Publicity events

Organising a play event – on Playday and at other times of year – is a great way to promote your project. It’s also a chance to raise the profile of play, locally and nationally.

Holding an event that allows children to play freely helps people understand and experience the value of play for children, and demonstrates the benefits of play to everyone. This includes disabled adults as well as children participating at your event. 

It will raise awareness among local people and help you bring local organisations and groups together as well as network with key decision-makers such as local councillors and MPs.

Think about how you will interest the media in your event. A play event is the sort of good news story that may be of interest to the local media – newspapers, magazines, television and radio – and provides a focus for organising promotional materials and getting the message across about your project.

You will also want to invite other people and groups in the community and people who could be influential in supporting your project or campaign.

Playday

Playday is the annual celebration of children’s right to play.

On the first Wednesday in August thousands of children, young people and communities get out and play at hundreds of events throughout the UK. This has been hugely successful in attracting media coverage for play and showcasing the work of local groups.

Visit the Playday website for ideas and resources in planning a play event. This includes event ideas, planning and how to publicise your event, getting the details right, working in partnership, as well as a forum for sharing ideas with others and information about events in your region.

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