To celebrate National Play Day, Edinburgh Pentlands MSP, Gordon Macdonald, joined locals at Clovenstone Community Centre, to mark the importance of children’s right to play, with everything from ‘loose parts play’ and street arts to water play and a messy baby paint zone.
National Play Day involved thousands of children and their families out and about, playing at hundreds of community events across the country. From local community events to national events organised in parks and open spaces, Playday takes many different shapes to allow everyone to take part. As well as the events, organised by Play Scotland, National Play Day is a campaign that underlines the importance of play in children’s lives.
Gordon joined Clovenstone Community Centre’s Play Day (today) which brought local organisations together – including loose parts play provided by the City of Edinburgh Council, a pop up kitchen with Tasting Change, drumming with Dads rock, sensory baby zone with Starcatchers, Street Arts, natural play with edible estates and Bookbug with Wester Hailes Library. North Edinburgh Arts also participated, holding a Picnic and Play
event.
Gordon said: “We all have great childhood memories of playing with friends, a lot of the memories being outdoors. Playing is something you are born into, it’s how you learn and express your creativity. The benefits to the health and wellbeing of children are crystal clear – when you see the smiles and hear the laughter of children playing together.
“National Play Days, like the one I went to at Clovenstone Community Centre, gives children and families a chance to get out and play safely in streets and local neighbourhoods – getting to know new people in your area and strengthening the community.”
