A charity delivered a fun and activities day to children under the banner of play being an essential part of recovery after a rough two years of lockdowns.

The event – organised by Oxfordshire Play Association (OPA) – was held in the rear playground of Gagle Brook Primary School last Tuesday.

Parents, carers and kids turned up to enjoy junk modelling, drumming, science displays, riding on toddler vehicles, fabric upcycling, giant bubbles, zorbing and face painting.

The day was organised to highlight that play is for everyone, and that it is the right of every child and young person.

An extract from OPA’s report on the event said: “Playday encourages families, communities, and organisations large and small, to consider how they can build better opportunities for all children to play.

“Following the challenges children and young people have faced over the past two years due to the Covid-19 pandemic, play is more important than ever.

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“Play is essential for children and young people’s physical and mental health.

“It allows children and young people to make friends, develop relationships and have fun together.”

OPA’s vision is to improve lives through play, with the mission to champion and to support the rights of all children and young people to have access to high quality, inclusive play opportunities to improve their physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing.

 

Read more from this author

This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1

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