.org/internationa...

🌱 The April cohort for the Play Pedagogy Award is now open! What started as a pilot has grown quickly with over 50 schools across 20 local authorities in Scotland participating. 1/2

“Children are somehow calmer under a tree. I’ve noticed, again and again, their mood changes for the better." Read about this wonderful example of the benefits of outdoor play! 👇 www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/lei...

The #InternationalDayofPlay is on 11th June, and we would love all schools to get involved! 🥳 It's free, and most of the prep work has been done; all you need to do is register and have an extra playful day! www.playscotland.org/internationa...

“If they are to enjoy and benefit from play, children need time to play, sufficient space to move around fast and freely, and an environment that offers a wide variety of experiences" - Getting it Right for Play: The Power of Play www.playscotland.org/resources/pr...

📩 Do you receive Play Scotland's newsletter? It delivers updates on all things PLAY to your inbox at the beginning of every month. Sign up as a member to receive the newsletter & access the discount code on all training! 📌 No spam! www.playscotland.org/about/member...

💬 Have your say! Join us to contribute to the National Occupational Standards for Playworkers consultation. Wed 18 March 10am – 12pm Book your place now: www.playscotland.org/playwork-nat...

During our #LitterPickandPlay projects, we gained more of an understanding around barriers children face when exercising their right to play. One of these barriers is the cleanliness & safety the environment. 1/3

🎈 Tell your friends: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟭𝘁𝗵 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲! It is a global celebration of the power of play in children's lives. 🪁Take part in a joyful day that puts children's wellbeing, voice, and rights at the heart of learning. 1/2

We have a brand new blog up on the website, all about Trauma Informed Practice and Play! Among many other things, Erin is a play therapist and lecturer based in Scotland with a background in early years. 1/2

🎉 ICYMI: @together-sacr.bsky.social has published the new State of Children's Rights Report! Our case study is included in the report, which dives in to how we produced our Play Vision Statement and Action Plan. 📰 You can find the plan itself pinned on our page, and the report in full below 👇

Happy Spring! What are your favourite things to do outside at this time of year? 🌿🌳🌷

We are excited to share that a new State of Children's Rights Report has been published by our friends at @together-sacr.bsky.social We were proud to collaborate with the Scottish Government to develop Scotland’s Play Vision Statement and Action Plan, which sets out the vision and actions 1/3

Did you know that play is a vital component to ensuring children's positive health and wellbeing? Did you know that an always active uniform significantly increases physical activity across student groups? 1/2

📌 Book early for our next delivery of training for Early Years Practitioners. This session will answer: ❔ Your curiosities around differences between play across genders 🟣Why these differences exist 💛How to support different play experiences. www.playscotland.org/schools-chil...

"Designing for play means listening to those who live with it's absence" (Professor Sukanya Krishnamurthy, Trustee of PS, 2019-25) Voices of children and young adults with Additional Support Needs is crucial when designing and maintaining play spaces. We need to understand what is needed 1/2

Fiona, our Play Pedagogy Lead, is presenting on-demand at the IPA USA Virtual Conference About Play, available to watch now. She shares Scotland’s work embedding play pedagogy in primary schools, with insights on children’s rights, inclusion & wellbeing. Register via the QR code.

How is everyone managing with the ice and snow we've had recently? Whether or not children are off for a snow day, it offers opportunity for risky, outdoor play, and it's free! All you need is warm clothes and the fresh air to let the imagination run wild. www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/play...

The Annual Playwork Awards are taking place on the 2nd & 3rd March this year. Play is vital to the health and wellbeing of children, and these awards are designed to recognise and celebrate those that deliver play!

"Part of learning prudence and wisdom is the freedom to make decisions, including the wrong ones". 💡 Play is the same. Monkey bars are a curious child's best friend, let's encourage children to imagine, assess their surroundings, take a small risk, and have fun! 🎉 ifstudies.org/blog/recess-...

Come along to our Loose Parts Play training on 12th February! 📦 Learn how to instil an imaginative approach to play that allows children to explore, learn, and play with simple, everyday objects! 🧹 www.playscotland.org/schools-chil...

Stop missing out on Play Scotland's newsletter 🗞 delivering updates on all things play to your inbox at the beginning of every month. Sign up as a member to receive the newsletter & access the discount code on all training! 📌 No spam! www.playscotland.org/about/member...

The Scottish Government is consulting on updates to school premises regulations to help ensure schools are safe, accessible and support children’s learning, wellbeing and play. The consultation is open until Tuesday 24th March and your input is imperative! consult.gov.scot/learning-dir...

Play parks are at their best when everyone can get involved, just like all play. This family in Nottinghamshire has recently had a new accessible play park installed, which means little Rupert can now join in with his siblings at the playground, a wonderful story! www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Fiona Kirkland, our Play Pedagogy Lead, showcases the work of Play Scotland and speaks to students about the importance of play, loose parts and the child’s right to play at West Lothian College Children and Young People’s Rights Conference #Article31 #moreplayplease #playeveryday

What does the future hold for play in Scotland and beyond? Join our CEO Mary Ramsay, Tim Gill, Tam Baillie and Prof John McKendrick for the final session of Upstart's Born to Play book club series: a Q&A to explore where play is headed 📍

Join us, alongside Education Scotland and Police Scotland on Wednesday 25 February from 5:30-6:30pm to hear all about how we can help keep ourselves and our children and young people safe online. Sign up here: www.eventbrite.com/e/cyber-scot... #cyber #onlinesafety #children #youngpeople

Has your school signed the active uniform pledge? Make play times easier by ensuring an always-active uniform! 👇

🌿🔥 “Gie me ae spark o' Nature's fire, That's a' the learning I desire.” – Robert Burns Through play in nature, children learn by exploring, imagining, and problem-solving. Let’s keep the spark alive by protecting time, space and opportunities for children to play outdoors.

💸 January can feel tight – but play doesn’t have to cost a penny ✏️📄 With just pen and paper, you can enjoy hours of fun: 🎲 Play noughts and crosses, or other paper games 🖍️ Make up a comic or cartoon 🗺️ Draw a treasure map and invent an adventure Let’s celebrate low-cost, no-cost play 💛