LEGO has long celebrated play and the power of it with many campaigns, the last three years World Play Day has been a big part of that but today marks the first ever United Nations International Day of Play. As always it continues to highlight the importance of play, but on a global scale. So grab your LEGO bricks and start building, set aside some time with family and friends to play.

Of course it’s not limited to just LEGO, it could be anything related to play such as a boardgame or video game, but seeing as this is a LEGO news website we say why not grab a set from your backlog or a fresh set from the LEGO store and build & play.

Whatever you decide, enjoy!

Official details:

Everyone needs to play more – our future depends on it

The first International Day of Play is celebrated on June 11, 2024. On this day every year hereafter, the world will celebrate the power of play.

By Niels B. Christiansen, CEO, LEGO Group
Sidsel Marie Kristensen, CEO, LEGO Foundation

Play is never just play. Play is universal and taps into children’s natural enthusiasm and curiosity to learn. Play teaches children to explore, to wonder, to connect ideas and experiences and help them gain a deeper understanding of the world that surrounds them. When children play, they develop essential life skills such as creativity, confidence and resilience that help them thrive as they grow up.

Playing takes little more than picking up a stone or a stick. The only real investment is time. Yet, both parents and children indicate that the demand for children’s time away from play is increasing – with play time often being deprioritized.

In a recent survey of 25,500 children and 36,000 parents in 36 countries commissioned by the LEGO Group, 59% of parents indicated they worry that their children do not have enough playtime, do not have enough access to fun activities and worry that their child does not have enough playtime as a family.

Almost all children said play is important for their well-being. 91% of parents said that play improves their family’s overall wellbeing, and families who play rated their own happiness higher than those who don’t.

Yet, the average parent reported spending twice the amount of time by themselves on their electronic devices than they do playing with their family. 20% of parents surveyed said they never spend time playing as a family, mirroring 73% of children who think parents do not take play seriously.
These figures are worrisome because play is important for both the development and the well-being of children.

According to Centre on the Developing Child of Harvard University, 90% of a child brain’s development happens before the age of five, so those early years of development are extremely important. Much of the learning that goes on comes from play. And throughout childhood, play is a way for children to develop key life skills like creativity, confidence, and resilience that help them thrive.

We also know that play improves well-being. Both in moments of happiness and when facing challenges, children can find their way back to health and happiness, through play. Because of our jobs, we both frequently interact with children and parents when they play. The focus, joy and creativity unleashed never cease to amaze.

On a societal scale, economies are set to lose out on big social and economic benefits if early childhood development and play is not prioritised. A recent report by The Royal Foundation Business Taskforce for Early Childhood estimated that investing in early childhood in the UK could add up to £45.5 billion to the national economy each year.

Simply put, playing is natural, healthy and part of being human – but it is also fundamental to personal and societal progress.

This has long been recognised by the international community. Indeed, the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child, which almost all countries in the world have signed, recognises the right to play. And earlier this year, in a nod to the importance of this universally human activity, the UN General Assembly adopted an International Day of Play.

On 11 June this year, and every year hereafter, we will celebrate the power of play.

It’s a day to take stock, reflect and act. That is why today, we ask governments, organisations, schools and parents to:

• Prioritise the space and time children need to play.
• Improve resources and policies for educators, parents and caregivers to facilitate quality play.
• Increase access to quality play for children facing additional barriers such as special educational need and disabilities, poverty or conflict.

We ask you to join us in championing the cultural change needed and put play back on the agenda for kids everywhere. Our future depends on it.

Read through the official statement below and watch the official video for more details.

Official details:

UN signals importance of play by adopting official International Day of Play

• Global partners have successfully called on the United Nations to adopt an International Day of Play to champion and protect children’s right to play.
• The International Day of Play will be June 11th, with the inaugural celebration to take place in 2024.
• Global research surveying more than 25,000 children across 36 countries reveals that as many as 73% of children don’t believe adults take play – and how it can help them learn – seriously1.

Billund, March 26th 2024: Play is a fundamental right for every child. Yet, the importance of play in helping children develop life-long skills is often forgotten. With only 30% of adults aware that play is a fundamental birth right adopted by the United Nations (UN) in 19892 there is an urgent need to put play back on the agenda.

To drive this ambition forward, a dedicated network of global organisations, play experts and, most importantly, children and youth themselves, have called on UN member states to support the resolution for an International Day of Play. The LEGO Group, the LEGO Foundation and other founding members of the movement are proud to announce that the UN General Assembly has adopted this international awareness day.

Niels B. Christiansen, CEO of the LEGO Group said about the adoption: “We believe that all children should benefit from the power of play. For more than 90 years we have championed children’s right to play, as we know that it can change lives. It strengthens family bonds and helps children develop essential skills and reach their full potential. We have hosted our own World Play Day the past two years to celebrate the importance of play. Now, we are excited to turn it into a global movement to engage and impact even more children together with our partners. The adoption of an International Day of Play by the UN is a true testament to the power of play and the need to collectively champion and protect all children’s right to play.”

Sidsel Marie Kristensen, CEO of the LEGO Foundation added: “At the LEGO Foundation, our aspiration is for children to become creative, lifelong learners who thrive in a constantly changing world. We know that play fuels curiosity, sparks creativity, unlocks essential skills, boosts well-being and inspires a lifelong journey of learning. Play is the superpower of children, but not all children experience the benefits of learning through play. The challenge for all of us is to make play a part of every child’s reality. An International Day of Play is an important recognition of a child’s right to play. Let’s work together to ensure every child has the space and time to play and be the superheroes they are.”

Play is never just play

Play is universal and taps into children’s natural enthusiasm and curiosity to learn. It teaches them to explore and wonder, connect ideas and experiences and gain a deeper understanding of the world. When children play, they develop essential life skills, which are fundamental to their own and society’s progress.

Amine, Child and Youth Advisory Group member France, said: “Play is not just for fun. It’s an essential part of our human nature. It’s through play that we learn, grow, and develop skills that will shape our future.”

This is why the International Day of Play network of organisations are committed to driving a global play movement for children everywhere for generations to come. The work was initiated by the LEGO Group and the LEGO Foundation in partnership with ADEA, ARUP, BRAC, Change X, Concerned for Working Children, Eurochild, Hasbro, INGKA, International Play Association, IRC, KidZania, NIKE inc., PEDAL, Plan International, Right To Play International, Save the Children, Sesame Workshop and The Mattel Children’s Foundation.

The movement draws on further global insights3 revealing that, on average, three in five (59%) children would like to play more than they do now, whilst four in five (79%) of children would like to play more with their parents or carer. Research also shows that eight in ten (78%) of children say grown-ups don’t always think playing is important and seven in ten (73%) don’t believe grown-ups take play – and how it can help them learn – seriously4.

The world needs more play

UNICEF estimates that 160 million children around the world are working instead of playing or learning5. Yet, even in their darkest moments, children can find their way back to hope, health and happiness through play.

The adoption of a UN resolution for a day centered around play, takes children’s right one step further. It creates a unifying moment at global, national, and local levels to elevate the importance of play as central to children’s learning and wellbeing – ensuring time to play, space to play and support for quality play is prioritised.

The coalition of partners of International Day of Play is celebrating that this important movement has now been ratified, recognising the true power of play at the highest political level. We invite everyone to join us in celebrating the power of play on June 11th this year, and every year thereafter.