A government petition launched today to coincide with National Play Day, calls on the UK government to make laws that protect children’s right to play. This right is recognised by the United Nations but not currently enshrined in UK law.
The petition, initiated by the charity London Play and backed by children across the capital and beyond, follows a powerful show of youth voice on the International Day of Play (11 June), when hundreds of children marched outside Parliament chanting “Make Laws for Play!”
“Children are calling time on play being sidelined,” said Fiona Sutherland, Director of London Play. “They know play is not just fun — it’s essential for growing up healthy, happy and resilient. Yet every year we see more playgrounds closed, shorter school playtimes, and shrinking play budgets. This petition gives children a platform to demand the protection they deserve.”
Despite the UK being a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which recognises play as a fundamental right under Article 31, there is no legal duty on public bodies in the UK to ensure children can access time, space and freedom to play.
Over 400 playgrounds across England closed in the decade to 2022 — including 12 staffed adventure playgrounds in London alone.
Sutherland added: “Children understand what’s happening. They’re losing places to play and they’re feeling the effects — more stress, more loneliness, less joy. They don’t want empty promises; they want real change, and they’re asking the government to step up.”
The petition comes on the heels of the Play Commission’s report, published the same day as the children’s march, which recommended introducing a “play sufficiency duty” for councils — a legal requirement to ensure there is enough play provision in every community.
“Children were outside Parliament making their voices heard — and the Play Commission backed them,” said Sutherland. “Now it’s time for the government to listen. We’re urging everyone — especially children — to sign this petition and help turn up the volume.”
The petition has been lodged on the official UK Parliament website and once live, needs 100,000 signatures to trigger a debate in Parliament – or 10,000 to get an official response.