Every June 11th, we celebrate the International Day of Play, a date that invites us to reflect on the essential value of play in the lives of children and adolescents. At the Rafa Nadal Foundation, we believe that playing is not a luxury or a waste of time — it is a need and a right.
More than just entertainment
When a child plays, they are not only having fun — they are learning, exploring, communicating, imagining, and building their identity. Through play, children develop key life skills such as creativity, empathy, conflict resolution, teamwork, and the ability to adapt to new situations.
In addition, play:
- 🧠 Stimulates cognitive and emotional development
- 🤸♀️ Improves physical and mental health
- 🗣️ Encourages emotional expression
- 🤝 Strengthens social relationships
- 🌍 Helps children understand the world and their place in it
A universal right still unfulfilled
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child recognizes the right to rest, leisure, play, and recreational activities (Article 31). However, many children around the world — especially those in vulnerable contexts — still face limited access to safe spaces where they can play freely.
In our programs, we promote sport and play as tools for social transformation, because we know that when a child plays, they are building a freer, healthier, and happier future.
To play is to grow
Today, we want to remind everyone that playing is just as important as learning. It is a fundamental part of childhood development that we must protect, promote, and ensure for all children and adolescents, without exception.
At the Rafa Nadal Foundation, we will continue working every day so that play is present in the lives of the children and youth we support — as what it truly is: a source of well-being, a pathway to learning, and a genuine expression of childhood.