On 11 June 2026, Australia joins more than 100 countries around the world to celebrate International Day of Play.
This year's theme is “Protect Play, Protect Childhood.” It is a call to action for every individual, organisation and government to stand up for children's right to play, and in doing so, to protect childhood itself. Play is not a luxury. Under Article 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Australia ratified more than 35 years ago, every child from birth to 18 has a legal right to play, rest and leisure. That right belongs to toddlers and teenagers alike.
Yet in Australia today, one in three children is not getting the play they need. Childhood is being squeezed by overcrowded schedules, screens, and shrinking spaces. The science is clear: in just 30 minutes of play, one third of the neurons in a child's brain are changed. Play literally grows brains, and it builds the resilience, creativity, empathy and physical health that children carry with them for life.
Play Australia is taking action. We are writing to political and community leaders across the country and distributing this Advocacy Kit to our members. We are asking OSHC and all children's services, schools and early childhood settings to take the #31MinuteChallenge, adding an extra 31 minutes of free, unstructured play to their day, in honour of Article 31, and joining the UK and Ireland in this call.
An ideas sheet is available for services and schools wanting more ways to commemorate the day.
We are also launching the Churchill Fellowship Report by our CEO Robyn Monro Miller, Weaving Play into the National Fabric.
For more resources check out https://www.playaustralia.org.au/international-day-play
Every voice multiplied across communities becomes a movement leaders cannot ignore.
Yours Playfully, Robyn x
Robyn Monro Miller AM
CEO | 
