Playful chaos: the art of risky playgrounds Mike Hewson’s trailblazing playground work pushes boundaries, experiments boldly and uses iteration as a creative engine. The result is play environments that don’t just delight children – they…

Children can learn about themselves and the world around them through taking risks. Why not make it playful?

architectureau.com/articles/pla... 2/2

What if Playgrounds weren't designed to be completely safe, but instead designed to evoke creativity & imagination?

Artist and engineer Mike Hewson is challenging the way we think about play, designing raw, surprising, intergenerational spaces where a little risk is the whole point. 1/2

Our Learning & Development Officer and OPAL Mentor, Alex, is running the London Marathon later this month! Alex is running in support of Starlight Children's Foundation, to help bring the healing power of play to children in healthcare settings. Help us support:

www.playscotland.org/play-in-heal...

Board & Team - Play Scotland Play Scotland has a vibrant and enthusiastic staff team and board who are passionate about making child's right to play a reality

Play Scotland has a vibrant, enthusiastic, and committed Board of Directors who meet regularly. We have some exciting new additions from diverse backgrounds that we would love you to meet! 👇

www.playscotland.org/about/board-...

International Day of Play Schools Celebration - Play Scotland Celebrate play and Champion children’s rights  Thursday 11 June is the International Day of Play, and we...

🌳 Supports confidence, wellbeing, and inclusion
🌳 Encourages and fosters relationships and communication skills

Play does so much more, but most importantly, it's fun!

Get involved with the International Day of Play this June! It's free and simple.
www.playscotland.org/internationa...
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Play is beneficial to children in more ways than one. It helps them learn, but its impacts are far greater than that.
It:
🌳 Helps build a strong body, enabling physical skills and coordinated movements
🌳 Builds on language development, problem-solving, memory, and creativity
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As our streets and neighbourhoods change, conversations about how we share public space are more important than ever.

Do children in your area still play out? What would make your street a better place for children to play?

We often hear complaints that children and young people spend too much time on screens, but it is important to not have this conversation in isolation.

Every child has a right to play – and that means having the freedom, time and space to do it.

Thankfully… this is an April Fools’!

But the reality is still concerning.

Children today are far less likely to play out on their street than their parents or grandparents were. 1 big reason is the huge increase in cars on residential streets, which reduces safe and welcoming space to play.

Breaking News: All Play Parks in Scotland to be Converted into Car Parks

Every space currently used for children’s play will instead be used for parked cars. Say goodbye to children laughing, playing and having fun and all of the development and skills that brings.

Get tickets for our next training!
💡 Learn about developing a play policy in your primary school to support and implement a play pedagogy approach 👇
More information and tickets: www.playscotland.org/schools-chil...

🎈Wed 28 October, 5:30 – 8pm 
🎈Play Scotland Strategy Launch 
🎈Heart of Midlothian FC, Edinburgh 

We are delighted to invite you to our strategy launch party!
Featuring a drinks reception and keynote speaker, we are excited to share with you our plans to champion every child’s right to play.

International Day of Play Schools Celebration - Play Scotland Celebrate play and Champion children’s rights  Thursday 11 June is the International Day of Play, and we...

On 11 June marks the International Day of Play, a global celebration of the power of play

We’re joining @playscotland.bsky.social in promoting a joyful day that puts children’s voices, wellbeing, & rights at the heart of learning #InternationalDayofPlay

www.playscotland.org/internationa...

Play Pedagogy Award - Play Scotland Play Scotland's Play Pedagogy Award coming soon...

The Award supports schools to embed a whole school approach to play pedagogy that aligns with CfE, GIRFEC & the UNCRC.

“Children are more settled, more engaged and more motivated. We’re seeing deeper involvement in learning through play.”

Find out more, email fionakirkland@playscotland.org. 2/2

🌱 The April cohort for the Play Pedagogy Award is now open!

What started as a pilot has grown quickly with over 50 schools across 20 local authorities in Scotland participating. 1/2

“Children are somehow calmer under a tree. I’ve noticed, again and again, their mood changes for the better."
Read about this wonderful example of the benefits of outdoor play! 👇
www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/lei...

The #InternationalDayofPlay is on 11th June, and we would love all schools to get involved!
🥳 It's free, and most of the prep work has been done; all you need to do is register and have an extra playful day!
www.playscotland.org/internationa...

“If they are to enjoy and benefit from play, children need time to play, sufficient space to move around fast and freely, and an environment that offers a wide variety of experiences" - Getting it Right for Play: The Power of Play
www.playscotland.org/resources/pr...

📩 Do you receive Play Scotland's newsletter?
It delivers updates on all things PLAY to your inbox at the beginning of every month.

Sign up as a member to receive the newsletter & access the discount code on all training!

📌 No spam!
www.playscotland.org/about/member...

Playwork National Occupational Standards Consultation - Play Scotland The UK Playwork NOS Consortium is consulting on the draft National Occupational Standards...

💬 Have your say!
Join us to contribute to the National Occupational Standards for Playworkers consultation.
Wed 18 March 10am – 12pm
Book your place now: www.playscotland.org/playwork-nat...

Litter Pick and Play Toolkit - Play Scotland Litter Pick and Play Toolkit is a resource designed to support groups running litter-picking activities with children and young people.

We would love to see support for #SpringCleanScotland 2026, taking place on 13 March until 24 April.

www.playscotland.org/resources/li...

www.keepscotlandbeautiful.org/springclean 3/3

To improve this, one of the many things we did was create a toolkit in partnership with Keep Scotland Beautiful, to guide groups on how to plan their Litter Pick & Play event. We hope our toolkit can help you plan, and bring fun into your month of Keeping Scotland Beautiful! 2/3

During our #LitterPickandPlay projects, we gained more of an understanding around barriers children face when exercising their right to play. One of these barriers is the cleanliness & safety the environment. 1/3

International Day of Play Schools Celebration - Play Scotland Celebrate play and Champion children’s rights  Thursday 11 June is the International Day of Play, and we...

🎉 Celebrating the International Day of Play is simple – and free. Please follow the link below to find out more and register via our website, and like and share to keep up to date as the day draws close! 👇
www.playscotland.org/internationa... 2/2

🎈 Tell your friends: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟭𝘁𝗵 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲! It is a global celebration of the power of play in children's lives.

🪁Take part in a joyful day that puts children's wellbeing, voice, and rights at the heart of learning. 1/2

Her article touches on developmental trauma, & leads us through the role of the adult, co-regulation, & how play can be used as one of the tools to help process trauma.
💡Adults might not know what meaning play has to a child, but that doesn't mean it's not meaningful. 2/2
www.playscotland.org/news/

We have a brand new blog up on the website, all about Trauma Informed Practice and Play!
Among many other things, Erin is a play therapist and lecturer based in Scotland with a background in early years. 1/2

🎉 ICYMI: @together-sacr.bsky.social has published the new State of Children's Rights Report! Our case study is included in the report, which dives in to how we produced our Play Vision Statement and Action Plan.
📰 You can find the plan itself pinned on our page, and the report in full below 👇

Happy Spring!

What are your favourite things to do outside at this time of year?

🌿🌳🌷

togetherscotland.org.uk/media/wmbah4...
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