The  much awaited 2021 has arrived and presents us with many opportunities to start a fresh. At Play Australia we are gearing up for a new year of renewed engagement and, of course, a lot more play!

We will be launching a range of new programs, revitalising our #1000 Play Streets, working more closely with our members, and so much more. 

So from the team at Play Australia, we say Happy New Year, and we can't wait to get started. 

"Your present circumstances don't determine where you can go. They merely determine where you start." Nido Qubein

The Play Australia 2 day Play Space Training is an essential professional development session for 2021!

Specifically developed for the play industry, to support the quality design, development and management of play spaces in Australia.

Book your 2021 professional development now.  

Training sessions:
March 24 to 25
June 16 to 17
August 11 to 12
October 20 to 21

Play Australia is pleased to present our NEW Online Learning Series for 2021. These sessions are unique opportunities to connect with experts and discuss topical issues in play, risk and play space development.

This is a series developed specifically for Play Australia members and special events will be open for non-members as well.

Keep your eyes out for more details and training schedule coming to your inbox soon! 

The International Play Association is hosting a free six-week webinar series for IPA members beginning 27 January 2021. The series includes 6 x two hour sessions presenting: 

* Play at Home
* Play at School and Using the Arts
* Play in the Community 
* Rethinking Play Environments 
* Empowering Play in the Digital Age 
* Government and NGO Responses to Supporting

A great opportunity to hear from leading international play experts.  

Start this new year with a commitment to build the national voice for play!

Play Australia continues to be a proud member organisation and we are excited to increase our advocacy efforts alongside our members to promote the value of play.

From January 2021, we have launched a new Play Australia membership model. There are increased Member benefits and a simpler approach that better supports our present and future Members.  

Join the national peak body that supports the rights of all children in Australia to #PlayToday. 

We wanted to share this terrific article recently published in The Conversation - Birds that play with others have the biggest brains - and the same may go for humans. 

Research of Australian native birds have indicated that those who 'played with others (known as social play) had the largest brain mass, relative to body size, and even the longest lifespans. The results suggest play behaviour may be an important driver in the evolution of large brains in a number of species, including humans.'