International Day of Play

At Oxfordshire County Council, we recognise that play is fundamental to a child’s development, wellbeing and readiness to learn. The International Day of Play on 11 June is an important opportunity for schools to champion this.

We are encouraging all schools across Oxfordshire to take part in the ‘Play 31’ challenge by giving children an additional 31 minutes of play.

Play is not just an enjoyable part of the school day—it is essential for building resilience, supporting mental health, developing social skills and enabling children to thrive.

Schools play a vital role in creating opportunities for children to be active, connect with others and experience the benefits of outdoor and unstructured play.

I would encourage all our schools to get involved, celebrate the power of play, and share how they are supporting children’s right to play.