Play Wales

05/06/2026

Nominations for this year's Starlight Children's Foundation Health Play Awards are open. This year you can nominate for:

⭐ Health Play Specialist of the Year
⭐ Play Team of the Year
⭐ Protector of Play
⭐ Mentor of the Year.

Submit your nominations by 12 June
https://play.wales/news/other-news/play-in-healthcare-awards-2026/

🏆 The Starlight Health Play Awards are back for 2026!

Every day, health play professionals across the UK help children face fear, trauma and treatment through the power of play.

Now it’s time to celebrate them.

Nominations are officially OPEN for the 2026 Starlight Health Play Awards, recognising the incredible individuals and teams transforming healthcare experiences for seriously ill children.

This year you can nominate for:

⭐ Protector of Play⭐ Health Play Specialist of the Year⭐ Mentor of the Year⭐ Play Team of the Year

From easing anxiety before procedures to helping children regain confidence and control, these professionals make an extraordinary difference every single day.

Know someone who deserves recognition? Nominate them now via our website ⬇️

https://ow.ly/6Bug50Z4Csj

04/06/2026

Only a week to go until Interntional Day of Play!

How will you be celebrating the day in your school or setting? If you are looking for inspiration and ideas, our list of 31 play ideas is a great way to make it a playful day.

02/06/2026

In case you missed it – the latest issue of our Play for Wales magazine is now available.

The issue celebrates the good work happening at local, regional and national level to support children’s opportunities to play. It also features a play manifesto from the children of Wales with their calls for the new Welsh Government, to make sure every child across the country has enough time and good places to play.

Read the magazine at: https://play.wales/publications_category/play-for-wales-issue-66/

02/06/2026

Edit: Listen back to the item (49 minutes in): https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m002x24m

Tune into BBC Radio Wales at 12:45pm today to hear our Marianne Mannello discussing children's play and screen time

Listen live to Radio Wales on BBC Sounds

01/06/2026

This year’s Big Lunch and Big Help Out is happening between 5 and 8 June.

If you are planning an event to celebrate, take a look at our Making community events playful info sheet: https://play.wales/publications_category/making-community-events-playful/

29/05/2026

For the latest play and playwork related news and resources, take a look at our May e-bulletin. It offers a round-up of what’s new on our website:

🔹News
🔹 Play Wales resources
🔹 Jobs
🔹 Events
🔹 Awards

https://mailchi.mp/playwales/efwletinmai-ebulletinmay2026?e=f08b9f4776

29/05/2026

👏👏 Congrats to Lauren, Taryn a Chloe at Play Merthyr Tydfil for completing the Play Wales endorsed course, Let's talk about play.

For more info about the course visit: https://play.wales/playwork/training/

28/05/2026

Two weeks to go until the International Day of Play!

We are calling for schools across Wales to give children 31 more minutes of playtime on 11 June – for practical and easy ideas for making it a playful day in your school, read our top tips.

https://play.wales/publications_category/top-tips-for-celebrating-international-day-of-play-in-schools/

26/05/2026

Remember to submit your nominations for Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids' Clubs Out of School Childcare Awards by 31 May 2026.

The awards include Playworker of the Year and Play Champion.

Find out more at: https://play.wales/news_category/out-of-school-childcare-awards-2026/