This year’s Virtual National Playday will be a very different event but the aim is still the same – to get children and young people to play for play’s sake in the great outdoors.
The theme this year is Let’s Play Inside Out! Due to Covid-19 restrictions Dublin City Council cannot host events in the city’s parks but the public are invited to join us online for Creative Play suggestions and lots more activities for families and children to engage with.
On Saturday 4th July 2020 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. you are invited to log onto the Council’s Playday Web Page at bit.ly/DCCPlayDay and join in the virtual Play Space where you will find lots of information and videos on how to play creatively.
Speaking about National Playday, newly elected Lord Mayor Hazel Chu says “The importance of play should not be underestimated when it comes to children. We have all experienced at firsthand the effects of the recent restrictions on families and, in particular, young children and it highlighted the importance of public parks and open spaces where children could play. I am happy to give my support to this year’s National Playday and encourage families to check out the website and to take part.”
The Play Space will contain a variety of ‘how to’ videos showing various games and activities for children. The main focus of this virtual Playday is to support children and young people to create their own play spaces and games and enjoy the fun and excitement of building a den, hide n seek, playing with the arts, magic, creating stories, dress up and lots more.
Debby Clarke, Play Development Officer with Dublin City Council says “This year’s Playday will be very different but the message remains the same. We want children to enjoy the magic of play whether it’s at home, in gardens, local parks and greens or on the streets. We want to bring back the sound of children playing to Dublin’s streets and communities by making the ‘right to play’ a reality every day”
Families are invited to share images or short videos of the creative and fun ways they celebrate National Playday 2020 by uploading them on Facebook at Let-Children-Play
Play Packs to assist families in getting creative are available free of charge (stocks are limited though). For details of how to request one, email [email protected] or check out Facebook Let-Children-Play
A handy resource booklet with lots of helpful tips and ideas on games for families to use to support their children’s play is available to download at bit.ly/DCCPlayDay or request a hard copy from E: [email protected]
