Tag: Playday

MSP celebrates Play Day in Edinburgh

To celebrate National Play Day today (Wednesday 1 August 2018), Edinburgh Pentlands MSP Gordon Macdonald  will be joining locals at Clovenstone Community Centre, to mark the importance of children’s right to play, with everything from loose parts play and street arts to water play and a messy baby paint zone.

National Play Day will see thousands of children and their families out and about, playing at hundreds of community events across the country. From local community events to national events organised in parks and open spaces, Playday takes many different shapes to allow everyone to take part. As well as the events, organised by Play Scotland, National Play Day is a campaign that underlines the importance of play in children’s lives.

Gordon Macdonald MSP will be joining Clovenstone Community Centre’s Play Day, from 1pm-4pm, which will bring local organisations together with loose parts play provided by the City of Edinburgh Council, pop up kitchen with tasting Change, drumming with Dads rock, sensory baby zone with Starcatchers, Street Arts, natural play with edible estates and Bookbug with Wester Hailes Library.

North Edinburgh Arts are also participating, holding a Picnic and Play event from11am to 1.15pm. The MSP is encouraging everyone to try and make it along, have fun and celebrate the benefits of play!

Commenting SNP MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, Gordon Macdonald, said: “We all have great childhood memories of playing with friends, a lot of the memories being outdoors. Playing is something you are born into, it’s how you learn and express your creativity. The benefits to the health and wellbeing of children are crystal clear – when you see the smiles and hear the laughter of children playing together.

“National Play Day’s, like the one I’m going to at Clovenstone Community Centre today, gives children and families a chance to get out and play safely in streets and local neighbourhoods – getting to know new people in your area and strengthening the community.”

Celebrate Playday with Picnic and Play at North Edinburgh Arts

Date/Time:  01/08/2018 11am to 1.15pm
Venue: North Edinburgh Arts, 15a Pennywell Court, Edinburgh EH4 4TZ
Contact: Virginia Radcliffe
Email: info@licketyspit.com
Open to the public: Yes

Licketyspit – Picnic & Play at North Edinburgh Arts (Local families)

Licketyspit’s fantastic Picnic & Play session for families with children under twelve.
Licketyspit actor-pedagogues introduce their unforgettable collection of games, rhymes, songs, street-play and imaginary play activities – from Witches Fingers to The Magic Ball, Dressing Up and Blanket Play, followed by a delicious Picnic and Drawing & The Magic Clap!

A chance for children & their adults to play together! Sessions are relaxed, fun, FREE and inclusive. Join Licketyspit’s Children & Families Network to hear first about Picnic & Play, Bookplay & Porridge & Play in community & arts spaces, museums, parks, galleries and castles!

We are expecting high demand for places so please email info@licketyspit.com with ticket requests.

Family fun and games at Grassmarket

Old Town gets ready to celebrate Playday

playday1Edinburgh’s Grassmarket will be transformed into a giant children’s play area tomorrow as the city to promote play in the city. The historic Old Town street will be transformed, with lots of family-friendly activities on offer including junk drumming, giant weaving, magic potions, a giant sand pit, water play and a cardboard city!

The event hopes to build on the successes of previous years where thousands of people have came along to join in Playday activities.

Playday is the national day for play, which is being celebrated next week. On Playday thousands of children and their families get out to play at hundreds of community events across the UK.

As well as a celebration of children’s right to play, Playday is a campaign that highlights the importance of play in children’s lives. It’s all about learning for life and showing that play is fun not just for the child but for adults as well.

logoCouncillor Keith Robson is the city council’s ‘Play Champion’. He said: “Play is a massively important part of a child’s development and makes a tremendous contribution to happy and healthy childhoods. Our very popular Playday in the Grassmarket provides a fantastic opportunity to celebrate play and promote its many benefits.

“One of our objectives is that we want to ensure that communities recognise the importance of play for children especially outdoor play. Not only are there significant health benefits from being out in the open air, but also exposure to a range of different activities can help a child’s development.

“Here in Edinburgh we’re very lucky to have some fantastic outdoor spaces and I would encourage all parents to get outdoors with their children during these lovely summer months. The great park at west end of Princes Street Gardens has been a family favourite these holidays when friends have been visiting from around the UK.”

Edinburgh’s Playday event will be held in the Grassmarket from 12.30pm – 4.30pm. On offer will be a giant sand pit, water play, magic potions, cardboard city, play pod, mud kitchen, giant weaving, play for babies, junk drumming and much more!

Access is free but children should be accompanied by an adult. For more information contact

cf.play@edinburgh.gov.uk

Edinburgh_Playday_369x475There have already been two meetings of the Edinburgh Play Forum which is made up of various community groups, schools and other organisations with an interest in promoting play in the city. The aim is to make Edinburgh a playful city where children can enjoy their childhood.

The Council is currently updating it’s Play Strategy which will be discussed at the Education, Children & Families Committee later in the year.