Wednesday 5 August marked Playday, the national day for play. Celebrated across the UK each year, Playday calls on families, community leaders, play providers, childcare settings, and everyone working with children and young people to promote and champion the importance of play. 

Staffordshire Wildlife Trust’s Playday at its headquarters near Rugeley is a popular day out for many – the event has sold out for the past two years. 

Activities included grass sledging, a water slide, and an obstacle course. There was also storytelling, water play in our rain garden, and arts and crafts. Families could create their own beaver dam, learn about pollinators, and also take part in a habitat match activity which was designed to help children understand what wildlife needs to survive.  

Popular pond dipping allows children to discover the creatures which live unseen beneath the water, and there was also bug hunting in the meadow. The outdoor classroom area provided various activities; Nordic slinging (creates a bracelet), swinging in a hammock and a mud kitchen for children to embrace their imagination and cook up some mucky delights!  

People Engagement Manager for Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, Shelley Pattinson says: 

"Welcoming families to Playday is the highlight of our year. Outdoor play is proven to be hugely beneficial to children’s development and physical wellbeing.  

“Regular time in nature boosts brainpower and emotional wellbeing. Getting children to explore and have fun in the great outdoors really helps them grow up happier and healthier, while also building a lasting love for the environment." 

Playday was also supported by Aiming High, a Staffordshire County Council programme which offers free activities for children and young people with SEND in Staffordshire, helping them build confidence and enjoy new experiences. 

“Through Aiming High, we attended the Wild Skills sessions, where Jaxon thrived. He was happy, well-regulated, and actively joined in with the many activities that the amazing staff had set up. He particularly enjoyed the water channeling activity, the Japanese Hapa Zone art activity, the music station, and the rope swing.  

“We are so grateful that he has been able to attend these sessions, as he has thrived in the safe and nurturing environment that Staffordshire Wildlife Trust have created.” 

All upcoming Aiming High sessions can be found here: eequ.org/staffordshireaiminghigh