June 11th is International Day of Play in Nova Scotia!
Play is a right, not a privilege! International Day of Play is on June 11th annually. Whether you're in Halifax or a small community, there are free events, tools, and resources to help you bring the power of play to life.
The IDOP celebrates and raises awareness of the right to play, as enshrined in Article 31 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the most widely ratified human rights treaty.
International Day of Play is a chance to bring communities together around something simple and powerful — the joy of play. Join an event taking place across Nova Scotia or create an event in your own community, or neighbourhood and be part of a play celebration helping to ensure that children have the time, space, and freedom to play.
Recreation Nova Scotia recognizes the importance of play as an intrinsic part of childhood fostering fun and discovery as well as contributing to children’s social, physical, emotional and cognitive expression and growth. Recreation Nova Scotia supports IDOP by making available online tools and resources to help members and communities organize their own celebrations marking the International Day of Play.
Let's Get Ready for International Day of Play 2026
Now in its third year, the day recognizes the fundamental right of every child to play and highlights play’s powerful role in supporting children’s health, learning, creativity, and social connections. Across the world, communities celebrate IDOP by creating welcoming spaces where children and families can move, imagine, explore, and connect. This year’s theme is, “protect play, protect childhood”.
How You Can Get Involved
- Host an IDOP event in your town, local park, or neighbourhood – we have tools to build on your ideas and help create the fun.
- Volunteer or partner – Join forces with organizations across Nova Scotia.
- Spread the word – Use #IDoP2026 and #IDoP2026NovaScotia and share your play-filled moments.
IDoP Resources
Community organizations, neighbourhoods, parents and caregivers are invited utilize resources available on the Recreation Nova Scotia Website: https://www.recreationns.ns.ca/events/international-day-of-play/international-day-of-play-resources.html
These tools include:
- Community activation kits
- Play activity guides
- Promotional graphics and social media materials
- Event planning and facilitation tools
Add ideas to these starter tools and resources based on your own experiences and celebrate play in your town, local park or neighbourhood.
2026 IDoP Events
Dartmouth International Day of Play
Date: Saturday, June 6, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: Dartmouth Ferry Terminal Park
Families and children are invited to join us for a fun-filled celebration of active, outdoor play, featuring:
- Loose parts play zones that spark creativity and imagination
- Classic outdoor games that bring generations together
- Facilitated play activities led by volunteers and community leaders
- Open-ended free play spaces where kids can explore and move freely
- A vibrant community atmosphere celebrating the joy and importance of play
All activities are free and family friendly.
Are you hosting an event in your community? Send the details to
Short Documentaries on Childhood and Play
This is Why Play is so Important
This is Why Play is So Important – The film, commissioned by Play Wales, captures why play is vital to children’s development, mental health, wellbeing, and happiness. From street play to playgrounds, living rooms to back gardens, the film captures play in all its different guises and offers a unique insight into what play means to children of all ages. Source - Public Health Network Cymru (Wales).
Running Free: Children's Independent Mobility
Running Free: Children's Independent Mobility - Letting our children loose to explore their neighbourhoods, to get from home to school and back, or to play with friends just ain’t what it used to be. For over 40 years, kids’ independent mobility has been in a state of progressive decline. In this documentary, three families share the journeys that lead to their children being empowered to get around more independently. Source - PlayGroundology, Producer - Guy Faulkner.
The Children of Fogo Island
The Children of Fogo Island - It’s the summer of 1967 in a remote region of Newfoundland. Local kids are shadowing a documentary film crew on Fogo Island in Canada’s far east. Their status as curious onlookers is flipped on its head when the director turns the camera on them. The kids become part of the action. Source – PlayGroundology, Director - Colin Low, National Film Board of Canada.