After a successful national launch of 1000 Play Streets our free Tool Kit, for Australian Local Government, is now available to download here.   

1000 Play Streets is a movement to reconnect our socially-isolated communities as we look toward COVID-19 recovery and to encourage more play for all, on our quiet residential streets.

Our next Online Learning Series is starting on Thursday 7 October. 

So put these dates in your diary now!

Thursday 7, 14, 21, 28 October and 4 November. Each week we will be presenting experts in their fields, as they discuss relevant and important issues relating to play. 

Watch your inbox for registration details very soon! 

Barb Champion, Play Australia Executive Director, provides some insights and information on children's need to experience risk for the benefit of their development and wellbeing. 

The National Sports & Physical Activity Convention (NSC) has just announced that this year’s event, scheduled 9-11 November, has been realigned to meet the current challenges and industry’s needs during COVID.

NSC21 has transitioned from a 2.5 day program to a five-stream virtual conference and networking event. 

The Lancet launches its third Series on physical activity and states not enough progress has been made to improve physical activity worldwide, to meet WHO’s physical activity guidelines.

"The COVID-19 pandemic has a reciprocal relationship with physical activity. Lockdowns and restrictions are likely to have decreased physical activity levels, whilst people who are physically active are less likely to experience severe symptoms and hospitalisations from COVID-19."

Well, we all know that Spring is the season when our gardens renew and it's a great time for planting. So, let's get our play spaces growing! Here's some inspiration. 

How to Grow a Playspace is edited by Katherine Masiulanis and Elizabeth Cummins and takes you through a global perspective of the different stages of childdevelopment and the environments that engage children in play around the world.

The People and Parks Foundation is calling on everyone to make a #NaturePact, and to feel thedifference in their mood, energy and wellbeing when spending time outside in fresh air.

'Time spent with nature makes us healthier, happier, and better connected to what each one of us is born a part of – life on earth. So, this September, schedule some time with nature every day, grab a friend (or fur-friend!) and head outside for your daily #NaturePact.'

Campference is the intiative of Nurture in Nature.  

Described as an immersive and interactive online conference where participants will explore many ways that stories and nature can combine to provide you with practical ideas, resources, tools and inspiration and powerfully enrich your teaching and learning practice.

Play Australia Members come from diverse backgrounds including:

• Urban Designers and Landscape Architects
• Playground Designers and Manufacturers
• Artists and Horticulturalists
• Early Years and Schools
• Researchers and Students
• Local Government and State Government

Search our Membership Directory to find support for your next play project in your State or Territory.

PS - Members, if you haven't submitted your details yet, email info@playaustralia.org.au and we'll get you started! 

Become a Play Australia member now, to help us protect the rights of children in Australia to ‘play today’. Membership starts from as little as $22 p/yr for a student OR $66 p/yr for an individual.

Benefits include:

• access to quarterly online Play Today PD sessions
• be profiled on our Membership Directory
• receive our Member Newsletter and Special Bulletins…and much more!

View our full list of benefits here to find the Membership package that is right for you.