What a huge success National Playday 2009 was. The event was part of a national campaign supported by Play England and the Government to celebrate children's right to play which was held on 5th August 2009 at Saltwell Park. This year's theme was 'Make Time' and children and families from all over the North East certainly made time to come and play this year, as the event attracted several thousand and feedback received from them so far was that they all really enjoyed it. Check out the pictures!!!!!!
Play is an essential part of every child’s life and is vital to their development. Through play, children learn about themselves and the world around them. Play helps children develop confidence, self-esteem and creativity. Every child and young person deserves the chance to play and good play opportunities are everyone’s responsibility.
Making time to support children’s right to play is something everyone can get involved in and the Playday 2009 campaign recognised that in our busy lives, its easy to prioritise other things over play and to think that play is something children just do. Playday 2009 aimed to highlight that, as adults, we all need to make time and space to play freely.
Several thousand children and families attended this year’s event making it our most successful yet. Children aged from toddlers to teenagers anf from all backgrounds including children with disabilities, challenging behaviour and vulnerable children. Children attended from Gateshead’s Council’s summer playschemes’ Active Kidz, Children’s Centres, out of school clubs, holiday clubs, nurseries, child minders and families came along with their own children.
Members of the team from Metro Radio and their charity Cash for Kids made time to come and play and did a great job playing music, entertaining crowds and collecting for their charity.
All activities were offered for free and included:
Croquet
Basket ball hoop
Football activities
Circus skills
Splat walls
Karate
Falconry
Archery
Rugby / football tennis
Basketball / football competitions
Games and relays
Nightline
Obstable course
Water slides
Den building
Space hopper football
Space hopper relays
Junk modelling
Messy play
Face painting
Bikes
Rugby
Orienteering
Sensory tents
Sensory pools
Feely boxes
Bear hunt
Playdough and sand play
Music and movement
Masks / wands / badge making
baby sensory area
Arts and crafts
'People who help us' obstacle course
Climbing wall
Inflateable obstable course
Chinese dance and costume making
Street cheer
Gymnastics
Story time
Ryhme time
The whole event really was a joint effort between various services both within the council and externally and we would like to say a massive thank you to the following organisations for their support:
Early Years and Childcare Service
Extended Services
Inner West Children’s Centres
The Play Service
Adult Learning and Skills
Sports Development
Central Area Children’s Centres
Outer West Area Children’s Centres
East Area Children’s Centres
South Area Children’s Centres
Libraries
Youth and Community Learning
Little Kickers
Mighty Mercs
Bell and Bullock Circus Theatre
GKR Karate
Beamish Wilds
Digital Voice Communities
Gateshead Wheelers
Gateshead Thunder
Crèche Mobile
Newcastle Community Football Foundation
Plumleaf Community Arts
The Baltic Centre for Contemporary Arts
Way Out in Gateshead
React Dance
Snap Dragon
SMART
Metro Radio
Mothercare
St John's Ambulance
Saltwell Park
We would also like to say a huge thanks to all of the volunteers who gave up their time and acted as stewards helping to man the event on the day.
Playday is an annual event and we will again be arranging a similar event next year, hopefully even bigger and better, and we would really like it for you to get involved. We don’t know the date yet but it is usually the same first week in August on a Wednesday, so I’m guessing it will be the 4th. If you would like to make any suggestions for the event, e.g. activities, venue etc then please use the comments facility on the homepage.
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK!!!!
If you attended Playday then please let us know your comments on the event by leaving your thoughts at the bottom of this page or on the comments facility on the home page.
Playday 2009 Photo Gallery
