On June 11, 2025, the second International Day of Play was celebrated across the world. This year’s theme, “Choose Play – Every Day,” reminds us all to make daily choices that value and prioritise play in children’s lives.
To mark this important day, we invited all our partners to celebrate with the children they work with. These celebrations could take any form, playing with children in their communities in joyful and meaningful ways, sharing a quote or message about what play means to them, or creating drawings or signs with children to show the value of play.
Ethiopia
In Ethiopia, the day was celebrated in the South Gondar Zone, Farta District, at the Maynet Play Hub. The event was organised by the Farta Woreda Health Office, our partner WCAT, and Maynet Health Center. Children, young mothers, parents, ECD committee members, health professionals, religious leaders, and local representatives all joined the celebration.
Families came together to enjoy music, sports, games, and storytelling. Children played with toys and different play materials, and also took part in Meharebe, a traditional game that means “Have you seen my scarf?”. Elders and religious leaders shared folk tales and stories, passing on wisdom and joy through the power of play.
Uganda
In Uganda, celebrations were held at the Bubaka Play Hub in the Iganga District. The day was full of laughter, movement, and discovery, as Nascent RDO-U joined the global celebration of the International Day of Play.
A total of 153 children (ages 0–8) and 87 caregivers participated, highlighting the community’s commitment to child-centred learning through joyful play. Activities included sack races, bottle bowling, painting, clay modelling, and dancing. Locally available materials such as banana fibres, recycled bottles, and clay were used to show that play doesn’t require expensive toys, just creativity, time, and care.
Caregivers were inspired to try similar activities at home. One caregiver shared,
“Through play, I connect with my child and understand her better.”
Alongside the children’s activities, caregivers also took part in discussions about the importance of play in early childhood.
Nepal
In Nepal, the International Day of Play was celebrated in many different ways by our partner CWIN Nepal.
At the Girls’ Peace Home, the girls played games outdoors and created drawings about play. The day was filled with laughter and happiness, celebrating the joy that fills their daily lives. Every child deserves the chance to play, dream, and grow in peace.
At the CWIN Nepal head office, staff took a break from their daily work to play games and dance together. It was a reminder that play is important for everyone, not just children!
At Child Helpline Nepal in Rupandehi, children stayed indoors to play due to the summer heat. They enjoyed a creative drawing session that helped spark their imagination and support their emotional well-being in a safe and caring space.
In the Dolakha office, children and teachers from local schools took part in outdoor games and activities. This playful day also stood as a symbol of resilience and hope. CWIN Nepal played a key role in rebuilding 21 schools in Dolakha after the 2015 earthquake.
Italy
In Italy, our partner Cubo Libro celebrated the day by organising play activities at their Play Hub. Their message was “Il gioco è una cosa seria”, which means “Play is a serious matter.” Play is essential for children, as it supports their physical, emotional, social, and mental development. Drawing sessions and games were held, and both children and adults enjoyed a fun and meaningful day together.
Slovenia
To commemorate the International Day of Play, our Slovenian partner, Educational Research Institute, shared two beautiful contributions. One was a reflection from a preschool teacher:
“I see play in a child’s life as something essential and irreplaceable—something that must not be missing from childhood. Through play, the child gains a wealth of experiences and learns how to place themselves among others in the world. They encounter a wide range of emotions, learn to share, to receive, to give, to wait, and to stand up for themselves. They become more skilled at resolving conflicts and sharing joyful moments. In the process, they come to know themselves and others.”
— Ms. Tina Pajnič, preschool teacher, VVZ Kekec Grosuplje
The second was a poem shared by Ms. Petra Prevec, preschool counsellor, VVZ Kekec Grosuplje:
I tried to reach a child with words,
but they went in one ear and out the other.
I tried to connect through books,
but was met only with confused stares.
Desperate, I turned inward and cried out:
“How can I reach this child?”
Then the boy whispered softly in my ear:
“Come, play with me.”
From Ethiopia to Italy, from Nepal to Uganda, and all the way to Slovenia, the International Day of Play brought communities together to honour the importance of play. These are just a few examples of how our partners celebrated this special day in joyful and meaningful ways.
These celebrations remind us that play is not just fun, it is essential for every child’s growth, learning, and happiness. Play brings people together. It breaks down barriers, builds trust, sparks creativity, and nurtures curiosity. Play is the main way that children learn.
Let us continue to choose play, every day.
