Get Ready for the 2025 International Day of Play in Nova Scotia!
Play is a right, not a privilege! On June 11, 2025, Nova Scotia is coming together for the International Day of Play(IDoP)—a celebration of movement, creativity, and connection. Whether you're in Halifax or a small community, there are free events, tools, and resources to help you bring the power of play to life.
The IDOP celebrates and raises awareness of the right to play, as enshrined in Article 31 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the most widely ratified human rights treaty.
What's Happening in Halifax?
Mark your calendars for June 7-8, 2025, leading to IDOP 2025 on June 11!
- Loose Parts Play Event – Use open-ended materials to build, explore, and create.
- Old Time PlayDay for Families – Tug-of-war, sack races, and classic playground fun.
- Play-Focused Film Screenings – Watch, learn, and be inspired by stories about the power of play.
- Free Resources & Tools – Everything you need to host an IDoP event in your community.
Bring IDoP to Your Community!
We're making it easy for Nova Scotia community groups and communities to join. Get our free IDOP 2025 Community Activation Kit packed with:
- Step-by-step event planning guide – Simple tools to get your event off the ground.
- Play activity ideas – Fun for all ages, from backyard games to large-scale play events.
- Ready-to-use digital promo materials – Posters, graphics, and social media content.
Meet the Champions of Play!
IDoP 2025 is powered by an incredible group of organizations working to bring play to every corner of Nova Scotia:
- Recreation Nova Scotia – Leading the charge for active communities.
- Halifax Regional Municipality – Supporting play-friendly spaces and local events.
- Halifax Regional Libraries – Hosting play-focused film screenings and activities.
- Build Nova Scotia – Helping make play happen in public spaces.
- Healthy Tomorrow Foundation – Championing the connection between play, physical activity, and health.
- Dalhousie University – Mobilizing student volunteers and research support.
- Discover Halifax – Spreading the word and showcasing play in our city.
- Downtown Halifax & Dartmouth Business Commissions – Engaging local businesses in play.
- PlayGroundology – Sharing stories and resources that celebrate the joy of play.
- Multicultural Playtime Society – Bringing culturally diverse play experiences to the forefront.
- International Play Association (IPA) Canada – Advocating for children's right to play.
- Association of Early Childhood Educators of Nova Scotia (AECENS) – Empowering early childhood educators to embrace play.
How You Can Get Involved
- Host an IDoP event in your community – We provide the tools, and you bring the fun.
- Volunteer or partner – Join forces with organizations across Nova Scotia.
- Spread the word – Use #IDoP2025 and #IDoP2025NovaScotia and share your play-filled moments.
Play Transformed Halifax: A Look Back at IDoP 2024!
The 2024 International Day of Play (IDoP) in Halifax was a big success, proving that when communities come together, play can transform lives! Families, educators, and community leaders joined forces to celebrate the power of play through dynamic, interactive experiences.
From the Old Time PlayDay at the Halifax Waterfront, where classic games brought generations together, to the Loose Parts Play Event, which
encouraged creativity and exploration, the city came alive with the energy of play.
Play-focused film screenings sparked conversations about the role of play in child development, while social media engagement amplified the movement across Nova Scotia.
With overwhelming enthusiasm and participation, IDoP 2024 set the stage for an even bigger and better 2025.
Play builds healthier, happier, and more connected communities. Whether you're a family, an educator, a business, or a community leader, you can join the movement.
Check back soon and visit our social channels to access your free resources and bring IDoP 2025 to life in your community.