International Day of Play 2025

Choose Play – Every Day

This special day is marked annually on 11 June, after it was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2024. It ‘creates a unifying moment at global, national, and local levels to elevate the importance of play.’

Polyglot’s mission is to make transformational, playful arts experiences for children everywhere. Play is one of our organisational values; it is the basis for our creative exploration and vital for children’s development, health and wellbeing.

The 2025 International Day of Play theme is Choose Play – Every Day: “… a reminder for all of us – governments, businesses, schools and families – to take decisions that embrace and prioritize play for children.”

To celebrate, Polyglot invited two of our Generator artists to respond to the theme.

Today I choose play

A poem by Lauren Swain

Play doesn’t fear mess
Or unkept spaces.
Age or full calendars.
Play doesn’t shy away from time.
It can live with and whoever will have it.
Not reserved for those who are young in body.
Play is there for all, waiting.
A lens you can draw upon,
To see your day through.

Today my play can be seen in:
The dustpan rubble,
Foam of dishes washed,
The butter that was spread on my morning toast,
Leftovers of a dinner with loved ones,
Big Sunday house mops,
Blown in with the leaves of a windy day,
Fallen from bouquets gifted,
Engraved in a monsteras lost limb,
And finished off with a hot cup of tea and cake.

Play can be everyday, if you choose to see with it.

Day of Play

A video by Zak Pidd

Be part of Polyglot

Polyglot is driven by children’s rights, as recognised by the United Nations, to play, participation in arts and culture, and freedom of expression. Since 2018, more than 156,000 children and families have been able to access Polyglot’s work for free; 83% of our total audience.

To keep dreaming, making and touring, we need champions who share our vision. Audiences to join our creative adventures. Partners to present our performances and events. Peers and advocates to collaborate. Funders, sponsors and donors to provide financial stability from which our artistry can soar.

Together, we make Polyglot everything it is.

Learn more: polyglot.org.au/support-us/be-part-of-polyglot-2025

Header image: Paper Planet, 2023. Photo: Katje Ford, Sydney Opera House.