PRESS RELEASE, FOR RELEASE ON 15 APRIL 2026
This year’s national Play Day will take place on Saturday, 25 April. This year, the theme of this established celebration of play is “everyday relaxation through play.” The day serves as a reminder that in the midst of a performance-driven life, it is essential to take a step back, immerse ourselves play and enjoy a much-needed break from everyday routines that also improves well-being.
The Play Day Network invites people of all ages to get into the spirit of play.
“Everyday life can easily become performance-driven and filled with worries, with people rushing from one moment to the next. Play provides a small break from routines and a chance to enjoy being silly together. Play strengthens our faith in the future,” says Karolina Lamroth, Play Day Programme Coordinator at the Mannerheim League for Child Welfare.
Play Day will be celebrated with dozens of free Play Day events across Finland, both on Play Day itself and during the preceding Play Week. Events will be organised by the local associations of the Mannerheim League for Child Welfare (MLL), libraries, museums and parishes, among others.
Play in itself is important
The aim of Play Day is to remind people of the joy and well-being that play brings. Play is important for the development of a child. It’s also a way to relax and recover from a busy everyday life. A child’s right to play is also enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Play in itself is important. It’s about having fun together without pressure. It’s good for both children and adults. Playing isn’t about accomplishing anything, nor does it have to be useful.
“I hope adults will have the courage to join children and young people in lighthearted fun, because play and shared moments are both relaxing and refreshing,” says Lamroth.
Play Day across Finland
Dozens of Play Day events will be organised across Finland. At these free events, participants will have a chance to play outdoors, enjoy children’s theatre, look for stuffed animals at checkpoints, and enjoy yard games and some delicious architecture.
“Play promotes a sense of community, which in turn improves social resilience and strengthens society as a whole,” says Jennie Stolzmann-Frankenhaeuser of Folkhälsan. The organisation is one of the members of the Play Day Network.
All Play Day events can be found at
https://leikkipaiva.fi/leikkipaiva/leikkipaiva-tapahtumat/
Play Day is organised by the Play Day Network, coordinated by the Mannerheim League for Child Welfare. The network consists of over 60 organisations that cherish play. Play Day invites both adults and children to spend unhurried time together, playing every day. The Play Day programme promotes play in various ways and encourages people to get into the spirit of play. For more information and inspiration: leikkipäivä.fi, leikkipankki.fi
For more information:
Karolina Lamroth, Play Day Programme Coordinator, Mannerheim League for Child Welfare, karolina.lamroth@mll.fi, tel. 050 4635 615
Minna Närhilä, Communications Specialist, Mannerheim League for Child Welfare, minna.narhila@mll.fi, tel. 050 472 8585
