Happy #Playday2026! To celebrate children's right to play today, we've rounded up our favourite tips for outdoor play at home in case you need a bit of inspiration to take you through the rest of the summer holidays! We would love to hear yours too. Share your best play tips in the comments!

Pinning down an exact definition of play is notoriously tricky. But, no matter how you define it, we know that real play happens when children get to lead the way. What’s your favourite way to describe play? Share your thoughts in the comments 💚

The #PlanForPlay petition has just reached 3,000 signatures! But, if we're to be in with a chance of getting this debated in Parliament, we need lots more! Please consider signing if you haven't already. And please share far and wide. Thank you 🤩 petition.parliament.uk/petitions/76...

"We wanted to celebrate this success in a way that reflected what the award is all about, giving children and families the opportunity to play together, have fun and experience the amazing outdoor environment we have created. www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/2626294... #OPALSchools

Primary school celebrates award win with play event for children and families

Oasis Academy Warndon presented with the OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) Platinum Award for the second year in a row

worcesternews.co.uk

"Over the course of developing OPAL, the transformation in how the children play, manage their own risks and express themselves freely is an absolute joy to watch, it makes all the time and hard work totally worth it." www.darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk/news/2625751... #OPALSchools

Two rural North Yorkshire primary schools among the country's best for outdoor play

The Federation of Snape & Thornton Watlass has achieved Gold Accreditation through the OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) programme.

darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk

Hands up if you believe every child should have amazing play, every day! 🙌

"When schools prioritise high-quality outdoor play, they're not only supporting physical health, but also improving wellbeing, social skills, and readiness to learn back in the classroom." Marianne Young, Gunthorpe Primary’s OPAL play coordinator www.peterboroughmatters.co.uk/news/2623063...

Primary school wins top award for outstanding approach to play

A primary school in Peterborough has been recognised with a top award for its outstanding approach to play.

peterboroughmatters.co.uk

"Achieving OPAL Platinum status is a fantastic milestone for our school. We have seen first-hand how high-quality play opportunities help children build confidence, develop friendships and enjoy being active outdoors." Jessica Lott, headteacher. www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/news/2621497...

Primary school in top two per cent nationally for excellent outdoor provision

Pupils showcased the variety of activities available during playtime and explained how the improvements have enriched their daily experience.

hampshirechronicle.co.uk

“We strongly believe in the benefits that play and outdoor learning can have on children’s development." Rebecca Turvey, Assistant Headteacher www.chad.co.uk/education/su... #OPALSchools

Sutton primary school achieves rare OPAL platinum status for its outdoor play and learning provision

St Mary Magdalene Primary School in Sutton is celebrating the news it has achieved a 100 per cent score and OPAL platinum status for its outdoor play and learning provision.

chad.co.uk

More than 2,000 people have now added their names to the #PlanForPlay petition. Will you join them? We’re calling on the Government to make planning for play a statutory requirement for every primary school. Sign and share: petition.parliament.uk/petitions/76...

"It [OPAL] has been the single best school improvement initiative we have implemented in recent years." Tom Head, Executive Headteacher If you would like to see an OPAL playtime in action, we still have a few open days taking place before the end of term. More: www.eventbrite.com/cc/curious-a...

"I wouldn't say it's good for children, I'd say it's absolutely essential for children, and without it, it's not a proper childhood, and it's not a proper education." OPAL Director Michael Follett talking to ITV about the importance of play. www.itv.com/watch/news/n...

Happy #InternationalDayofPlay! Thank you to all the schools who have registered to celebrate today. We hope you have brilliant plans, and we can’t wait to see what you get up to! 1/2

This #InternationalDayOfPlay, we’re calling on the Government to make planning for play a statutory requirement for every primary school. Will you join us? Sign the #PlanForPlay petition: petition.parliament.uk/petitions/76...

Sometimes the best way to understand the impact of investing in playtime is to see it in action. That’s why our team of mentors hold open days in #OPALSchools across the country. Find an open day near you in this Eventbrite collection: www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/curious-a... #PlanForPlay

Curious about OPAL? Come see...

Are you a school leader curious about how better playtimes can improve outcomes across the board? Join us at an OPAL school! These visits are for schools considering starting the OPAL Primary Program...

eventbrite.co.uk

We hope you had a wonderful half term! What have our amazing #OPALSchools got planned for playtimes for the rest of the school year? Please share your highlights in the comments 💚

Researchers at Queen Margaret University are looking to hear from UK-based professionals, including teachers and early years practitioners, about their attitudes towards different types of nature play. 📋 Take part here: app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/qmu/play-r...

Happy #OutdoorClassroomDay! We believe that outdoor play and learning are critical to a happy and healthy childhood. That’s why our vision is that every child in every school has an amazing hour of high-quality play every day – with no exceptions. Find out more: outdoorplayandlearning.org.uk

▶ The latest ep of Play Well podcast is out! We spoke with Margaret and Kerry at Baltasound Junior High School, and heard all about their journey as a Play Pedagogy Award pilot school and their insights into the impact of play on children in the primary years. www.spreaker.com/episode/54-b...

Children in OPAL schools self-report improved mental health. This #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek, find out more about the benefits of improving playtimes: outdoorplayandlearning.org.uk/evidence/ben...

Happy 100th birthday Sir David Attenborough! When children play outdoors, they learn about and grow to care about the natural world. Nature play can also reduce stress, increase physical activity, and improve wellbeing. Most of all, it’s fun! What have you seen when children play outdoors in nature?

"By prioritising creative, child-led play, the teaching team at the Blenheim Road school have noted an increase in physical activity during breaktimes, a boost in mental wellbeing, and children returning to lessons more focused and ready to learn." www.sloughexpress.co.uk/gallery/educ...

Courthouse School receives award for creating 'a play time for every child'

A school in Maidenhead offering ‘magic, muddy and magnetic play times’ has received a national award for its playground creativity. Courthouse Junior School is celebrating after achieving Platinum Sta...

sloughexpress.co.uk

The amazing Project Play team is inviting primary school teachers to Calais to learn about the experience of children on the border and to help them raise awareness and funds. Find out more and apply: www.project-play.org/teachers

At OPAL, we have a really simple mission — for every child to have an outstanding playtime every day, with no exceptions! Are you interested in unlocking the power of playtime? Get started today: outdoorplayandlearning.org.uk/get-started/

“Streets for play, streets for freedom” by @aliceferguson.bsky.social & @timrgill.bsky.social makes the case for a "child lens" on transport policy. Time to prioritise those most impacted yet least considered in planning our streets: Children. Read more here: playingout.net/take-action/...

Wishing our amazing community of #OPALSchools a fantastic Easter break. Thank you to everyone that has shared their OPAL playtimes this term and brought so much joy to our social feeds!

“Play is crucial to a child’s brain development and we are incredibly proud of the high quality play opportunities happening in our school." Headteachers Mrs Hollinger and Mrs Willford, Redlands Primary and Nursery School. www.worksopguardian.co.uk/education/ce... #OPALSchools

Celebrations at Worksop school recognised for outstanding play provision

Redlands Primary and Nursery School in Worksop have been awarded the prestigious OPAL Platinum Award - becoming the first and currently the only school in Worksop to reach the milestone.

worksopguardian.co.uk

We are in love with this new film from Brookside Primary School in Leicestershire, which shows how they have amazing playtimes every day, whatever the weather! youtu.be/PNs0yPBaSDU?...

OPAL winter play at Brookside Primary School

YouTube video by Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL)

youtu.be

“We are committed to ensuring quality play opportunities are available to all our children and believe that play is essential for physical, emotional, social, spiritual and intellectual development." Amy Howlett, Headteacher. www.hemeltoday.co.uk/education/pr... #OPALSchools

Princes Risborough Primary School celebrates highest possible national accolade with Platinum OPAL Award for outstanding outdoor play

Princes Risborough Primary School, part of Great Learners Trust, has achieved the Platinum Award for OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning), putting the school in the top 1% of all primary schools nationall...

hemeltoday.co.uk

What a fantastic new film from the OPAL North East team, who also work across #Cumbria to bring children amazing playtimes every day. This is a must-watch for if you want to see how #OPALSchools get out to play when it’s wet and muddy! Watch now, here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRb3...

OPAL in Cumbria

YouTube video by Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL)

youtube.com