PlayDays Canada is about the hosting of a special event that provides unique and playful opportunities for children. This type of child and family friendly event takes place in many communities, in all seasons, both indoors and out. You’ll find Play Days both here and around the world – in the United Kingdom, Germany, the United States, Thailand, South America, and Hong Kong. In Canada, Play Days occur in early childhood settings, during summer playground programs, in schools or as part of large community based celebrations such as Family Day or Canada Day.
For three years, beginning in 2002, the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA) and International Play Association Canada (IPA Canada) teamed up with a sponsor to host a nationwide PlayDay initiative. That partnership supported a significant number of events in both large and small communities across the country.
PlayDays Canada aims to build on that success. Toward this end, a PlayDays Manual has been created. This resource provides a guide for thinking about and providing a Canada Plays event that will support the emergence of play in children and all of the benefits that accrue from play. The guide outlines the following key topics:
• play and the importance of play in children’s lives;
• core concepts and components of a PlayDays Canada event;
• considerations for planning a PlayDays Canada event;
• eight Great Places for Play.
You can download the entire manual in PDF format by following the link to the left. To attend an online workshop on how to implement the guide or to ask us a question, click on "Register".
Whether you are running a PlayDay for the first time or are improving your current PlayDay, we wish you all the best as you support the development of healthy, active and creative Canadian children.
The next workshop date will be announced here.
