Through five years of events and collaboration, ground-breaking research and thought leadership, practical tools and global competitions for urban practitioners and cities, the Real Play Coalition has inspired and connected a movement of people and organisations that provide millions of children with more time and space for play. Read some of the highlights of five years of play.

The winners of the 2022 Real Play City Challenge were revealed today by the Real Play Coalition, ahead of World Children’s Day on Sunday (20 November). Run with PlacemakingX, a global network of advocates who accelerate placemaking as a way to create healthy and inclusive communities.

When the Real Play Coalition launched a call to action to help cities overcome challenges faced by communities, many across the world stepped up to answer that call. The calibre of entrants this year has been impressive to say the least, as evidenced by comments from the challenge’s esteemed panel of judges.

Climate change is a looming global crisis and public play spaces need to be intentionally designed to become climate resilient. In the Real Play City Challenge Category- Places where play supports climate challenge, cities and urban practitioners have been shortlisted for contributing to climate change mitigating efforts in their cities and communities.

We’re delighted to announce the cities and urban practitioners shortlisted for the category- places where play unites us all. These entrants have been helping to create playful placemaking initiatives in areas that have been struggling to build inclusive play spaces.

From helping marginalized young ladies heal from trauma to creating play spaces for disabled children, the shortlisted playmakers in the category—places where play heals people, are making a positive difference in the lives of children and their communities at large.

The Real Play Coalition is delighted to announce the 26 shortlisted finalists for the Real Play City Challenge 2022. Our expert jury selected the shortlist from 94 entries, spanning cities and community organisations, creating the time, space and opportunities for play across four continents.

The Real Play Coalition is delighted to announce the judges for the Real Play City Challenge. Each member in the panel brings with them expert knowledge with a unique perspective, and insights related to play and urban development. They represent different disciplines including urban planning and design, play-research, public policy and community development.

On the 29th of June, 2022, the Real Play Coalition (RPC) announced the launch of the 2022 Real Play City Challenge, an international competition run with PlacemakingX that celebrates and awards inspiring uses of play to tackle the major challenges the world is facing. Submissions are now invited and can be made until 4 September 2022.

Play is the rocketful for children’s development and growth, but more and more children are missing out on this crucial aspect of childhood. The result? Many children are losing the opportunity to develop key life skills that can help them succeed in school and beyond. In this article, we explore the implications of the 'play gap' on the development of children.

Children are naturally curious, but amid the rush of daily life, it’s easy to forget about play. The Real Play coaltion believes all children – regardless of their learning abilities and challenges – should be able to take part in authentic, real play. In this thought piece for the World Urban Forum, we explain the value of play as children navigate the world and find inspiration, and why it’s vital for the growth and wellbeing of children.