Turning moments into momentum: Insights from The International Play Association Asia Pacific Conference 

The International Play Association Asia Pacific Conference 2025 was a game changer moving forward from the recognition of the power of play to examining how play can elevate urban design, public health and education. Over 250 people from 8 nations across the Asia Pacific got together to share ideas, inspire and collaborate. Healthy Cities Australia has the pleasure of presenting on the importance of play in the pre-teen age supported by evidence and learning from Active In-Betweens https://healthycities.org.au/programs/active-in-betweens/ and Play Illawarra https://playillawarra.com.au focusing on play throughout the ages and supporting adults to value play as our children get older. The conference itself was presented under 3 streams, urban design, education and health and wellbeing, inspiring us to support Play across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven.  

Have you had your vitamin P today?!  

Play is everywhere, not just in our playgrounds! During the activating Play in our Playgrounds, we visited inspirational play spaces including Royal Children’s hospital using play to alleviate anxiety in children getting MRIs thus decreasing need for medical intervention, Maribyrnong City Council who run weekly pop up and play sessions as a focus on the children in their council area to the initiative child and Aboriginal play spaces in the museum of Victoria. We attended the launch of the National Risky Play Position Statement https://www.playaustralia.org.au/national-risk-position-statement at the Venny a drop in space and adventure playground allowing freedom to play. It gives children opportunity to have ownership of their abilities using tools, fire and creativity to build their space. Risky Play is not unsafe play and is incredibly beneficial for our children and something we have strong advocates for here in the Illawarra Read more about the Risky Play. https://playillawarra.com.au/2025/07/23/wrong-way-up-why-climbing-slides-isnt-so-bad-after-all/  

The New Zealand contingent under Marr Curr presented on “National play system a catalyst for community health and wellbeing” whereby funding from Sport New Zealand put int place an incredible system across local government councils to enhance community wellbeing. Each council has a play advocate hired that look at play across all council domains including design, maintenance, rates and services and community engagement. Using already existing council funds creatively such as tree lopping to create playable structures, the advocates have supported citizens to understand play and help create healthier more playable cities through their advocacy work and creative funding ideas.   

In three separate workshops Christina Lee (Taiwan), Preeti Prada Panigrahi (Indian) and Dr. Sudeshna Chatterjee (India) gave inspirational insight into the power of play as medium to drive social change. From creating play events in political adult focused spaces and across suburbs in India, the key was integrating play into our neighbourhoods and cities with not only a benefit for our children but for adults too and as a community. When we support play, everyone in the community wins and we create a more cohesive, connected community. With increasing rates of social isolation noted in Australia, the idea that Play can be the key to supporting whole of community was integral.  

A theme across a few different sessions was around the increase in digital play and the changes this brings to our society. Eve Clarke from Northern Sydney Local Health District spoke about incredible initiative Screen time versus active play. With 85% of primary aged children spending 3 + hours a day on screens and getting a D- on meeting recommended physical activity, they consulted with local schools and established Webinar following up with Screen Savvy resources sent out to parents. With incredible results and a growing need for education and support for parents in the area it showed the growing need to address this topic when discussing children’s play.  

Play belongs in every space where children live learn and grow and athletes even our Olympian athletes started with Play. We attended the Launch pf Play 32 Position statement ahead of the Brisbane Olympics. Play 32 is a cross-sector collaboration of Australian leaders, organisations, practitioners, academics and collaborators united by a shared purpose: to advocate for children’s play and voice as a lasting inclusive legacy of the Olympics. It was enlightening to see the focus on creating a long-lasting impact of the Olympics something that historically doesn’t occur. Read the Position Statement here https://play32.org.au/hubfs/Position%20Paper%20Olympic%20Games.pdf?hsLang=en  

Play is the key.  The collection of people together in the room, landscape artists, council members, sport and rec, city planners, play supporters, education – the room was alive with inspiration and a passion for Play. We’ve all played, we must all play and we must safeguard and promote its importance for the health and wellbeing of our children and our community. Playful healthy communities benefit all and the International Play Association Asia-Pacific Conference inspired us to think outside the amazing playgrounds of the Illawarra and to advocate for play across all sectors.  

If you are a play advocate, please reach out to Michelle Barry Team Leader for Child Health Promotion michelle@healthycities.org.au or subscribe to https://playillawarra.com.au for all Play Inspiration in the Illawarra.