{"id":14085,"date":"2026-06-26T14:11:23","date_gmt":"2026-06-26T14:11:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gecco.org.uk\/blog\/?p=14085"},"modified":"2026-06-26T14:16:08","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T14:16:08","slug":"international-day-of-play-celebrating-imagination-joy-learning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gecco.org.uk\/blog\/2026\/06\/26\/international-day-of-play-celebrating-imagination-joy-learning\/","title":{"rendered":"International Day of Play: Celebrating Imagination, Joy &amp; Learning"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-article\">\n  <p>\n    Every year on <strong>11 June<\/strong>, the world celebrates the\n    <strong>International Day of Play<\/strong>, recognizing the importance of\n    play in the healthy development of children and young people.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <p>\n    Play is much more than entertainment\u2014it helps children learn, build\n    confidence, solve problems, strengthen friendships, and develop creativity.\n    It also supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals,\n    particularly <strong>SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being<\/strong> and\n    <strong>SDG 4: Quality Education<\/strong>.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <h2>Why Play Matters<\/h2>\n\n  <p>\n    Through play, children explore the world around them, discover new ideas,\n    express themselves creatively, and develop essential social and emotional\n    skills. Whether indoors or outdoors, independent or collaborative, play\n    creates opportunities for lifelong learning.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <h2>Books That Celebrate the Joy of Play<\/h2>\n\n  <ul>\n    <li><strong>Rain School<\/strong> by James Rumford \u2013 A story about community, teamwork, and learning together.<\/li>\n    <li><strong>Cloud Feather<\/strong> by Haider Ahmed \u2013 Encourages imagination, perseverance, and excellence.<\/li>\n    <li><strong>Big Eyes<\/strong> by Zheng Chunhua \u2013 A touching story about friendship, inclusion, and acceptance.<\/li>\n    <li><strong>The Clever Deer Gang<\/strong> by Corinne Morel Darleux \u2013 Demonstrates how teamwork and creativity can protect our planet.<\/li>\n    <li><strong>Vitya Maleev at School and at Home<\/strong> by Nikolai Nosov \u2013 Celebrates friendship, resilience, and the joy of childhood.<\/li>\n    <li><strong>Operation Magic Clock<\/strong> by Caty Guzm\u00e1n Rodrigo \u2013 Shows how cooperation and imagination help children solve challenges together.<\/li>\n  <\/ul>\n\n  <h2>Three Simple Ways Children Can Celebrate Today<\/h2>\n\n  <ol>\n    <li>\n      <strong>Make Time to Play<\/strong><br>\n      Spend time playing games, exploring outdoors, building something new,\n      reading, or creating stories with family and friends.\n    <\/li>\n\n    <li>\n      <strong>Use Your Imagination<\/strong><br>\n      Draw, paint, invent games, write stories, or create something unique.\n      Creativity grows when children are free to imagine.\n    <\/li>\n\n    <li>\n      <strong>Include Everyone<\/strong><br>\n      Invite others to join activities and games. Inclusive play helps build\n      friendships, empathy, respect, and a sense of belonging.\n    <\/li>\n  <\/ol>\n\n  <h2>Learn Through Play<\/h2>\n\n  <p>\n    Interactive educational games provide another exciting way to learn while\n    having fun. They encourage problem-solving, critical thinking, teamwork,\n    and environmental awareness through engaging experiences.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <h2>Remember<\/h2>\n\n  <p>\n    Play is not simply about having fun. It nurtures healthy minds, encourages\n    curiosity, supports emotional well-being, and helps children develop the\n    skills they need throughout life.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <p>\n    By making time for play every day, families, schools, and communities can\n    help children become happier, healthier, and more confident learners.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <h2>Happy International Day of Play!<\/h2>\n\n  <p>\n    Let's celebrate imagination, creativity, learning, and friendship through\n    play\u2014not just today, but every day.\n  <\/p>\n\n  <hr>\n\n  <p>\n    <strong>Source:<\/strong>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.un.org\/en\/observances\/international-day-of-play\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n      United Nations \u2013 International Day of Play\n    <\/a>\n  <\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Every year on 11 June, the world celebrates the International Day of Play, recognizing the importance of play in the healthy development of children and young people. 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