About Global School Play Day

During Global School Play Day, participants are encouraged to allow students ample time for free play without the use of screens, structured games, or adult direction. The idea is to let children explore their creativity, problem-solving skills, and social interactions in an unstructured and spontaneous environment.

Global School Play Day began in 2015 by Scott and Tim Bedley, Eric Saibel, Oliver Schinkten, Misty Higgins, and Bethany Chaffin.

This group of educators were inspired by their observations of the diminishing opportunities for unstructured play in schools and the increasing focus on standardized testing and academic pressures.

They believed that play was a crucial aspect of a child's social, emotional, and cognitive development. They wanted to create a movement that would bring attention to the value of play in learning and foster a global conversation about the role of play in education.

The inaugural Global School Play Day took place on February 4, 2015, and involved over 65,000 students from around the world. Over the years, the event has gained momentum, with an increasing number of schools and educators participating each year.

The movement has gained support from educators, parents, and organizations globally, and it continues to grow as more schools recognize the importance of balancing academic rigor with the benefits of play in a child's overall development.