If you care about play, we need your help to get the #PlanForPlay petition to 100,000 signatures! Here’s how: 1. Sign the petition: petition.parliament.uk/petitions/76... 2. Share this post. 3. Tag a friend in the comments. Together, we can make sure every child has amazing play every day!

Pinning down an exact definition of play is notoriously tricky. But, no matter how you define it, we know that real play happens when children get to lead the way. What’s your favourite way to describe play? Share your thoughts in the comments 💚

The #PlanForPlay petition has just reached 3,000 signatures! But, if we're to be in with a chance of getting this debated in Parliament, we need lots more! Please consider signing if you haven't already. And please share far and wide. Thank you 🤩 petition.parliament.uk/petitions/76...

Hands up if you believe every child should have amazing play, every day! 🙌

More than 2,000 people have now added their names to the #PlanForPlay petition. Will you join them? We’re calling on the Government to make planning for play a statutory requirement for every primary school. Sign and share: petition.parliament.uk/petitions/76...

"It [OPAL] has been the single best school improvement initiative we have implemented in recent years." Tom Head, Executive Headteacher If you would like to see an OPAL playtime in action, we still have a few open days taking place before the end of term. More: www.eventbrite.com/cc/curious-a...

This #InternationalDayOfPlay, we’re calling on the Government to make planning for play a statutory requirement for every primary school. Will you join us? Sign the #PlanForPlay petition: petition.parliament.uk/petitions/76...

We hope you had a wonderful half term! What have our amazing #OPALSchools got planned for playtimes for the rest of the school year? Please share your highlights in the comments 💚

Happy #OutdoorClassroomDay! We believe that outdoor play and learning are critical to a happy and healthy childhood. That’s why our vision is that every child in every school has an amazing hour of high-quality play every day – with no exceptions. Find out more: outdoorplayandlearning.org.uk

Children in OPAL schools self-report improved mental health. This #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek, find out more about the benefits of improving playtimes: outdoorplayandlearning.org.uk/evidence/ben...

Happy 100th birthday Sir David Attenborough! When children play outdoors, they learn about and grow to care about the natural world. Nature play can also reduce stress, increase physical activity, and improve wellbeing. Most of all, it’s fun! What have you seen when children play outdoors in nature?

The amazing Project Play team is inviting primary school teachers to Calais to learn about the experience of children on the border and to help them raise awareness and funds. Find out more and apply: www.project-play.org/teachers

At OPAL, we have a really simple mission — for every child to have an outstanding playtime every day, with no exceptions! Are you interested in unlocking the power of playtime? Get started today: outdoorplayandlearning.org.uk/get-started/

Wishing our amazing community of #OPALSchools a fantastic Easter break. Thank you to everyone that has shared their OPAL playtimes this term and brought so much joy to our social feeds!

Interesting report from the University of Winchester and Energise Me looking at the impact of active uniforms at St Michael’s CE Junior School in Aldershot. www.energiseme.org/news/could-a... #ActiveUniforms #ActivePlay #ActiveUniformAlliance

We all know that there are lots of benefits to children from having lots of great play, but did you know there are many benefits for schools too? Here are 10 of them — we would love to hear which ones you have experienced in your school.

We’re passionate about giving children more opportunities to be active, which is why we’re excited to be exhibiting at Youth Sport Trust's 2026 conference: Happy, healthy and thriving - a new era through PE, sport and play! If you’re coming along on 4 March, pop by and say hello!

"Physical activity is often called the 'miracle cure' by medical experts - and for excellent reason." Great blog from Simon Hayes and Ali Oliver, @sportengland.bsky.social and Youth Sport Trust. www.sportengland.org/blogs/lets-m... #ActiveUniformAlliance #MadeToMove

Did you know that our wonderful team of mentors run open days in OPAL schools up and down the country? If you’re thinking of starting the OPAL Primary Programme, here are three reasons you should come along to one. Find an open day near you, here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/curious-a...

There are clearly lots of benefits to children from having lots of great play, but the good news is that there are many benefits for schools too. Are you ready to make playtime a key part of the school day? Get started here: outdoorplayandlearning.org.uk/get-started/

Happy #NewYear from all of us at OPAL! The year may be new but our mission remains the same — for every child in every school to have an amazing hour of high-quality play every day. If your school wants to improve playtimes in 2026, get started here: outdoorplayandlearning.org.uk/get-started/

If you're looking for play inspiration for the school holidays, @playscotland.bsky.social has plenty of ideas to get you started! We would love to hear which ones you try — please share in the comments. www.playscotland.org/parents-fami...

Wishing our community of #OPALSchools a wonderful festive break. We look forward to working with you in 2026 to make sure every child has amazing play, every day!

Our vision is that every child in every school has an amazing hour of high-quality play every day – with no exceptions. As we look back on another year, here are three ways we have worked towards achieving it in 2025.

Calling headteachers in schools across England! Researchers need your voice in an international study on school uniform policies. Your input will help shape more active, inclusive, and equitable school environments—not just in England, but globally. More: www.tinyurl.com/4bfbf3bu

#OPALSchools see dramatic improvements in behaviour, staff wellbeing, attendance, and much more. If you want to see an OPAL playtime in action, why not come along to one of our open days? You can browse events and book your free place, here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/cc/curious-a...

Wishing our community of #OPALSchools a happy half term 🥳

Are you a headteacher interested in improving playtimes and based around Blackpool? Join us at Westcliff Primary Academy on 10 October to see an OPAL playtime in action and to hear more about the OPAL Primary Programme. Book your free place here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/new-intere...

Want to join the OPAL team and be part of the mission to make amazing play part of every child's day? We're looking for a new mentor to work in the West of England. For more details, please email rachel@opalcic.org. Deadline is 25 August 2025 at 5pm. Please share 🙏

Today is #Playday2025 – the annual celebration of children's right to play – and this year's theme is #SpacesForPlay! We are proud to support this important movement. And, through our work with schools, we are committed to making sure every child has amazing play every day.