This speech was delivered by Myuri Komaragiri, Global Education Specialist at Right To Play, on behalf of the Play Movement1, a group of civil society actors, including Save the Children, working to promote children, adolescents, and young people’s right to play, at the UNICEF International Day of Play High Level Advocacy Event on 11 June 2026.
We come together today for the International Day of Play not only to celebrate the power of play, but to listen.
Because more than 10,000 children have told us clearly what they want and need through the children and young people’s Call to Action on play.
- One in three children say they do not have enough time to play.
- One in five lack safe spaces to play.
- And one in five say they have no one to play with.
(Source: The Children and Young People's Call to Action)
What children are describing is not only a lack of play opportunities, but something deeper – the erosion of childhood.
Their message is a reminder that the right to play is already recognised under Article 31 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Yet for many children, this right is increasingly out of reach.
Across contexts, children, adolescents, and youth are experiencing shrinking time, space, and freedom to play. Public spaces are becoming less safe or less accessible. And in situations of crisis, conflict, displacement, poverty, and climate-related disruption, there are heightened risks to their safety, well-being, and rights.
When children lose play, they lose far more than moments of enjoyment. They lose safe spaces and protective relationships.
And when those spaces disappear, risks often grow. Children may become more isolated, spend more time in unsafe environments, or be pushed into hazardous work and other harmful situations.
This is why play is not a luxury. It is part of the protective fabric of childhood itself.
Play is where children experience joy, leisure, and freedom – time that is self-directed, creative, and meaningful. It is where children build friendships and social skills - where they experience connection with family, caregivers, teachers, and their communities.
Play is how children learn—not only academic skills, but also problem-solving, confidence, and imagination. It helps children and young people develop the knowledge, skills, and resilience they need to shape their own futures and pursue opportunities throughout their lives.
And it is how children experience mental health and psychosocial wellbeing – stress, loss, and change in ways that are social, culturally meaningful, and healing.
In response to what children have already told us, we highlight three urgent priorities:
- First, we must recognise play as essential to childhood, not an optional extra. It is fundamental to wellbeing, protection, learning, and development. That means treating play as a priority in our budgets, schools, communities, and public spaces – not as an afterthought.
- Second, we must guarantee safe, inclusive, and accessible spaces and time for play for all children, including those experiencing vulnerability in everyday life, and in contexts of crisis, displacement, and insecurity.
- Third, we must ensure children’s meaningful participation in decisions about play and public space, as real influence over the environments that shape their lives.
On this International Day of Play, let us do what children are asking of us.
Let us listen. And then let us act.
1. The Play Movement includes: Right To Play, Save the Children, BRAC, Child and Youth Friendly Governance Project, PLAN International, International Rescue Committee, Global Schools Forum, Norwegian Refugee Council, The Concerned for Working Children (CWC).
Image Credit/Copyright: © UNICEF/UN0869964/David Berkwitz
