Overview

• The UN Organization established June 11 as the International Day of Play in 2024 to uphold children’s fundamental right to play under Article 31 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
• This year’s “Choose Play – Every Day” theme challenges governments, corporations, schools and families to embed play in children’s everyday lives.
• UNICEF has rolled out practical ideas such as creative storytelling sessions, movement and mindfulness workshops, and outdoor scavenger hunts to showcase play’s benefits.
• An estimated 160 million children worldwide are still engaged in labor instead of play or learning, highlighting persistent barriers to their development.
• Experts warn that excessive mobile phone use is eroding traditional play opportunities and hindering the growth of resilience, creativity and problem-solving skills.