Right To Play and organizations around the world are calling for more investment in play in a world that’s getting harder for children
Islamabad : On the second annual International Day of Play (June 11), Right To Play and organizations around the world are urging governments, educators, and the international community to invest in play as a key driver of children’s learning and well-being, and to protect every child’s right to play.
Opportunities for play are being squeezed out of childhood. More than 224 million children face barriers to play and education because of poverty, conflict, and climate-related crises. Research shows that 160 million children around the world are working instead of playing or learning, and children today are 62% less likely to play than baby boomer grandparents. Losing these opportunities has serious effects on children’s learning, development, and well-being.
International Day of Play (IDOP) is a moment to celebrate the incredible power of play in children’s lives and call for more investments to ensure that children can learn, develop, and heal through play. First established by the United Nations in 2024, IDOP raises awareness that play is not just a pastime – it’s a transformational force in children’s lives.
A new policy brief from Right To Play, a global NGO with programs in 14 countries, released days before IDOP shows that an investment in play-based learning is an effective, low-cost, and responsive way to boost children’s literacy, numeracy, and foundational learning skills. In Tanzania, the number of Grade 4 students who could read to comprehension rose to 98% in Right To Play- partner schools where play-based learning approaches were used, compared to 53% in non-supported schools.
“Play is powerful. Through play, children explore and understand the world, learn how to collaborate and empathize with others, build the confidence to claim their rights, and develop a lifelong love of learning,” says Susan McIsaac, President & CEO of Right To Play International. “For more than 25 years, Right To Play has harnessed the power of play to protect, educate, and empower millions of children each year to rise above adversity. We are proud to be one of the founding members of the International Day of Play, working with partners to give global legitimacy to what children have always known: that every child should have the right to play.”
Right To Play Pakistan organized early celebrations of Play Fest due to the summer vacation, holding events in Islamabad and Thatta on May 22 and May 27, 2025, respectively, to mark the second annual International Day of Play (June 11). The events gathered around 1,500 children, educators, and partners to promote the importance of play in learning and well-being at both locations. Diverse activity zones featuring physical games, creative arts, traditional play, quiz corners, and cognitive challenges were set up, where children participated in their favourite activities. The Fest highlighted the role of play in education, child development, and mental health. A special pledge ceremony saw educators commit to integrating more play into school settings. The event reinforced calls for greater investment in play, especially for vulnerable children facing poverty, conflict, and climate crises.
About Right To Play
Right To Play is a global organization that protects, educates, and empowers children to rise above adversity using the power of play. For more than 25 years, we have reached millions of children each year in some of the most difficult places on earth, helping them to stay in school and learn, overcome prejudice, heal from trauma, and develop the skills they need to thrive. We do this by harnessing play, one of the most fundamental forces in a child’s life, to teach children the critical skills they need to dismantle barriers and embrace opportunities, in learning and in life. For more information, visit www.righttoplay.com
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
