National Play Day 2021

National Play Day 2021 will take place from 3rd – 10th July with the aim of promoting play and recreation opportunities for children and young people all over Ireland.

This year’s theme is ‘Playful Communities’ . On Friday 9th June, Offaly Libraries are excited to launch ‘Let's Play in Offaly’ as part of National Play Day! Call into your local library branch and receive FREE toys to play with! These toys are selected to provide both guided and self-directed possibilities for children and young people to play in Offaly.

Free Play packs will be available for collection at Banagher, Birr, Clara, Daingean, Edenderry, Ferbane, Kilcormac and Tullamore branch libraries from Thursday 8th July 2021. Each play pack is full of exciting games or items to play with. There are also some kites and Clayotic modelling clay kits to collect with video instructions so that you can follow along at your own pace. Please check www.offaly.ie/libraries for opening hours and visit your local library to collect your pack.

We are also organising some zoom workshops on Friday 9th July. Contact your local library for booking.  

Children and families are encouraged to have fun playing with the contents. 

Outdoor play has a positive impact on children’s social, emotional, intellectual, and physical wellbeing and is even more important after months of public health restrictions. 

Offaly County Council is proud to support this creative play initiative which is part-funded by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.   

Minister O’ Gorman said about National Play Day:

“We all know that play is how children grow, learn and discover. After a tough year of restrictions caused by Covid, play will help children reconnect with extended family, friends and their communities and recover from the impact of the pandemic. Local Authorities play an important role in enabling children and families access important play facilities”.