A great evening at the National Play Awards last night, celebrating the achievements and contributions of organisations and individuals across the play sector. The API was pleased to sponsor the Sector Award and support an evening recognising the very best of the sector. Congratulations to all the winners and finalists! #NationalPlayAwards #PlayIndustry @PlayEngland @SAPCA

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

We’re delighted to sponsor the Sector Award at the inaugural National Play Awards 2026. The award recognises work that strengthens the wider conditions for play - evidence of changed policy, funding, children’s involvement, wider influence and more. It’s a great opportunity to recognise the people and organisations helping to build a stronger future for play. @PlayEngland | @SAPCA Find out more here: ow.ly/4N7J50ZSFjI #NationalPlayAwards #PlayIndustry #Play #APImembers #PlaygroundPower

We’re proud sponsors of the Children’s Voice Programme at the National Play Conference 2026. Children and young people won’t simply be attending – they will be contributing and bringing their own experiences and perspectives directly into the Conference. For an industry dedicated to creating places for children to play, it’s vital that their voices are part of the conversation about what the future of play should look like. Find out more here: ow.ly/iLO650ZSzz0 @PlayEngland @SAPCA #NationalPlayConference #ChildrensVoice #PlayIndustry #APImembers #PlaygroundPower

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

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

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 hear @API_ChairUK Dr Amanda Gummer, speaking with @StephenJardine on @BBCRadioScot this morning about the importance of #outdoorplay (from 11.30am) She spoke about how play is how children engage with the world and learn, and while initiatives such as play streets play an important role, public playgrounds provide free-to-all, permanent spaces where children enjoy play every day. It's a timely reminder that playgrounds are the UK's number one location for children's outdoor play away from home - and why they deserve greater recognition and investment. Find out more about our #PlaygroundPower campaign: api-play.org/campaigns/the-p…