Playday is the national day for play, celebrated each year across the UK on the first Wednesday in August. Playday 2025 will be celebrated on Wednesday 6 August.

The theme for this year’s campaign is … Spaces for Play.

This year’s theme highlights the vital importance of accessible, inclusive spaces where children and young people have opportunities to play freely, spending time, and connecting with friends – and feel valued as part of their community. Children will play anywhere and everywhere, so access to quality playful spaces and places is essential for their happiness and development, offering opportunities to boost both physical health and emotional well-being.

This Playday, we’re calling for spaces for play that:

  • Are inclusive and welcoming for children and young people of all ages and abilities.
  • Provide accessible, safe, and playful spaces where children can play freely in their local community. 
  • Maximise opportunities for play in schools, childcare, and youth settings.
  • Are shaped by the voices, needs, and experiences of children and young people themselves. 
  • Support play that promotes fun, friendship, being active, enjoying nature, and building a strong sense of belonging.
  • Encourage families, carers, and communities to come together through play across generations. 

Every child and young person has the right to play — and they deserve the time, space, freedom, and opportunity to do so, every day. This Playday, we encourage families, community leaders, planners, developers, and everyone who shapes children’s lives to champion better spaces for play. Together, we can create a more playful, inclusive world where all children can grow, thrive, and belong. 

Play is every child’s right – on Playday and every day.

Get involved

  • View our new Playday Playful Adventures for ideas to get out and play.
  • Show your support and join our call for better spaces to play – print our poster and share a social media selfie on 6 August.
  • Download Playday event posters.
  • If you are planning a Playday event, which is free and open to the public, let us know and we will share – email info@playboard.org or tag @playboardni.
  • Follow Playday on Facebook and X and get involved using the hashtags #Playday2025 and #SpacesForPlay
  • For more on Playday visit www.playday.org.uk

Events

  • Join Team PlayBoard for Playday fun at IKEA Belfast! Celebrate Playday with us on 6 August between 10:00am and 1:00pm. Drop by to enjoy playful moments, chat with our team, and pick up free resources for inspiration to play at home. 
  • Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council’s Brighter Nights – Every Friday from 4 July – 29 August (excluding 11 July), 6:30pm – 8:30pm, Lilian Bland Community Park, Glengormley. Free event, suitable for all ages. Featuring wiggle it, bubble bike, mini explorers, and sensory kids.
  • Ards & North Down Borough Council’s Summer in the Parks – FREE family events, suitable for all ages with a variety of family friendly lawn games. No booking required, parental supervision is required at all times. 3 July, Ward Park Play Park, Bangor, 11am-1pm. 8 July, Scrabo Estate Play Park, Newtownards, 10am-11am. 8 July, West Winds Play Park, Newtownards, 12noon-1pm. 30 July, Killinchy Play Park, 11am-1pm. Playday 6 August, Seapark, Holywood, 10am-12pm. Playday 6 August, The Green, Kircubbin, 2pm-4pm. 11 August, Millisle Play Park, 11am-1pm. 19 August, Bloomfield, Bangor, 10am-11am. 19 August, Kilcooley Square, Bangor, 1pm-2pm. 20 August, Rope Walk, Portaferry, 11am-1pm. For more events including Love Park Week go to www.ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk/article/1512/Love-Parks-Week
  • Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon Borough Council’s Play in the Park – In partnership with the Council, PlayBoard will be facilitating Play in the Park sessions with loose parts, arts and crafts, den building, sensory play, and more! Tannaghmore Gardens – 30 July, 10.00am – 12.00pm; Edenvilla Park – 30 July, 2.00pm – 4.00pm; Solitude Park – 1 August, 10.00am – 12.00pm and on Playday at Armagh Palace on 6 August from 10:00am – 12:00pm and at Loughgall Country Park from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. The events are part of Love Parks Week, with children of primary school age invited to attend and have some playful outdoor fun. Booking is essential, £2pp with proceeds going to charity. For more events happening throughout the week go to https://getactiveabc.com/loveparksweek
  • Belfast City Council’s Summer Fun Days – FREE family fun days taking place between 10 July and 21 August (2pm-4:30pm) with face-painting, balloon modelling, summer crafts, and lawn games. Falls Park, 10 July; Woodvale Park, 17 July; Alexandra Park, 7 August; Sir Thomas & Lady Dixon Park, 14 August; Victoria Park, 21 August.
  • Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council’s Active Play – FREE event for all the family with ball games, team games and soft play activities. Booking required as places limited. Glenariffe GAA, 5 August, 1:30pm-3:30pm; Cushendun GAA, 7 August, 1:30pm-3:30pm.
  • Fermanagh & Omagh District Council’s Teddy Bears’ Picnic – 26 July, 1:00-4:00pm, Grange Park, Omagh. Bring your favourite teddy and picnic for a day of FREE family fun including storytelling, environmental activities, music and more. 25 July, 2:00pm – 5:00pm – FREE family fun day at Forthill Park, Enniskillen. No booking required, just drop in for traditional games, family-friendly crafts, hula hooping, and more.
  • Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council’s Park Life 2025 – Summer of FREE family fun from 1 July to 23 August (running 11am-1pm) including Messy Bug Ball on 3 July, Moat Park, Dundonald; 22 July, Wallace Park, Lisburn; 5 August, Moira Demesne, Moira; 7 August, Lough Moss, Carryduff. Heroes and Princesses on 9 August, Wallace Park, Lisburn; 16 August, Moat Park, Dundonald. Nature’s Delight on 8 July, Lough Moss, Carryduff; 19 July, Moat Park, Dundonald; 26 July, Moira Demesne, Moira; 14 August, Castle Gardens, Lisburn. Jurassic Adventures on 5 July, Wallace Park, Lisburn; 24 July, Lough Moss, Carryduff; 31 July, Moat Park, Dundonald; 23 August, Moira Demesne, Moira. Plant and Play on 29 July, Castle Gardens, Lisburn.
  • Mid and East Antrim Council’s Beach Babbies – 6 August, 2:00 – 4:00pm, Ballygally Beach, Coast Road, Larne. Join MEA Outdoors for a nature-led play session. This mindful experience by the sea will ground you and your little one and build confidence in outdoor play for your family. An unstructured session for your wee wild ones to explore and enjoy themselves at their own pace and for you to meet likeminded families. Activities and beach toys will be provided but if you would also like to bring some of your own, feel free to do so. Age group 0-4, with caregivers to accompany children during the session. Wear weather appropriate clothing and footwear – a full change of clothing is highly recommended for all beach babbies. Book online.
  • National Trust’s Summer of Play – Various events taking place across Northern Ireland. Follow a nature trail, try arts and crafts, dress up, take part in a race or cricket.

Playday is coordinated by PlayBoard NI, Play England, Play Wales, and Play Scotland.