Proclaimed by the UN General Assembly on 25 March 2024, the International Day of Play is observed every 11 June to champion every child’s right to play, as enshrined in Article 31 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. More than 140 Member States co‑sponsored the resolution, signalling global consensus that play is essential for healthy development, learning and social cohesion. The inaugural celebration in 2024 mobilised governments, civil‑society groups and the private sector to integrate play into policy agendas—from education and health to urban planning—and to create safe, accessible spaces where all children can thrive.