United Nations approves official match day

The LEGO Group has always celebrated the importance of play and celebrated this with special days. Now that focus on the benefits of play has been officially recognized by the UN, as it has declared June 11 as the International Day of Play. The first day of celebration will take place this summer. You can find more information below.

The UN signals the importance of play by adopting the official International Play Day

Global partners have successfully called on the United Nations to establish an International Day of Play to defend and protect children's right to play.
International Play Day is on June 11 and the opening celebration will take place in 2024.
Global research of more than 25,000 children in 36 countries shows that as many as 73% of children don't believe adults take play – and how it can help them learn – seriously.

BILLUND, DENMARK, March 26, 2024: Playing is a fundamental right for every child. Yet the importance of play in helping children develop lifelong skills is often forgotten. With only 30% of adults aware that play is a fundamental birthright adopted by the United Nations (UN) in 1989, there is an urgent need to put play back on the agenda.

To realize this ambition, a dedicated network of global organizations, gaming experts and, most importantly, children and young people themselves, has called on UN Member States to support the resolution for an International Day of Game. The LEGO Group, the LEGO Foundation and other founding members of the movement are proud to announce that the UN General Assembly has approved this International Day of Awareness.

Niels B. Christiansen, CEO of the LEGO Group said of the adoption: “We believe that all children should benefit from the power of play. For more than 90 years, we have advocated for children's right to play because we know it can change lives. It strengthens family bonds and helps children develop essential skills and reach their full potential. For the past two years we have organized our own World Play Day to celebrate the importance of play. Now we're excited to turn it into a global movement to engage and impact even more children together with our partners. The adoption of an International Play Day by the UN is a true testament to the power of play and the need to collectively defend and protect the right of all children to play.” Sidsel Marie Kristensen, CEO of the LEGO Foundation added : “At the LEGO Foundation, we strive for children to become creative, lifelong learners who thrive in an ever-changing world. We know that play stimulates curiosity, sparks creativity, unlocks essential skills, promotes well-being and inspires a lifelong learning journey. Play is children's superpower, but not all children experience the benefits of learning through play. The challenge for all of us is to make play part of every child's reality. An International Play Day is an important recognition of a child's right to play. Let's work together to ensure every child has the space and time to play and be the superheroes they are.”

Playing is never just playing

Play is universal and uses children's natural enthusiasm and curiosity to learn. It teaches them to discover and wonder, connect ideas and experiences and gain a deeper understanding of the world. When children play, they develop essential life skills, which are fundamental to their own progress and that of society.

Amine, a member of the Children and Youth Advisory Group France, said: “Playing is not just for fun. It is an essential part of our human nature. Through play we learn, grow and develop skills that will shape our future.”

This is why the International Day of Play network of organizations is committed to encouraging a global play movement for children everywhere for generations to come. The work was initiated by the LEGO Group and the LEGO Foundation in collaboration with ADEA, ARUP, BRAC, Change International, Right To Play International, Save the Children, Sesame Workshop and The Mattel Children's Foundation.

The movement draws on further global insights showing that on average three in five (59%) children would like to play more than they do now, while four in five (79%) of children would like to play more with their parents or with their parents to play. caregiver. Research also shows that eight in ten (78%) of children say adults don't always consider play important and seven in ten (73%) don't believe adults use play – and how it can help them learn – seriously.

The world needs more play

UNICEF estimates that 160 million children around the world work instead of playing or learning. But even in their darkest moments, children can find their way back to hope, health and happiness through play.

The adoption of a UN resolution for a day focused on play takes children's rights one step further. It creates a unifying moment at global, national and local levels to make the importance of play central to children's learning and well-being. Ensuring time to play, space to play and support for high-quality play are priorities.

The International Day of Game coalition of partners celebrates the ratification of this important movement, recognizing the true power of the game at the highest political level. We invite everyone to join us in celebrating the power of the game on June 11 this year and every year thereafter.