Due to current government guidance on public gatherings and physical distancing Dublin City Council are unable to host National Playday 2021 as a live event, however, we will celebrate National Play Week 3^rd to 10^th July. This year in particular we acknowledge the challenges children and young people have faced regarding time, space and freedom to play and be with friends in their local streets and neighbourhoods.

Dublin City Council, and local authorities throughout Ireland are supported by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY); to facilitate and support initiatives that really place children’s play at the heart of the summer. This year Dublin City Council will focus on everyday play to support and encourage communities and families to celebrate UNCRC Article 31; the child’s right to play by supporting a number of initiatives and resources for children, families and communities to enjoy a “Summer of Play in Dublin”!

In Dublin City we are working with partner organisations to ensure children get outdoors to play with friends; explore and have fun. To kick-start the summer of play DCC are delighted to be partnering with Dublin City South and Dublin City North Children and Young People’s Services Committees (CYPSC) to promote #LetsplayDublin and to provide Play Packs to selected target child support organisations and local neighbourhood summer projects across the city. Now more than ever children need time, space and support to play!

So watch out for this and more fun and exciting initiatives to support children and young to enjoy a “Summer of Play in Dublin”!

We are looking forward to hearing about the creative ways you plan to celebrate a ‘Summer of Play’ and National Playday in your community.

For the latest updates on this campaign follow DCC Play Development on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and share your plans with us using the hashtag #DublinPlay and #LetsplayDublin

Share your images or short videos of the creative and fun ways you celebrated Playday 2021 and your ‘Playful Summer in Dublin’ by using the

https://www.facebook.com/Let-Children-Play-136811793046110/ or emailing to [email protected] –

‘Summer of Play’ Online Resources –

• Come out and Play resource booklet /DCC
• Your Child learning through different Types of Play /HSE
• One Piece of Chalk 8 Active Games, thank you Active for Life: https://activeforlife.com/8-active-chalk-games/
• Play Every Day! Virtual Play space resource booklet DCC
• Let’s Play Ireland – DCEDIY national Website