Why play is important: International Day of Play 2024

India has a popular saying: ‘Padhoge likhoge banoge nawab, kheloge kudoge banoge kharab.'

Roughly translated, it means: “Study and you’ll become a respectable person. Play and you'll fail in life." Which - tbh - couldn't be further from the truth.

The first-ever International Day of Play is going to be observed on 11 June 2024, marking a significant milestone in efforts to preserve, promote, and prioritise play so that all people, especially children, can reap its lifelong rewards.

Play transcends language, culture, and age. It acts as a catalyst for development and well-being. It is also an essential part of a child’s development, and is particularly important in early childhood when children are growing and learning most rapidly.

According to this UNICEF report, playing with children is a fundamental aspect of parenting. Simple, playful interactions with adults help infants develop sturdy brain architecture, the foundations of lifelong health, and the building blocks of resilience. 

“We are still not good enough at accommodating or acknowledging the child that thinks creatively. But, we are super good at rewarding the academically strong child,” a parent in Denmark told LEGO.

The importance of play

Beyond physical well-being, outdoor play stimulates cognitive, social and emotional growth. Being in nature helps children explore, experiment and develop problem-solving skills. The sensory experiences of the natural world enhance creativity and imagination, fostering a sense of wonder and curiosity and contributing to overall development and well-being. 

Long term studies have shown that access to early play experiences boosts life outcomes substantially - a 42% raise in yearly earnings, 44% increase in high school graduations, and 17% increase in bachelor degrees, as per the The Case for Play report by the Playground Ideas. 

Play across different cultures

Cultural traditions shape unique play experiences worldwide. For instance, Mancala, a game played in Africa, involves counting and strategy, teaching kids mathematical and critical thinking skills. Children in Italy, on the other hand, play Strega Comanda Color, which enhances language and social interaction skills.

The need for inclusive play

Research confirms that for children with disabilities too, play is an important way in which they make friends (Jeanes and Maggie, 2012). For many of these children in India, their home - or schools - are the only environments for play. 

However, accessibility is a concern. There are very few parks and playgrounds where children with disabilities can be found playing. Most schools and community play spaces (parks and public playgrounds) are often designed from the perspective of those without disabilities. Inaccessible structures, lack of trained staff to oversee the play, absence of allocation of free play time for children, resistance from children themselves, and substitution of therapy sessions in place of play are some of the common challenges in special schools that render almost no access to play spaces for children with disability, as per Play for All by Azim Premji University. 

The impact of play deficit on children’s health

A comprehensive survey covering 85 cities across India, and covering 1.15 lakh children, revealed that 40% children do not maintain a healthy Body Mass Index (BMI). The situation is more dire in India's major metros — New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Pune — where children's health indicators are poorer compared to those from smaller towns and rural areas. 

The lack of physical play areas is directly impacting children's physical health. 

Anxiety and depression among school-aged children and teens in the United States are at an all-time high. In 2021, child and adolescent mental health was declared a national emergency. Although a variety of causes are thought to contribute to this decline in mental health, a new study in Science Daily by three prominent researchers specialising in child development points to a decline over decades in opportunities for children and teens to play, roam and engage in activities independent of direct oversight and control by adults. 

Impact of technology on play 

In the US, although 71% of parents played outside as a child, only 21% of their children play outside today. Technology is everywhere, and kids spend a lot of time on their cellphones, tablets and other electronic devices, as per Play World. 

​​Nearly 40% of India's schools have no playground. An Indian study says that over the past few decades, there has been a significant decline in children’s outdoor play. Several factors have contributed to this shift including the rise of technology, increased academic pressure, safety concerns and COVID-19. 

The allure of digital entertainment has drawn children indoors and to screens. Additionally, schools have increased academic demands, leaving children with limited free time for unstructured outdoor play. “Technology today allows children to still be creative and scientifically knowledgeable but learn in a fun way,” says a UK parent, to LEGO. 

Learning through play 

83% of children say they learn better when it feels like play. 

93% of parents think play should be used as a tool for child development and learning in schools. 

As per the Lego Play Well Report of 2018, play is its own reward. We do it because it feels good. The urge to play is nature’s way of helping us make sense of the world and our place in it. Through play we learn how our minds and bodies work and discover how others think and feel. Through play we come to know what it means to belong, to be loved and feel happiness. 

Building a community through play

Community play projects in India often focus on revitalising underused or neglected urban areas, turning them into safe and accessible play spaces. These projects are particularly vital in densely populated cities where children's play areas are scarce.

Some notable initiatives working towards enhancing play opportunities:

1. Bachpan Manao, Badhte Jao: Spearheaded by the EkStep Foundation, this initiative focuses on maximising the early childhood period (0 - 8 years) across India. For International Day of Play, they launched the #HourOfFreePlay challenge in collaboration with UNICEF, advocating for every child's right to play. While play should be part of children's lives every day, the call to action on June 11th is to include adults by encouraging them to pause whatever they’re doing from 5 pm to 6 pm and engage in an Hour of Free play (meaning activities led by children). 
   

2. Anthill Creations: Based in Bengaluru, this non-profit organisation builds safe, sustainable, and inclusive playgrounds using upcycled materials like tyres and oil drums. To date, Anthill Creations has constructed about 380 playgrounds across 22 states, demonstrating a scalable model of low-cost, high-impact community engagement.
   

3. Kilikili: Another commendable effort is by Kilikili, an NGO based in Bengaluru, which aims at developing inclusive public play spaces in Bengaluru that would enable children with disabilities to secure their right to play alongside children without disabilities. Kilikili brings together multiple stakeholders – the local municipal corporation and parents, volunteers, disability rights organisations, citizen’s groups, resident’s associations, special and regular schools. 
   

4. Jabalpur’s child-focused urban planning: The city of Jabalpur is pioneering a new approach in urban planning with a focus on children’s needs. The city's officials are working on a play “master plan" that aims to ensure that every child has access to play opportunities within 500 metres of their home. This initiative is part of the broader “Nurturing Neighbourhoods Challenge” under the Smart Cities Mission, which aims to create child-friendly neighbourhoods in Indian cities.
   

5. PepsiCo India's Gatorade 'Turf Finder': In collaboration with Leo Burnett India, Gatorade is set to launch Turf Finder, a platform designed to help people find available playing spaces in India’s crowded metropolitan areas. Starting in Mumbai and expanding to other major cities like Bengaluru, the platform addresses the acute shortage of recreational spaces in urban settings.

The role of parents and guardians in play

Parents and guardians are pivotal in guiding play. A study by the American Academy of Pediatrics (2007) revealed that children whose parents actively engage in their play activities show improved language skills and social development.

Challenges to play

Despite its benefits, access to play is not universal. Urbanisation and socioeconomic factors often limit play opportunities. The Global Play Alliance (2022) states that 30% of urban children worldwide lack access to safe play spaces.

India's vast diversity and rapidly growing urban areas present challenges in ensuring adequate play spaces for children. Government surveys highlight a concerning deficit with 40% of schools across the country lacking a playground, a figure that rises dramatically in states like Bihar and Odisha, where the absence of playgrounds affects 65% and 70% of schools, respectively. This lack of facilities is contributing to significant health issues among children.

Future of play

As per LEGO, on a societal scale economies are set to lose out on big social and economic benefits if early childhood development and play is not prioritised. A recent report by The Royal Foundation Business Taskforce for Early Childhood estimated that investing in early childhood in the UK could add up to £45.5 billion (~INR 4 lakh crore) to the national economy each year.

Simply put, playing is natural, healthy and part of being human - but it is also fundamental to personal and societal progress.

This has long been recognised by the international community. Indeed, the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child, which almost all countries in the world have signed, recognises the right to play. And earlier this year, in a nod to the importance of this universally human activity, the UN General Assembly adopted an International Day of Play.