International Day of Play
Celebrating the first UN International Day of Play - June 11, 2024!
This year, the UN General Assembly designated 11th June as the first annual International Day of Play. A campaign led by international foundations, NGOs, and the private sector was central to the realization of this day. The perspectives and insights of children from the Global South and North were an integral part of the strategy.
This newly recognised international day of celebration will continue to build awareness of the right to play, a right enshrined in Article 31 of the UN's Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the most widely ratified human rights treaty. More information here.
Play can be exhilarating at any age, but children are its biggest fans and greatest beneficiaries. Play is foundational for young people's understanding of the world around them, for their learning and development, and of course for fun. It is a conduit for powerful experiences of discovery, adventure and friendship. Social play helps to develop emotional intelligence and empathy which is key to forming good relationships with others, relationships which are vital to both personal and professional success later in life.
Join with others around the world and celebrate play in your community! As we look to celebrate this day in Nova Scotia, take a look at the events happening in 2024:
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Halifax Regional Municipality
Halifax Regional Municipality
Town of Kentville
Town of Truro Municipality of the District of Lunenburg |
Build NS hosts a series of events on the Halifax Waterfront
Old Time Play
Kentville Plays Pop-Ups
Online Education Proclamation & Online Education |
Sunday 9th June 10:00 am to 4:00 pm – the Greens at Salter, Halifax Waterfront - enjoy an urban backyard filled with yard games and volleyball 11:00 am to 1:00 pm – Container Stage, Foundation Wharf – Ekko Mindful Music Studio brings their boomwhackers and other fun, musical magic. 1:00pm to 1:20pm - Scotia Landing - HRM Councillor Pam Lovelace makes official pronouncement of International Day of Play 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm – Foundation Wharf – Multicultural Playtime Society come and learn children’s games from around the world while celebrating community and diversity in play. 1:00 pm to 3:00pm - Foundation Wharf - Join the Playeveryday Crew for some hands-on, analog fun and games. Get ready for races, tug og war, hula hoops, balancing and more. (NB: event photographers will be on site for this event) 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm – Container Stage, Foundation Wharf – Hello City Improv hosts a fun and interactive improv performance. Repeat screenings of 2 short documentary films: The Land (23 minutes) - play like you’ve never seen it before filmed at an adventure playground in Wales; and, This is why play is so important (15 minutes) – a short film with a strong focus on children and teenagers’ voices telling viewers what play means to them. 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm – 1st screening – BMO Community Room – Halifax Central Library 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm – 2nd screening – BMO Community Room – Halifax Central Library
Tuesday 11th June
Tuesday 11th June Tuesday 11th June |
Resources
International Day of Play - Campaign Website
International Play Association Canada - Detailed PlayDay Guide
Outdoor Play Canada - Resources for Parents
Recreation Nova Scotia - Why Outdoor Play Matters for Children
Funding Partners
Dalhousie University, Healthy Populations Institute
International Play Association - Canada
PlayGroundology
Other Supporting Partners
Build Nova Scotia
Halifax Public Libraries
Nova Scotia Active Smarter Kids (NS ASK)
Outdoor Play Canada
Recreation Nova Scotia