22 | Play for Wales | Winter 2021
Playday is the national day for play in the UK – celebrated on the first Wednesday is August for over 30 years. But, in recognition of the challenges and uncertainty children and teenagers have faced throughout the pandemic, the 2021 Playday campaign called for all children across the UK to have a Summer of Play. Recognising the importance of children’s play and supporting children’s right to play, on Playday and every day, is more important than ever: • Playing is essential for children’s mental health and wellbeing. • Playing helps children cope with stress and anxiety and fosters resilience, enabling children to better deal with challenges. • Playing gives children the opportunity to have fun, laugh, take time out, relax, and build friendships. • Playing outside allows children to appreciate nature, the environment, and feel part of their community. • Playing is fundamental to children’s happiness, and happy children lead to happier communities.
In the lead up, our partners were busy hiding the storybook packs in their communities ready for children and their families to find on Playday! Throughout the day, Playday organisers shared treasure hunt clues locally and on their social media pages. We were delighted to see so many families outside having fun – the photos of happy smiley children after they found the treasure are testament to their enjoyment!
www.playday.org.uk ‘My 6 year old found ours in Aberystwyth area. Lovely surprise on a walk back from our kids’ christening. Thank you.’ ‘We were lucky to find one of your storybook treasure hunt today at Colwyn Bay Promenade, taken back to Holyhead.’ ‘We found some treasure. My boys loved it and had great fun playing hopscotch with the chalk.’ ‘We found one in Penrhyncoch on a rainy walk today, my little one can’t wait to colour in the picture and read the books.’
Storybook Treasure Hunt At Play Wales, we started our Summer of Play on Playday with a national Storybook Treasure Hunt. As well as our two children’s storybooks about children’s right to play, the packs included some playful resources like chalk to help give children a Summer of Play.
Thank you A big thank you to all our partners across Wales who helped make the Storybook Treasure Hunt happen – we really couldn’t have done it without you.
