The inaugural National Play Awards 2026 take place this evening, celebrating achievements across the play sector. As the trade association for the UK play industry, we are delighted to sponsor the Sector Award, recognising the important contribution of those working to champion play. We wish all the finalists the very best of luck and look forward to celebrating the achievements of the sector. Read more: api-play.org/resource/api-su… @PlayEngland @SAPCA #NationalPlayAwards #PlayIndustry #ItAllStartsWithPlay #APImembers

We’re incredibly proud to be supporting the Children’s Voice programme at this week’s National Play Awards and Conference, helping to ensure that children aren’t simply part of the conversation about play - but are given a genuine opportunity to help shape it. With support from the API, Play England commissioned Children’s Voice Producer Amber Ogunsanya-William to work directly with children, exploring what play means to them. The children have been developing their own messages and building friendships along the way. Now their voices are ready to take centre stage at the National Play Awards and Conference. We can’t wait to see their ideas brought to life and shared with the wider play sector. A huge thank you to Amber, @PlayEngland and @SAPCA for making children’s voices such an important part of this year’s event. Read more about the children’s journey so far: playengland.org.uk/newsblog/… #ChildrensVoice #NationalPlayConference #NationalPlayAwards #Play #OutdoorPlay #Playgrounds #PlaygroundPower #PlayIndustry #ItAllStartsWithPlay #APImembers

Congratulations to the finalists in the inaugural National Play Awards! As sponsor of the Sector Award, the API is delighted to see the finalists announced in this category. The Awards will celebrate some of the fantastic work happening across the play sector when the winners are announced on 8 October. See all the finalists: playengland.org.uk/newsblog/… #NationalPlayAwards #PlayIndustry #ItAllStartsWithPlay

We’re proud to be supporting the National Play Conference and Awards 2026, sponsoring both the Children’s Voice Programme and the Sector Award. It’s an important opportunity for the play industry to be part of the wider conversation about the future of play - while ensuring children’s voices are heard and recognising those working to strengthen the sector. Read more about API’s involvement: api-play.org/resource/api-su… @PlayEngland @SAPCA #NationalPlayConference #PlayIndustry #APIMembers #PlaygroundPower

We’re looking forward to supporting the National Play Conference 2026 on 9 October - more details coming soon! @PlayEngland @SAPCA #NationalPlayConference #Play #PlayIndustry #APImembers

Make Space for Girls celebrated their 5th birthday this week.@API_ChairUK @DrAmandaGummer gave the keynote, highlighting the expertise within our membership and the role the play industry can play in creating public spaces that work better for teenage girls. Make Space for Girls has achieved an astonishing amount in five years, but there is still work to do to ensure teenage girls feel welcome and included in our parks and public play spaces. Their latest campaign includes a powerful new video made by teenage girls themselves, as well as some excellent resources for the sector. Find out more here: makespaceforgirls.co.uk/our-… #MakeSpaceForGirls #OurParksToo

Every child deserves the chance to experience the Power of Playgrounds. Imagine if every child had access to a good-quality playground - a free place to #play, connect, take risks, build resilience & have fun. Our research shows that young children who use playgrounds more often have better wellbeing and fewer emotional difficulties. Find out more: api-play.org/resource/the-po… #PlaygroundPower

The power of playgrounds is amazing! Joy, challenge, confidence, resilience. Playgrounds give children the freedom to test themselves, connect with others and have fun. Our Playground Power research shows that young children who use playgrounds more frequently have better wellbeing, fewer emotional difficulties and greater happiness. That’s the power of #play and why these vital community spaces deserve recognition and investment. Find out more about the #PlaygroundPower campaign here: api-play.org/campaigns/the-p…

New research from the @IPPR shows that young people in England are becoming dramatically more isolated, with one in 20 now reporting that they have no close friends at all. Listen to @API_ChairUK @DrAmandaGummer on @bbc5live this morning discussing the vital role of #community #play spaces in helping to ease the disconnection that so many children & young people are experiencing: bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0030y… (from 1:26:35) #PlaygroundPower @rachelburden @rickedwards1

Can playgrounds help tackle loneliness? In the second of her blog series, @API_ChairUK @DrAmandaGummer explores the growing loneliness crisis and why the spaces where children can meet, play and connect matter. Drawing on insights from architect and author #DinahBornat, Amanda makes the case for playgrounds as vital social infrastructure - another powerful reason to invest in them. Read the blog: api-play.org/resource/the-lo… #PlaygroundPower #Playgrounds

Book now for the National Play Conference & Awards 2026! Taking place at the University of Warwick on 08-09 October, this inaugural event from @PlayEngland and @SAPCA will bring together manufacturers, designers, contractors, local authorities, policymakers and play professionals from across the sector. The conference programme will cover #play and public health, planning, funding and physical activity, with @TomHayesBmouth and @mhclg among the speakers announced so far. Find out more & book: playengland.org.uk/conferenc… #NationalPlayConference

Is the proposed social media ban for children a ‘ban without a plan’? Social media is often where young people connect. If we take that away, we need to think seriously about where those connections can happen in real life. Public playgrounds are already the No.1 location for children’s play outside the home - free, local spaces where children & young people can meet, play and connect face-to-face. Investment in free-to-all community playgrounds should be a pillar of any plan. Playgrounds have always mattered, but perhaps never more than now: api-play.org/campaigns/the-p… #PlaygroundPower #SocialMediaBan #Playgrounds #OutdoorPlay #Community

Important new research on children’s outdoor play was in the spotlight on @LBC's @NickFerrariLBC this morning, with @API_ChairUK Dr Amanda Gummer discussing the findings and what they mean for children. The research, led by @DrHelenDodd – who also led the research behind our #PlaygroundPower campaign – provides yet more evidence of the vital role outdoor play has in children’s health and wellbeing. Amanda highlighted the importance of accessible community playgrounds. We need to invest in them and recognise them for what they are - public health infrastructure. Huge congratulations to Helen Dodd on the launch of the new Outdoor Play Research Centre at the @UniofExeter - an exciting development for children’s play research. news.exeter.ac.uk/faculty-of… #OutdoorPlayResearchCentre #PlaygroundPower

In a country where some children spend 139 hours a year in playgrounds while others get fewer than 10, we’re not just talking about access to play. We’re talking about very different childhoods. Playgrounds are essential infrastructure for childhood. They give children space to choose, take risks, make mistakes and try again. That’s not simply recreation. It’s part of growing up. api-play.org/campaigns/the-p… #PlaygroundPower #EqualPlay

Great playgrounds build healthier childhoods. Our new research adds to the case for protecting and investing in local #play spaces, with more time spent playing in #playgrounds linked to happier children. Imagine if every child had easy access to a great one. Read more: api-play.org/campaigns/the-p… #PlaygroundPower #APImembers #mentalhealth #outdoorplay #ItAllStartsWithPlay

Great to see @EYAlliance sharing our new #PlaygroundPower campaign. Our latest research highlights the link between spending more time in playgrounds and better #mentalhealth in young children, reinforcing why high-quality public playgrounds matter. Read their coverage here: eyalliance.org.uk/news-event…

Happy #PlayDay! This #PlayDay2026, let's celebrate the power of playgrounds. Our new #PlaygroundPower campaign highlights the vital role that free-to-use public playgrounds play in children's lives. New research by @DrHelenDodd shows that children who spend more time in playgrounds have better wellbeing and fewer emotional difficulties. Hear from our Chair @DrAmandaGummer and explore the campaign: api-play.org/campaigns/the-p…

Most children use playgrounds regularly. But not all. Around 1 in 20 children spend fewer than 10 hours a year in a playground. We need to understand why and make sure every child has the opportunity to benefit from great local play spaces. Read the new research here: api-play.org/resource/the-po… #PlaygroundPower #ItAllStartsWithPlay