Play Scotland
@playscotland.bsky.social
The national expert in play for parents, policymakers and the play workforce
Email: [email protected]
#PlayEveryday
https://linktr.ee/playscotland
Email: [email protected]
#PlayEveryday
https://linktr.ee/playscotland
Pinned
Play Scotland
@playscotland.bsky.social
· Mar 25
Launch of Scotland's Play Vision Statement and Action Plan 2025-2030 - Play Scotland
We are delighted to celebrate the launch of Scotland's Play Vision Statement and Action Plan 2025-2030.
www.playscotland.org
🎉Celebrating the launch of Scotland's Play Vision Statement and Action Plan!
This is a clear commitment from the Scottish Government to play opportunities and experiences for all our children and young people.
www.playscotland.org/launch-of-sc...
#EduSky #ScotEduSky
This is a clear commitment from the Scottish Government to play opportunities and experiences for all our children and young people.
www.playscotland.org/launch-of-sc...
#EduSky #ScotEduSky
Stop missing out on Play Scotland's newsletter 🗞 delivering updates on all things play to your inbox at the beginning of every month.
Sign up as a member to receive the newsletter & access the discount code on all training!
📌 No spam!
www.playscotland.org/about/member...
Sign up as a member to receive the newsletter & access the discount code on all training!
📌 No spam!
www.playscotland.org/about/member...
February 2, 2026 at 8:30 AM
Stop missing out on Play Scotland's newsletter 🗞 delivering updates on all things play to your inbox at the beginning of every month.
Sign up as a member to receive the newsletter & access the discount code on all training!
📌 No spam!
www.playscotland.org/about/member...
Sign up as a member to receive the newsletter & access the discount code on all training!
📌 No spam!
www.playscotland.org/about/member...
The Scottish Government is consulting on updates to school premises regulations to help ensure schools are safe, accessible and support children’s learning, wellbeing and play.
The consultation is open until Tuesday 24th March and your input is imperative!
consult.gov.scot/learning-dir...
The consultation is open until Tuesday 24th March and your input is imperative!
consult.gov.scot/learning-dir...
Proposals to update the School Premises Regulations - Scottish Government consultations - Citizen Space
Find and participate in consultations run by The Scottish Government
consult.gov.scot
January 30, 2026 at 8:01 AM
The Scottish Government is consulting on updates to school premises regulations to help ensure schools are safe, accessible and support children’s learning, wellbeing and play.
The consultation is open until Tuesday 24th March and your input is imperative!
consult.gov.scot/learning-dir...
The consultation is open until Tuesday 24th March and your input is imperative!
consult.gov.scot/learning-dir...
Play parks are at their best when everyone can get involved, just like all play. This family in Nottinghamshire has recently had a new accessible play park installed, which means little Rupert can now join in with his siblings at the playground, a wonderful story!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
'My disabled son can finally play with his brothers'
Rupert, 7, used to watch his brothers play at the local park until his mother campaigned for change.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 28, 2026 at 4:02 PM
Play parks are at their best when everyone can get involved, just like all play. This family in Nottinghamshire has recently had a new accessible play park installed, which means little Rupert can now join in with his siblings at the playground, a wonderful story!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Fiona Kirkland, our Play Pedagogy Lead, showcases the work of Play Scotland and speaks to students about the importance of play, loose parts and the child’s right to play at West Lothian College Children and Young People’s Rights Conference #Article31 #moreplayplease #playeveryday
January 28, 2026 at 11:44 AM
Fiona Kirkland, our Play Pedagogy Lead, showcases the work of Play Scotland and speaks to students about the importance of play, loose parts and the child’s right to play at West Lothian College Children and Young People’s Rights Conference #Article31 #moreplayplease #playeveryday
What does the future hold for play in Scotland and beyond? Join our CEO Mary Ramsay, Tim Gill, Tam Baillie and Prof John McKendrick for the final session of Upstart's Born to Play book club series: a Q&A to explore where play is headed 📍
Born to Play: Where next for Play?
The final session of Upstart’s 'Born to Play' Book Club series: a Q and A with Tim Gill, Mary Ramsay, Tam Baillie and Prof John McKendrick
www.eventbrite.co.uk
January 27, 2026 at 12:02 PM
What does the future hold for play in Scotland and beyond? Join our CEO Mary Ramsay, Tim Gill, Tam Baillie and Prof John McKendrick for the final session of Upstart's Born to Play book club series: a Q&A to explore where play is headed 📍
Reposted by Play Scotland
Join us, alongside Education Scotland and Police Scotland on Wednesday 25 February from 5:30-6:30pm to hear all about how we can help keep ourselves and our children and young people safe online.
Sign up here: www.eventbrite.com/e/cyber-scot...
#cyber #onlinesafety #children #youngpeople
Sign up here: www.eventbrite.com/e/cyber-scot...
#cyber #onlinesafety #children #youngpeople
January 21, 2026 at 11:16 AM
Join us, alongside Education Scotland and Police Scotland on Wednesday 25 February from 5:30-6:30pm to hear all about how we can help keep ourselves and our children and young people safe online.
Sign up here: www.eventbrite.com/e/cyber-scot...
#cyber #onlinesafety #children #youngpeople
Sign up here: www.eventbrite.com/e/cyber-scot...
#cyber #onlinesafety #children #youngpeople
Has your school signed the active uniform pledge?
Make play times easier by ensuring an always-active uniform! 👇
Make play times easier by ensuring an always-active uniform! 👇
We're delighted that more than 70 primary schools have now signed the active uniform pledge! Your school can join them, here: activeuniform.org/take-the-ple...
Has your school already adopted an always-active uniform? We'd love to hear all about it.
youtu.be/DzKVHQY6lsQ?...
Has your school already adopted an always-active uniform? We'd love to hear all about it.
youtu.be/DzKVHQY6lsQ?...
Made to Move
YouTube video by Outdoor Play and Learning (OPAL)
youtu.be
January 26, 2026 at 1:41 PM
Has your school signed the active uniform pledge?
Make play times easier by ensuring an always-active uniform! 👇
Make play times easier by ensuring an always-active uniform! 👇
🌿🔥 “Gie me ae spark o' Nature's fire, That's a' the learning I desire.”
– Robert Burns
Through play in nature, children learn by exploring, imagining, and problem-solving.
Let’s keep the spark alive by protecting time, space and opportunities for children to play outdoors.
– Robert Burns
Through play in nature, children learn by exploring, imagining, and problem-solving.
Let’s keep the spark alive by protecting time, space and opportunities for children to play outdoors.
January 23, 2026 at 4:24 PM
🌿🔥 “Gie me ae spark o' Nature's fire, That's a' the learning I desire.”
– Robert Burns
Through play in nature, children learn by exploring, imagining, and problem-solving.
Let’s keep the spark alive by protecting time, space and opportunities for children to play outdoors.
– Robert Burns
Through play in nature, children learn by exploring, imagining, and problem-solving.
Let’s keep the spark alive by protecting time, space and opportunities for children to play outdoors.
💸 January can feel tight – but play doesn’t have to cost a penny ✏️📄
With just pen and paper, you can enjoy hours of fun:
🎲 Play noughts and crosses, or other paper games
🖍️ Make up a comic or cartoon
🗺️ Draw a treasure map and invent an adventure
Let’s celebrate low-cost, no-cost play 💛
With just pen and paper, you can enjoy hours of fun:
🎲 Play noughts and crosses, or other paper games
🖍️ Make up a comic or cartoon
🗺️ Draw a treasure map and invent an adventure
Let’s celebrate low-cost, no-cost play 💛
January 19, 2026 at 2:03 PM
💸 January can feel tight – but play doesn’t have to cost a penny ✏️📄
With just pen and paper, you can enjoy hours of fun:
🎲 Play noughts and crosses, or other paper games
🖍️ Make up a comic or cartoon
🗺️ Draw a treasure map and invent an adventure
Let’s celebrate low-cost, no-cost play 💛
With just pen and paper, you can enjoy hours of fun:
🎲 Play noughts and crosses, or other paper games
🖍️ Make up a comic or cartoon
🗺️ Draw a treasure map and invent an adventure
Let’s celebrate low-cost, no-cost play 💛
Play for all: Rights, Responsibility and Inclusive Practice
Thurs 22 Jan 6-8pm:
⚖️ The legal context of play as a children's right
🧒 Your responsibility to provide inclusive play opportunities
🎨 support play experiences that bring children together across differences
buytickets.at/playscotland...
Thurs 22 Jan 6-8pm:
⚖️ The legal context of play as a children's right
🧒 Your responsibility to provide inclusive play opportunities
🎨 support play experiences that bring children together across differences
buytickets.at/playscotland...
January 15, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Play for all: Rights, Responsibility and Inclusive Practice
Thurs 22 Jan 6-8pm:
⚖️ The legal context of play as a children's right
🧒 Your responsibility to provide inclusive play opportunities
🎨 support play experiences that bring children together across differences
buytickets.at/playscotland...
Thurs 22 Jan 6-8pm:
⚖️ The legal context of play as a children's right
🧒 Your responsibility to provide inclusive play opportunities
🎨 support play experiences that bring children together across differences
buytickets.at/playscotland...
🎉 The message is spreading far and wide: Forest schools in Hong Kong are embracing Risky Play for children as young as 2! Forest School camps, wellness and wilderness activities (not just for children!), and classroom learning in the great outdoors 👇
www.scmp.com/special-repo...
www.scmp.com/special-repo...
How outdoor classrooms are shaping young minds, from Denmark to Hong Kong
Malvern College and International College believe in the power of outdoor learning and growing in nature’s classroom to build curiosity and resilience.
www.scmp.com
January 14, 2026 at 8:01 AM
🎉 The message is spreading far and wide: Forest schools in Hong Kong are embracing Risky Play for children as young as 2! Forest School camps, wellness and wilderness activities (not just for children!), and classroom learning in the great outdoors 👇
www.scmp.com/special-repo...
www.scmp.com/special-repo...
👏 We're delighted to see the opening of another inclusive play park!
Play is a right for every child, and achieving that means more spaces must be inclusive and accessible.
It's fantastic to see Scotland giving this the importance it deserves! ✨
www.dgwgo.com/community-fo...
Play is a right for every child, and achieving that means more spaces must be inclusive and accessible.
It's fantastic to see Scotland giving this the importance it deserves! ✨
www.dgwgo.com/community-fo...
Gatehouse Welcomes New Inclusive Play Park
Dumfries and Galloway Council is delighted to announce the opening of the new inclusive play park in Garrie's Park in Gatehouse of Fleet – the fourth
www.dgwgo.com
January 12, 2026 at 12:01 PM
👏 We're delighted to see the opening of another inclusive play park!
Play is a right for every child, and achieving that means more spaces must be inclusive and accessible.
It's fantastic to see Scotland giving this the importance it deserves! ✨
www.dgwgo.com/community-fo...
Play is a right for every child, and achieving that means more spaces must be inclusive and accessible.
It's fantastic to see Scotland giving this the importance it deserves! ✨
www.dgwgo.com/community-fo...
Don't forget to book your place for our next training, this coming Tuesday 13th January.
Learn how to design and implement a robust policy that supports a play pedagogy approach within your school.
Book through our website: www.playscotland.org/schools-chil...
Learn how to design and implement a robust policy that supports a play pedagogy approach within your school.
Book through our website: www.playscotland.org/schools-chil...
January 9, 2026 at 12:46 PM
Don't forget to book your place for our next training, this coming Tuesday 13th January.
Learn how to design and implement a robust policy that supports a play pedagogy approach within your school.
Book through our website: www.playscotland.org/schools-chil...
Learn how to design and implement a robust policy that supports a play pedagogy approach within your school.
Book through our website: www.playscotland.org/schools-chil...
Are your children off school today because of the snow?
While school closures are stressful to manage, a fresh coating of snow can provide the most magical playground for day off fun!
Find out top snow play ideas: www.playscotland.org/resources/sn...
While school closures are stressful to manage, a fresh coating of snow can provide the most magical playground for day off fun!
Find out top snow play ideas: www.playscotland.org/resources/sn...
January 5, 2026 at 10:57 AM
Are your children off school today because of the snow?
While school closures are stressful to manage, a fresh coating of snow can provide the most magical playground for day off fun!
Find out top snow play ideas: www.playscotland.org/resources/sn...
While school closures are stressful to manage, a fresh coating of snow can provide the most magical playground for day off fun!
Find out top snow play ideas: www.playscotland.org/resources/sn...
Happy New Year from Play Scotland!
We're working on our first newsletter of 2026.
To make sure you get the latest play news straight into your inbox each month, sign up as a member today - it's free!
playscotland.org/about/member...
We're working on our first newsletter of 2026.
To make sure you get the latest play news straight into your inbox each month, sign up as a member today - it's free!
playscotland.org/about/member...
January 5, 2026 at 10:01 AM
Happy New Year from Play Scotland!
We're working on our first newsletter of 2026.
To make sure you get the latest play news straight into your inbox each month, sign up as a member today - it's free!
playscotland.org/about/member...
We're working on our first newsletter of 2026.
To make sure you get the latest play news straight into your inbox each month, sign up as a member today - it's free!
playscotland.org/about/member...
Playing in the mud is fun! But new research also shows it is transformative for children's health. Children who play in dirt have:
🦠 less disease-causing bacteria on their skin
⚪ increased T cells in the blood
🩺 better immune system regulation
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
🦠 less disease-causing bacteria on their skin
⚪ increased T cells in the blood
🩺 better immune system regulation
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
How a radical experiment to bring a forest into a preschool transformed children’s health
In Finland, kindergartens are exposing children to more mud, wild plants and moss - and finding changes to their health that show how crucial biodiversity is to wellbeing
www.theguardian.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Playing in the mud is fun! But new research also shows it is transformative for children's health. Children who play in dirt have:
🦠 less disease-causing bacteria on their skin
⚪ increased T cells in the blood
🩺 better immune system regulation
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
🦠 less disease-causing bacteria on their skin
⚪ increased T cells in the blood
🩺 better immune system regulation
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
“Play is as natural to children as breathing. It is a universal expression of children, and it can transcend differences in ethnicity, language, or other aspects of culture.”
Charles Schaefer and Athena Drewes:
Charles Schaefer and Athena Drewes:
December 16, 2025 at 3:13 PM
“Play is as natural to children as breathing. It is a universal expression of children, and it can transcend differences in ethnicity, language, or other aspects of culture.”
Charles Schaefer and Athena Drewes:
Charles Schaefer and Athena Drewes:
Congratulations to Cherie Morgan, our outstanding Director of Projects, on her new role of CEO of Planning Aid Scotland!
This is a great appointment and a well-deserved next step for someone who has brought vision, commitment, and warmth to everything she's led.
Best wishes for your new role!
This is a great appointment and a well-deserved next step for someone who has brought vision, commitment, and warmth to everything she's led.
Best wishes for your new role!
We're delighted to welcome Cherie Morgan as our new Chief Executive, joining us in Feb 2026.
With nearly 30 years in the third sector, Cherie brings a wealth of experience in community engagement, inclusive participation, and placemaking.
🔗 Full announcement: www.pas.org.uk/news/chief-executive/
With nearly 30 years in the third sector, Cherie brings a wealth of experience in community engagement, inclusive participation, and placemaking.
🔗 Full announcement: www.pas.org.uk/news/chief-executive/
Welcome to our new Chief Executive - Planning Aid Scotland
Planning Aid Scotland is pleased to announce that Cherie Morgan will be joining as Chief Executive in the new year.
www.pas.org.uk
December 12, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Congratulations to Cherie Morgan, our outstanding Director of Projects, on her new role of CEO of Planning Aid Scotland!
This is a great appointment and a well-deserved next step for someone who has brought vision, commitment, and warmth to everything she's led.
Best wishes for your new role!
This is a great appointment and a well-deserved next step for someone who has brought vision, commitment, and warmth to everything she's led.
Best wishes for your new role!
🚨 Report Published: Scottish School Grounds Survey Report 2025
We hope this report will inspire advocacy, investment, and innovation to ensure that all school grounds across Scotland are vibrant, inclusive spaces for play, learning, and community use.
www.playscotland.org/resources/pr...
We hope this report will inspire advocacy, investment, and innovation to ensure that all school grounds across Scotland are vibrant, inclusive spaces for play, learning, and community use.
www.playscotland.org/resources/pr...
December 10, 2025 at 11:02 AM
🚨 Report Published: Scottish School Grounds Survey Report 2025
We hope this report will inspire advocacy, investment, and innovation to ensure that all school grounds across Scotland are vibrant, inclusive spaces for play, learning, and community use.
www.playscotland.org/resources/pr...
We hope this report will inspire advocacy, investment, and innovation to ensure that all school grounds across Scotland are vibrant, inclusive spaces for play, learning, and community use.
www.playscotland.org/resources/pr...
"Amid the grief, displacement, and uncertainty that mark the asylum seeker experience, play offered something universal and deeply human: relief. Connection. Joy."
What a wonderful article about the power of play for healing!
time.com/7327163/play...
What a wonderful article about the power of play for healing!
time.com/7327163/play...
Why Playing is Good for You, According to Science
"Play isn’t just a frivolous pastime for children. It’s a powerful, even essential, tool for healing," writes Cas Holman.
time.com
December 8, 2025 at 2:17 PM
"Amid the grief, displacement, and uncertainty that mark the asylum seeker experience, play offered something universal and deeply human: relief. Connection. Joy."
What a wonderful article about the power of play for healing!
time.com/7327163/play...
What a wonderful article about the power of play for healing!
time.com/7327163/play...
"Excellent training, I have attended a lot of play training in the past, but this was one of the best for networking and useful guidance"
Our 2026 training courses are now open for booking!
They can fill up quickly, so please book your space in plenty of time: buytickets.at/playscotland
Our 2026 training courses are now open for booking!
They can fill up quickly, so please book your space in plenty of time: buytickets.at/playscotland
December 3, 2025 at 12:08 PM
"Excellent training, I have attended a lot of play training in the past, but this was one of the best for networking and useful guidance"
Our 2026 training courses are now open for booking!
They can fill up quickly, so please book your space in plenty of time: buytickets.at/playscotland
Our 2026 training courses are now open for booking!
They can fill up quickly, so please book your space in plenty of time: buytickets.at/playscotland
We're putting the finishing touches to our last newsletter of the year!
Sign up as a member to receive the latest play news straight into your inbox, along with a great discount on training courses.
playscotland.org/about/member...
Sign up as a member to receive the latest play news straight into your inbox, along with a great discount on training courses.
playscotland.org/about/member...
December 2, 2025 at 5:46 PM
We're putting the finishing touches to our last newsletter of the year!
Sign up as a member to receive the latest play news straight into your inbox, along with a great discount on training courses.
playscotland.org/about/member...
Sign up as a member to receive the latest play news straight into your inbox, along with a great discount on training courses.
playscotland.org/about/member...
Scotland's Highlights 2025: Scotland's Play Vision Statement and Action Plan was launched!
A world-leading plan to support every child's right to play in Scotland through three domains of parents, practitioners, and place.
#ScotlandHighlights2025
A world-leading plan to support every child's right to play in Scotland through three domains of parents, practitioners, and place.
#ScotlandHighlights2025
November 28, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Scotland's Highlights 2025: Scotland's Play Vision Statement and Action Plan was launched!
A world-leading plan to support every child's right to play in Scotland through three domains of parents, practitioners, and place.
#ScotlandHighlights2025
A world-leading plan to support every child's right to play in Scotland through three domains of parents, practitioners, and place.
#ScotlandHighlights2025
“the child’s right to health and development cannot be satisfied without also the fulfilment of their right to play.”
Whitaker and Tonkin (2024) Play and Health in Childhood
Whitaker and Tonkin (2024) Play and Health in Childhood
November 27, 2025 at 1:22 PM
“the child’s right to health and development cannot be satisfied without also the fulfilment of their right to play.”
Whitaker and Tonkin (2024) Play and Health in Childhood
Whitaker and Tonkin (2024) Play and Health in Childhood
🎄✨ One month to go until Christmas! ✨🎄
Before you start wrapping (and unwrapping!) this festive season, take a moment to think about the perhaps best toy of all... the cardboard box! 📦
👉 www.playscotland.org/the-best-toy...
Before you start wrapping (and unwrapping!) this festive season, take a moment to think about the perhaps best toy of all... the cardboard box! 📦
👉 www.playscotland.org/the-best-toy...
November 25, 2025 at 1:42 PM
🎄✨ One month to go until Christmas! ✨🎄
Before you start wrapping (and unwrapping!) this festive season, take a moment to think about the perhaps best toy of all... the cardboard box! 📦
👉 www.playscotland.org/the-best-toy...
Before you start wrapping (and unwrapping!) this festive season, take a moment to think about the perhaps best toy of all... the cardboard box! 📦
👉 www.playscotland.org/the-best-toy...