Free LEGO resource launched for children aged 5+ to promote benefits of play

Children aged five and above are now able to benefit from a free LEGO brick play resource, which promotes creativity and highlights the benefits of play.

With research revealing that 32 per cent of children spend less than three hours each week playing, the free downloadable activity for parents and health, care and educational professionals encourages individuals to develop important skills including communication, collaboration and creativity while having fun.

Everyone who downloads the activity will be automatically entered into a prize draw for the chance to win a LEGO voucher.

Play Included, which is supported by the LEGO Foundation, helps children worldwide develop their social, emotional, cognitive, creative and physical skills through evidence-based collaborative LEGO brick play. It developed the Brick-by-Brick programme methodology, a child-led approach with offers children positive social experiences, in conjunction with neurodivergent and learning through play specialists, which is used globally by education, health and care professionals.

The first ever International Day of Play took place yesterday (11 June). Initiated by the LEGO Group and the LEGO Foundation, it aims to raise awareness of play’s cognitive, physical and social benefits. By encouraging adults and decision-makers to protect children’s right to play, provide safe spaces for them to play and support children to develop their social skills through playful experiences, International Day of Play celebrates the power of play.

Speaking on the importance of International Day of Play, Dr Gina Gómez de la Cuesta, clinical psychologist, founder and chief product officer of Play Included, said: “We are huge proponents of play and how it supports children’s mental and social wellbeing, which is why we are excited to support the first ever International Day of Play.

“With one in three children and young people saying they don’t have the time to play, we want to encourage as many people as possible to dedicate more time to play and playful experiences.

“By developing a free resource that everybody can use with the children they work with, we aim to remove any barriers to play. All you need are some LEGO bricks and your imagination!”

Download the resource here.