London Play

Who we are

We have a vision of a capital city where all children have the space, time and freedom to play.

London Play works to ensure children have the space, time and freedom to play. We want every child in London to have high-quality, free play opportunities near where they live. We’re working to achieve this through campaigning, organising events, supporting play providers and play workers and others whose work or lives include children, and creating opportunities for more and better play across the capital. 

Play is important. It is deemed so vital to children’s health, happiness and development that the right to play is enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

But play in London is under attack:

Space for play is threatened by encroaching development and traffic.

Freedom to play is stifled by distorted perceptions of risk and fear.

Time for play is eaten up by homework, organised activities & screen-based entertainment.

Our culture and values

We work with play providers…

…in the voluntary, community, statutory and private sectors, supporting their efforts to increase play opportunities for children in London’s 33 boroughs. For example, our Play Works and Play Havens projects supporting adventure playgrounds.

We directly create more play opportunities for children…

…through funded projects, working with local play organisations or community bodies wherever possible. For example, our Royal Parks outreach project, Camp Build and our Go Kart events.

We work alongside communities and children…

…to support their own responses to the need for play opportunities. For example, our Play Street projects and work in schools.

We campaign to raise the profile of play…

…with politicians, decision makers, parents, schools and other individuals or organisations who influence children and young people’s lives – through the media, our publications and by contributing to policy-making structures

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

We are committed to being an inclusive organisation and welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds. We particularly encourage applications from groups currently underrepresented on our board, including younger people, people from ethnically diverse groups, and people with disabilities.