Play Scotland
@playscotland.bsky.social
The national expert in play for parents, policymakers and the play workforce
Email: info@playscotland.org
#PlayEveryday
https://linktr.ee/playscotland
Email: info@playscotland.org
#PlayEveryday
https://linktr.ee/playscotland
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Play Scotland
@playscotland.bsky.social
· Mar 25
Launch of Scotland's Play Vision Statement and Action Plan 2025-2030 - Play Scotland
We are delighted to celebrate the launch of Scotland's Play Vision Statement and Action Plan 2025-2030.
www.playscotland.org
🎉Celebrating the launch of Scotland's Play Vision Statement and Action Plan!
This is a clear commitment from the Scottish Government to play opportunities and experiences for all our children and young people.
www.playscotland.org/launch-of-sc...
#EduSky #ScotEduSky
This is a clear commitment from the Scottish Government to play opportunities and experiences for all our children and young people.
www.playscotland.org/launch-of-sc...
#EduSky #ScotEduSky
Play for all: Rights, Responsibility and Inclusive Practice
Thurs 22 Jan 6-8pm:
⚖️ The legal context of play as a children's right
🧒 Your responsibility to provide inclusive play opportunities
🎨 support play experiences that bring children together across differences
buytickets.at/playscotland...
Thurs 22 Jan 6-8pm:
⚖️ The legal context of play as a children's right
🧒 Your responsibility to provide inclusive play opportunities
🎨 support play experiences that bring children together across differences
buytickets.at/playscotland...
January 15, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Play for all: Rights, Responsibility and Inclusive Practice
Thurs 22 Jan 6-8pm:
⚖️ The legal context of play as a children's right
🧒 Your responsibility to provide inclusive play opportunities
🎨 support play experiences that bring children together across differences
buytickets.at/playscotland...
Thurs 22 Jan 6-8pm:
⚖️ The legal context of play as a children's right
🧒 Your responsibility to provide inclusive play opportunities
🎨 support play experiences that bring children together across differences
buytickets.at/playscotland...
🎉 The message is spreading far and wide: Forest schools in Hong Kong are embracing Risky Play for children as young as 2! Forest School camps, wellness and wilderness activities (not just for children!), and classroom learning in the great outdoors 👇
www.scmp.com/special-repo...
www.scmp.com/special-repo...
How outdoor classrooms are shaping young minds, from Denmark to Hong Kong
Malvern College and International College believe in the power of outdoor learning and growing in nature’s classroom to build curiosity and resilience.
www.scmp.com
January 14, 2026 at 8:01 AM
🎉 The message is spreading far and wide: Forest schools in Hong Kong are embracing Risky Play for children as young as 2! Forest School camps, wellness and wilderness activities (not just for children!), and classroom learning in the great outdoors 👇
www.scmp.com/special-repo...
www.scmp.com/special-repo...
👏 We're delighted to see the opening of another inclusive play park!
Play is a right for every child, and achieving that means more spaces must be inclusive and accessible.
It's fantastic to see Scotland giving this the importance it deserves! ✨
www.dgwgo.com/community-fo...
Play is a right for every child, and achieving that means more spaces must be inclusive and accessible.
It's fantastic to see Scotland giving this the importance it deserves! ✨
www.dgwgo.com/community-fo...
Gatehouse Welcomes New Inclusive Play Park
Dumfries and Galloway Council is delighted to announce the opening of the new inclusive play park in Garrie's Park in Gatehouse of Fleet – the fourth
www.dgwgo.com
January 12, 2026 at 12:01 PM
👏 We're delighted to see the opening of another inclusive play park!
Play is a right for every child, and achieving that means more spaces must be inclusive and accessible.
It's fantastic to see Scotland giving this the importance it deserves! ✨
www.dgwgo.com/community-fo...
Play is a right for every child, and achieving that means more spaces must be inclusive and accessible.
It's fantastic to see Scotland giving this the importance it deserves! ✨
www.dgwgo.com/community-fo...
Don't forget to book your place for our next training, this coming Tuesday 13th January.
Learn how to design and implement a robust policy that supports a play pedagogy approach within your school.
Book through our website: www.playscotland.org/schools-chil...
Learn how to design and implement a robust policy that supports a play pedagogy approach within your school.
Book through our website: www.playscotland.org/schools-chil...
January 9, 2026 at 12:46 PM
Don't forget to book your place for our next training, this coming Tuesday 13th January.
Learn how to design and implement a robust policy that supports a play pedagogy approach within your school.
Book through our website: www.playscotland.org/schools-chil...
Learn how to design and implement a robust policy that supports a play pedagogy approach within your school.
Book through our website: www.playscotland.org/schools-chil...
Are your children off school today because of the snow?
While school closures are stressful to manage, a fresh coating of snow can provide the most magical playground for day off fun!
Find out top snow play ideas: www.playscotland.org/resources/sn...
While school closures are stressful to manage, a fresh coating of snow can provide the most magical playground for day off fun!
Find out top snow play ideas: www.playscotland.org/resources/sn...
January 5, 2026 at 10:57 AM
Are your children off school today because of the snow?
While school closures are stressful to manage, a fresh coating of snow can provide the most magical playground for day off fun!
Find out top snow play ideas: www.playscotland.org/resources/sn...
While school closures are stressful to manage, a fresh coating of snow can provide the most magical playground for day off fun!
Find out top snow play ideas: www.playscotland.org/resources/sn...
Happy New Year from Play Scotland!
We're working on our first newsletter of 2026.
To make sure you get the latest play news straight into your inbox each month, sign up as a member today - it's free!
playscotland.org/about/member...
We're working on our first newsletter of 2026.
To make sure you get the latest play news straight into your inbox each month, sign up as a member today - it's free!
playscotland.org/about/member...
January 5, 2026 at 10:01 AM
Happy New Year from Play Scotland!
We're working on our first newsletter of 2026.
To make sure you get the latest play news straight into your inbox each month, sign up as a member today - it's free!
playscotland.org/about/member...
We're working on our first newsletter of 2026.
To make sure you get the latest play news straight into your inbox each month, sign up as a member today - it's free!
playscotland.org/about/member...
Playing in the mud is fun! But new research also shows it is transformative for children's health. Children who play in dirt have:
🦠 less disease-causing bacteria on their skin
⚪ increased T cells in the blood
🩺 better immune system regulation
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
🦠 less disease-causing bacteria on their skin
⚪ increased T cells in the blood
🩺 better immune system regulation
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
How a radical experiment to bring a forest into a preschool transformed children’s health
In Finland, kindergartens are exposing children to more mud, wild plants and moss - and finding changes to their health that show how crucial biodiversity is to wellbeing
www.theguardian.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Playing in the mud is fun! But new research also shows it is transformative for children's health. Children who play in dirt have:
🦠 less disease-causing bacteria on their skin
⚪ increased T cells in the blood
🩺 better immune system regulation
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
🦠 less disease-causing bacteria on their skin
⚪ increased T cells in the blood
🩺 better immune system regulation
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
“Play is as natural to children as breathing. It is a universal expression of children, and it can transcend differences in ethnicity, language, or other aspects of culture.”
Charles Schaefer and Athena Drewes:
Charles Schaefer and Athena Drewes:
December 16, 2025 at 3:13 PM
“Play is as natural to children as breathing. It is a universal expression of children, and it can transcend differences in ethnicity, language, or other aspects of culture.”
Charles Schaefer and Athena Drewes:
Charles Schaefer and Athena Drewes:
Congratulations to Cherie Morgan, our outstanding Director of Projects, on her new role of CEO of Planning Aid Scotland!
This is a great appointment and a well-deserved next step for someone who has brought vision, commitment, and warmth to everything she's led.
Best wishes for your new role!
This is a great appointment and a well-deserved next step for someone who has brought vision, commitment, and warmth to everything she's led.
Best wishes for your new role!
We're delighted to welcome Cherie Morgan as our new Chief Executive, joining us in Feb 2026.
With nearly 30 years in the third sector, Cherie brings a wealth of experience in community engagement, inclusive participation, and placemaking.
🔗 Full announcement: www.pas.org.uk/news/chief-executive/
With nearly 30 years in the third sector, Cherie brings a wealth of experience in community engagement, inclusive participation, and placemaking.
🔗 Full announcement: www.pas.org.uk/news/chief-executive/
Welcome to our new Chief Executive - Planning Aid Scotland
Planning Aid Scotland is pleased to announce that Cherie Morgan will be joining as Chief Executive in the new year.
www.pas.org.uk
December 12, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Congratulations to Cherie Morgan, our outstanding Director of Projects, on her new role of CEO of Planning Aid Scotland!
This is a great appointment and a well-deserved next step for someone who has brought vision, commitment, and warmth to everything she's led.
Best wishes for your new role!
This is a great appointment and a well-deserved next step for someone who has brought vision, commitment, and warmth to everything she's led.
Best wishes for your new role!
🚨 Report Published: Scottish School Grounds Survey Report 2025
We hope this report will inspire advocacy, investment, and innovation to ensure that all school grounds across Scotland are vibrant, inclusive spaces for play, learning, and community use.
www.playscotland.org/resources/pr...
We hope this report will inspire advocacy, investment, and innovation to ensure that all school grounds across Scotland are vibrant, inclusive spaces for play, learning, and community use.
www.playscotland.org/resources/pr...
December 10, 2025 at 11:02 AM
🚨 Report Published: Scottish School Grounds Survey Report 2025
We hope this report will inspire advocacy, investment, and innovation to ensure that all school grounds across Scotland are vibrant, inclusive spaces for play, learning, and community use.
www.playscotland.org/resources/pr...
We hope this report will inspire advocacy, investment, and innovation to ensure that all school grounds across Scotland are vibrant, inclusive spaces for play, learning, and community use.
www.playscotland.org/resources/pr...
"Amid the grief, displacement, and uncertainty that mark the asylum seeker experience, play offered something universal and deeply human: relief. Connection. Joy."
What a wonderful article about the power of play for healing!
time.com/7327163/play...
What a wonderful article about the power of play for healing!
time.com/7327163/play...
Why Playing is Good for You, According to Science
"Play isn’t just a frivolous pastime for children. It’s a powerful, even essential, tool for healing," writes Cas Holman.
time.com
December 8, 2025 at 2:17 PM
"Amid the grief, displacement, and uncertainty that mark the asylum seeker experience, play offered something universal and deeply human: relief. Connection. Joy."
What a wonderful article about the power of play for healing!
time.com/7327163/play...
What a wonderful article about the power of play for healing!
time.com/7327163/play...
"Excellent training, I have attended a lot of play training in the past, but this was one of the best for networking and useful guidance"
Our 2026 training courses are now open for booking!
They can fill up quickly, so please book your space in plenty of time: buytickets.at/playscotland
Our 2026 training courses are now open for booking!
They can fill up quickly, so please book your space in plenty of time: buytickets.at/playscotland
December 3, 2025 at 12:08 PM
"Excellent training, I have attended a lot of play training in the past, but this was one of the best for networking and useful guidance"
Our 2026 training courses are now open for booking!
They can fill up quickly, so please book your space in plenty of time: buytickets.at/playscotland
Our 2026 training courses are now open for booking!
They can fill up quickly, so please book your space in plenty of time: buytickets.at/playscotland
We're putting the finishing touches to our last newsletter of the year!
Sign up as a member to receive the latest play news straight into your inbox, along with a great discount on training courses.
playscotland.org/about/member...
Sign up as a member to receive the latest play news straight into your inbox, along with a great discount on training courses.
playscotland.org/about/member...
December 2, 2025 at 5:46 PM
We're putting the finishing touches to our last newsletter of the year!
Sign up as a member to receive the latest play news straight into your inbox, along with a great discount on training courses.
playscotland.org/about/member...
Sign up as a member to receive the latest play news straight into your inbox, along with a great discount on training courses.
playscotland.org/about/member...
Scotland's Highlights 2025: Scotland's Play Vision Statement and Action Plan was launched!
A world-leading plan to support every child's right to play in Scotland through three domains of parents, practitioners, and place.
#ScotlandHighlights2025
A world-leading plan to support every child's right to play in Scotland through three domains of parents, practitioners, and place.
#ScotlandHighlights2025
November 28, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Scotland's Highlights 2025: Scotland's Play Vision Statement and Action Plan was launched!
A world-leading plan to support every child's right to play in Scotland through three domains of parents, practitioners, and place.
#ScotlandHighlights2025
A world-leading plan to support every child's right to play in Scotland through three domains of parents, practitioners, and place.
#ScotlandHighlights2025
“the child’s right to health and development cannot be satisfied without also the fulfilment of their right to play.”
Whitaker and Tonkin (2024) Play and Health in Childhood
Whitaker and Tonkin (2024) Play and Health in Childhood
November 27, 2025 at 1:22 PM
“the child’s right to health and development cannot be satisfied without also the fulfilment of their right to play.”
Whitaker and Tonkin (2024) Play and Health in Childhood
Whitaker and Tonkin (2024) Play and Health in Childhood
🎄✨ One month to go until Christmas! ✨🎄
Before you start wrapping (and unwrapping!) this festive season, take a moment to think about the perhaps best toy of all... the cardboard box! 📦
👉 www.playscotland.org/the-best-toy...
Before you start wrapping (and unwrapping!) this festive season, take a moment to think about the perhaps best toy of all... the cardboard box! 📦
👉 www.playscotland.org/the-best-toy...
November 25, 2025 at 1:42 PM
🎄✨ One month to go until Christmas! ✨🎄
Before you start wrapping (and unwrapping!) this festive season, take a moment to think about the perhaps best toy of all... the cardboard box! 📦
👉 www.playscotland.org/the-best-toy...
Before you start wrapping (and unwrapping!) this festive season, take a moment to think about the perhaps best toy of all... the cardboard box! 📦
👉 www.playscotland.org/the-best-toy...
We love hearing from our PPA schools 🥰
"The lead inspector was very complimentary about play in our setting. She told me it is good to see play being done properly and a lot of that is down to what I am learning through our award journey."
Find out more 👇
www.playscotland.org/schools-chil...
"The lead inspector was very complimentary about play in our setting. She told me it is good to see play being done properly and a lot of that is down to what I am learning through our award journey."
Find out more 👇
www.playscotland.org/schools-chil...
November 21, 2025 at 3:47 PM
We love hearing from our PPA schools 🥰
"The lead inspector was very complimentary about play in our setting. She told me it is good to see play being done properly and a lot of that is down to what I am learning through our award journey."
Find out more 👇
www.playscotland.org/schools-chil...
"The lead inspector was very complimentary about play in our setting. She told me it is good to see play being done properly and a lot of that is down to what I am learning through our award journey."
Find out more 👇
www.playscotland.org/schools-chil...
"we should never be so old as merely to watch games instead of playing them"
— Historian and philosopher Will Durant
— Historian and philosopher Will Durant
November 21, 2025 at 9:15 AM
"we should never be so old as merely to watch games instead of playing them"
— Historian and philosopher Will Durant
— Historian and philosopher Will Durant
Looking forward to the discussion at #Urban95 Glasgow Child Friendly City Summit on #WorldChildrensDay to see how a city that works for children is a city that works for everyone #Article31 #moreplayplease #playeveryday
November 20, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Looking forward to the discussion at #Urban95 Glasgow Child Friendly City Summit on #WorldChildrensDay to see how a city that works for children is a city that works for everyone #Article31 #moreplayplease #playeveryday
Are you booked for our Risky Play Training?
Book your place now to learn:
🤔 What is risk–benefit assessment, and how it supports informed decision-making
⚖️ How to adopt a balanced, thoughtful approach to risk in your setting
www.tickettailor.com/events/plays...
Book your place now to learn:
🤔 What is risk–benefit assessment, and how it supports informed decision-making
⚖️ How to adopt a balanced, thoughtful approach to risk in your setting
www.tickettailor.com/events/plays...
November 19, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Are you booked for our Risky Play Training?
Book your place now to learn:
🤔 What is risk–benefit assessment, and how it supports informed decision-making
⚖️ How to adopt a balanced, thoughtful approach to risk in your setting
www.tickettailor.com/events/plays...
Book your place now to learn:
🤔 What is risk–benefit assessment, and how it supports informed decision-making
⚖️ How to adopt a balanced, thoughtful approach to risk in your setting
www.tickettailor.com/events/plays...
One week left to apply to join our board!
We are particularly interested in hearing from people with experience of:
👶 working with children and young people
💻 IT and websites
💼 HR or management
🕵️ policy & research
🗣️ comms
Closing Friday 21 November
www.playscotland.org/join-our-boa...
We are particularly interested in hearing from people with experience of:
👶 working with children and young people
💻 IT and websites
💼 HR or management
🕵️ policy & research
🗣️ comms
Closing Friday 21 November
www.playscotland.org/join-our-boa...
November 14, 2025 at 12:17 PM
One week left to apply to join our board!
We are particularly interested in hearing from people with experience of:
👶 working with children and young people
💻 IT and websites
💼 HR or management
🕵️ policy & research
🗣️ comms
Closing Friday 21 November
www.playscotland.org/join-our-boa...
We are particularly interested in hearing from people with experience of:
👶 working with children and young people
💻 IT and websites
💼 HR or management
🕵️ policy & research
🗣️ comms
Closing Friday 21 November
www.playscotland.org/join-our-boa...
Children know best what makes their local spaces great for play! 🏞️
Engaging them through #PlaySufficiencyAssessments helps create playful, inclusive communities.
Explore our guide 👉 www.playscotland.org/playful-comm...
Engaging them through #PlaySufficiencyAssessments helps create playful, inclusive communities.
Explore our guide 👉 www.playscotland.org/playful-comm...
November 13, 2025 at 1:53 PM
Children know best what makes their local spaces great for play! 🏞️
Engaging them through #PlaySufficiencyAssessments helps create playful, inclusive communities.
Explore our guide 👉 www.playscotland.org/playful-comm...
Engaging them through #PlaySufficiencyAssessments helps create playful, inclusive communities.
Explore our guide 👉 www.playscotland.org/playful-comm...
Pleased to be attending a seminar at the Observatory of Children’s Human Rights to discuss how we can make the Children’s Rights Scheme work for children in Scotland #UNCRC #Article12 #Article31
November 12, 2025 at 9:55 AM
Pleased to be attending a seminar at the Observatory of Children’s Human Rights to discuss how we can make the Children’s Rights Scheme work for children in Scotland #UNCRC #Article12 #Article31
Time spent playing outdoors has declined 50% in a generation.
That’s half the joy, half the adventures, half the memories.
Play isn't just fun, it is essential for healthy child development 💚
That’s half the joy, half the adventures, half the memories.
Play isn't just fun, it is essential for healthy child development 💚
November 11, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Time spent playing outdoors has declined 50% in a generation.
That’s half the joy, half the adventures, half the memories.
Play isn't just fun, it is essential for healthy child development 💚
That’s half the joy, half the adventures, half the memories.
Play isn't just fun, it is essential for healthy child development 💚
The Froebel workshop with Catriona Campbell & Caitlin Thomlinson was fantastic! Catriona reminded us that “communication unlocks the curriculum,” and Caitlin shared her brilliant block play research showing how deep learning unfolds through time, space & trust. #PlayPedagogy #Froebel
November 9, 2025 at 10:51 AM
The Froebel workshop with Catriona Campbell & Caitlin Thomlinson was fantastic! Catriona reminded us that “communication unlocks the curriculum,” and Caitlin shared her brilliant block play research showing how deep learning unfolds through time, space & trust. #PlayPedagogy #Froebel