Play is one of the most transformative forces in a child’s life. It helps children make sense of the world around them, express their hopes and emotions, build relationships, and develop the skills they need as they grow.

Yet millions of children don’t get the chance to play. Global research shows that 78% of children say adults don’t always think play is important, and 73% feel adults don’t take it seriously.

That’s why every year on June 11, people around the world celebrate the International Day of Play. It’s a day to bring people together to recognize the essential role of play and to encourage everyone to make space for play in children’s lives.

What is the International Day of Play?

In March 2024, the United Nations declared the International Day of Play, supported by 140 member states. Right To Play helped lead the global campaign, grounded in the belief that play is a fundamental right and essential to children’s learning and development.

Around the world, children are losing access to safe, joyful moments of play as conflict, disaster, poverty, gender inequality, and social exclusion increasingly shape their daily lives. These pressures disrupt childhood, limit learning, and heighten stress, especially for children who are displaced or facing trauma.

But play is one of the most effective ways children learn, cope with stress, and build skills to meet life’s challenges.  As children face mounting learning loss and emotional distress due to conflict, displacement and the climate crisis, it’s more important than ever to push for play to be prioritized by governments and leaders worldwide.

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How Does Play Transform Children's Lives?

Play is children's language. It's how they navigate the world, communicate their feelings and discover their strengths. In every stage of childhood, through to adolescence and beyond, play influences how children learn, heal, connect with others, and build skills that help them grow into capable adults.

When we nurture children’s growth with play, we help them build the confidence and strength they need to rise to today’s challenges and create positive change for the world around them.

Participate in International Day of Play 2026

Play changes everything. It's how children learn, heal, and find hope, even in the world's most challenging places.

This June 11, we're inviting you to experience that power for yourself. From a 15-second video to a 10-minute team break, your participation sends a powerful message: that play isn't a luxury, it's a necessity.

Here's how you can get involved:

Take the challenge – Share a photo or a 15-second play video, tag @RightToPlay_Switzerland and challenge someone else to do the same.

Host a 10-minute Play Break – Bring you team, classroom or community together on June 11. Share your moment and tag us on LinkedIn: @Right To Play Switzerland

Amplify the message – Like, follow and share content from Right To Play