Playday

Play Scotland promotes the annual Playday celebration which traditionally takes place on the first Wednesday in August every year. Thousands of children and families take part in events across the UK

Playday is the annual celebration of children’s right to play – a national campaign where children and young people get out and play at locally organised events.

A steering group guides the national coordination of Playday. Current membership: Play Scotland, Play England, Play Wales, Playboard N.I., London Play, SkillsActive and Leeds Play Network.

Anyone can host a Playday event. These events can be public or private, big or small. To find out how to host an event visit www.playday.org.uk

Playday 2008 - Give us a go!

The Playday Give us a go! campaign will promote the benefits of allowing children to manage their own risks whilst playing, and aims to counter the risk-averse 'cotton wool' culture that is increasingly prevalent. We will be calling for children and young people to be allowed challenging and adventurous play opportunities as enjoyed by previous generations before them.

The title also highlights:

• Giving children and young people the same challenging play opportunities that us adults had when we were growing up.
• Children and young people's voice asking adults to give them a chance to make their own judgements.
• Evokes an exciting play opportunity with children keen to have a go.
• Children's voice, what they would say to each other whilst playing.
• Positive message.

The development of this year's theme and title follows consultation with Playday organisers, Playday update subscribers, children and young people, parents and wider play networks.

The Get organised! guide 2008 will be available shortly, providing advice on organising a Playday event and further guidance on this year's theme.

Play Scotland, Play England, Play Wales and Playboard N.I. will also be hosting Focus Groups on the Playday campaign. Play Scotland will host one on 24 April 2008 at our offices in Roslin. Should you wish to attend please contact Sharon on 0131 440 9070.

Further information can be found at www.playday.org.uk

Playday 2007

The theme for 2007 was:

Our streets too!

2007 was the twentieth anniversary of Playday, it was one of the biggest and best ever in Scotland and we would like to thank everyone who hosted an event.

Playday is partly about giving children, young people and families a great day out, but also aims to get some serious messages about play and children and young people across. Under the theme of Our streets too! there were some important messages to think about:

• children want and need to play in their local streets – and have the right to be there
• traffic and fear prevent children playing in their local streets and can place them in danger
• local streets should be planned, designed or adapted so that children and their families feel confident that they can play
• streets that are good for play are good for the whole community.

Although Playday is only one day, children and young people should benefit from being able to play in the streets near their homes all year round. To ensure this can happen, consider planning a longer-term campaign to follow on from your Playday event. Refer to the information sheet Developing a campaign in this pack to give you ideas about developing a local campaign.

Playday website – www.playday.org.uk

For copies of Playday Research see Research Section

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