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Play Scotland is the lead organisation for the development and promotion of play in Scotland.
We work to make the child’s right to play a reality.
More play, better play.
To do this, we:
- Raise Awareness »
- Empower Parents, Practitioners, & Communities »
- Lead Research »
- Influence Policy »
- Support Members »
Raise Awareness
Why: Everyone should know what play is and why it is important.
Play Day
Play Scotland sit on the steering group for Play Day.
Play day is a celebration of children and young people’s right to play.
Find out more about Play Day here »
Intro to Play Video Series
Play Scotland produce short videos on play topics that are easy to understand and share.
Watch our Intro to Play Video Series here »
Social media
Play Scotland has an active social media presence where we share the latest news, research and ideas in the play sector.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
The Play Well Podcast
Each month we interview an expert on play and release a new episode of our podcast.
Subscribe to our podcast or listen on YouTube.
Empower Parents, Practitioners, & Communities
Why: share ideas and develop practice to ensure high quality and diverse play opportunities.
Play ideas
We have a huge selection of play ideas, resources, and tools to support and extend play.
Find our collection of play ideas here »
Training
We run online training courses on a variety of topics relating to play.
Check out our Eventbrite for upcoming courses or get in touch with our Learning & Development Officer Jenny Lester to discuss your training needs.
Let’s Talk About Play
We run free informal sessions for our members to meet other people interested in play and to discuss and learn from one another.
Check out our Eventbrite for upcoming events.
Schools
We work with schools to deliver a number of projects to increase play throughout the school day.
Find out about how your school can get involved here »
Out of School Care
We work with settings and childminders to embed best practice on play.
Find out more about how to get involved here »
Communities
We offer guidance to communities who want to increase the amount and quality of play in their area.
Find out more about how to get involved here »
Lead Research
Why: demonstrate the power of play, build new knowledge and best practice to increase and improve play in Scotland and to
Action research projects
We work with partners and settings to co-create action research projects to develop knowledge and best practice.
Find out about our projects here »
Create Guidance and tools
We create guidance and tools on play. Our resource library has a wealth of information and guidance.
Find out more about our guidance and tools on play »
Highlight research
We share the latest research and reports on play from academics from around the world.
Find out more about research on play here »
Influence Policy
Why: ensure successful creation and implementation of play policy and ensure children’s voices are heard in the creation and implementation of play policy
Local Authorities & Planning
We support local authorities respond to Scottish Government policy and guidance on play, including Open Space Strategies and Play Sufficiency Assessments, in order to deliver increased play and physical activity for children in Scotland.
Find out more about the support we offer to local authorities on play and planning »
Play Strategy
We work as part of the Play Council for Scotland to support the Scottish Government to deliver Scotland’s Play Strategy.
Find out more about Scotland’s Play Strategy here »
Consultation responses & White papers
We frequently respond to consultations from the Scottish government to build a world-leading policy framework for play in Scotland. We work to ensure that children and young people’s voices are heard on key policies and strategies.
Read our consultation responses and white papers here »
Manifesto for Play
As well as working on specific policies and strategies, Play Scotland also has a radical vision for the future of Scotland as a playful nation. We call on all political parties to commit to supporting these Ten Asks For Play #TenAsksForPlay.
Read our Manifesto for Play here »
Support Members
Why: to link up and support people who are passionate about play
Benefits
- Discount on all our training courses, workshops and networking events.
- Regular e-updates, newsletters and information on consultations
- Connection with others in the wider network of play provision across the four nations and beyond
- Opportunities to feed in to local and national policy
- Voting rights at our General Meetings and on resolutions of the organisation
Let’s Talk Play
We run free informal sessions for our members to meet other people interested in play and to discuss and learn from one another.
Check out our Eventbrite for upcoming events »
Newsletter
We send a monthly newsletter to our members. Our newsletter is packed with news, events, and ideas!
Sign up as a member to receive our newsletter here »
Play Charter
As part of signing up to be a member of Play Scotland, you can sign up to support our Play Charter.
Find out more about the Play Charter here »
Annual Reports
You can read more about what we have done in previous years from the link below.