Let's Talk About World Play Day: Kids Need More Creative Time & Space
Approximately a third of children are lacking the opportunity for creative pursuits.
Berlin - Stuck on screens, light on cash: Over a third of participants in a recent survey think that kids in kindergarten and primary school aren't getting enough creative time and opportunities. The German Children's Aid Foundation revealed this on World Play Day, June 11th.
According to Forsa, 96% of respondents believe creative activities are important, yet only half think children have ample room for these activities outside of school and kindergarten. Forty-one percent think otherwise, and one-third of parents join in, expressing concerns about their children's creative deficit.
Digital media poses a significant challenge, as 81% agree that it could draw kids away from creative pursuits. Moreover, 75% believe parents sometimes fall short in supporting and encouraging creativity. Low family income (70% for lower-income households) and fewer quality, affordable offers in the east (54%) are further concerns.
The poll was conducted by Forsa between April 14th-16th, 2025, on behalf of the German Children's Aid Foundation, surveying 1,001 randomly selected Germans aged 18 and over.
German Children's Aid Foundation: Why Creativity Matters
The survey underscores the value of creative activities and free play for child development, says the German Children's Aid Foundation. Apart from being fun, it stimulates cognitive skills, social harmony, and emotional growth [1][2][4]. Adults should foster a playful atmosphere, urged Holger Hofmann, CEO of the German Children's Aid Foundation.
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child recognizes play, leisure, and rest as a child's inherent right (Article 31). World Play Day_, embraced globally, encourages awareness of this essential right. In Germany, the German Children's Aid Foundation and the "Right to Play" alliance are driving various activities around the day.
Play: The Key to a Child's Success
- Emotional Wellbeing: Play aids emotional wellbeing, helping kids process feelings and fostering holistic skills development [1].
- Innovative Thinking: Creative, unstructured play sparks innovative thinking and problem-solving skills [2].
- Academic Success: Engaging in play and sports enhances academic performance as it aids understanding and learning [4].
- Promoting Life Skills: Play and games nurture empathy, cooperation, and conflict resolution [3].
Let's make sure our kids get the playtime they deserve! Enjoy World Play Day and champion the children's right to play every day!
[1] Save the Children: https://www.savethechildren.org/[2] UN International Day of Play: https://www.un.org/[3] Play Sufficiency Duty, England: https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/[4] Terre des Hommes: https://www.terredeshommes.org/
In the pursuit of a well-rounded lifestyle, it's crucial to provide children with ample free time for creative activities at home and in the garden. This not only fosters their emotional wellbeing and innovative thinking but also aids academic success and promotes life skills such as empathy, cooperation, and conflict resolution. Let's ensure our kids are given the playtime they deserve, making every day a celebration of their right to play.
