International Day of Play: Safe play areas a ‘lifeline’ for children as conflict displaces a record number of children

LONDON/GENEVA (June 11, 2026) – Access to safe play areas for children amid humanitarian emergencies must be protected, especially now that a record number of children are being forced from their homes by conflict or violence.^[1]

The call comes as the world marks the third International Day of Play with this year’s theme being: Protect play - protect childhood. It aims to reinforce the need to protect children’s freedom to play even as safe spaces for children to play are shrinking globally.

Data from the Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) for 2025 showed that conflict overtook disaster as the major driver of global displacement for the first time last year.

Save the Children estimates that children made up about 13 million internal displacements due to conflict and violence in 2025 – up 46% from about 9 million in 2024.^[2]  

During a conflict or disaster play becomes even more powerful as children’s routines are often disrupted and their safe spaces to play are destroyed and toys often become scarce or completely unavailable.

The Day of Play on 11 June was added to the list of global annual observances recognized by the United Nations, following a successful campaign by Save the Children, the LEGO Group and the LEGO Foundation and other partners, to recognize play as a critical developmental activity for children.

Wael*, 11, knows firsthand the importance of play. Wael was displaced with his family from Southern Lebanon to a collective shelter for displaced people and communities in Lebanon during the latest escalations earlier this year. <

Wael said he missed his home, and the toys he and his brother had to leave behind when they were forced to flee.

“We couldn’t bring my youngest brother’s toy truck as it was very big. He used to enjoy playing with it.”

At the shelter, he was able to play with other toys provided for the children.

Save the Children supports children in Lebanon with recreational activities, drawings and a safe space to play. This gives children a moment to be themselves at the shelter.

In Gaza, Save the Children, supported by the LEGO Foundation, integrated play-based activities into emergency early childhood programs to help children living through crisis.

Children eagerly anticipated their sessions, which caregivers described as transformative.

In a context where normal life has largely collapsed, this program showed how play is a critical lifeline for children’s recovery, wellbeing, and development.

In Sudan, after the attacks on El Fasher which culminated in October 2025, Save the Children established 45 temporary learning spaces to meet the needs of children displaced from their homes.

The learning spaces offer safe environments for children to recover and learn. For example, during the morning children learn through play while the afternoon hours are focused on providing mental health and psychosocial support and recreational activities that use play to strengthen children’s emotional regulation and resilience.  

Marcus*, a child who stayed at one of the settlements, said:

"We play games, draw, sing, and learn together. Playing helps me feel calm and happy, and I don’t feel so scared or worried anymore

Playing helps me feel strong inside and ready to learn.”

For many children, spaces like this are not only about activities or learning — they are a rare opportunity to regain a sense of normal childhood despite the ongoing stress and insecurity that they must endure.

Save the Children is calling on partners, donors and policymakers to help scale up services that promote play and to ensure that every child has access to safe and inclusive play areas, including during conflicts.

Marian Hodgkin, Global Head of Education, Save the Children, said:

“Play is powerful. It is how children process emotions, how they overcome fears and how build a sense of self. In a conflict setting, a safe place to play allows a child to still hold on to part of their childhood. In humanitarian contexts, the chance to play can be a lifeline that helps children to stay positive.

But opportunities for play are shrinking and children, both in war time and in peace, are not getting enough chances to play with caregivers. This can lead to longer term issues including insecurity or behavioral issues that persist into adulthood.

All of us must protect and promote children’s right to play, everywhere and every day. We must protect their right to childhood.”

For more information regarding Save the Children’s approach to play: https://resourcecentre.savethechildren.net/document/lets-play-save-the-children-and-play-guidance-note

To learn more about International Day of Play please visit: InternationalDayofPlay.org

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Notes:

[1] Number of Children Displaced by Conflict Reached Record High in 2025 | Save the Children

[2] ...