11/06/2026
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PLAY
Today we celebrate the power of play.
Play is not just downtime for children - it is how they learn, grow, explore, and make sense of their world.
What many people don't realise is that stressed children often struggle to play. When a child's nervous system is overwhelmed, curiosity, creativity, and imagination can take a back seat to simply trying to cope.
In play therapy, we see how children use play to communicate. They often play what they cannot say. Through stories, drawings, games, and imaginative adventures, children express feelings and experiences that may be difficult to put into words.
And when we talk about play, we're not talking about hours spent online. We're talking about the messy, muddy, tree-climbing, fort-building, dress-up, make-believe, adventure-creating kind of play that helps children develop emotionally, socially, and cognitively.
So today, let's make time for play.
And while we're at it, let's not forget that adults need play too. Laughter, creativity, hobbies, games, adventure, and moments of silliness aren't luxuries - they're important for our wellbeing.
What playful practices do you have in your life? We'd love to hear them in the comments.
# internationaldayofplay
