EYA National Week of Play 2026

2026 theme: books and beyond - bringing stories to life through imaginative play

A child’s imagination is their most powerful tool. It can turn a simple stick into a sword, a box into a castle, and a bedroom into the deepest reaches of outer space.

And there are few better ways to feed a child’s imagination than through storytelling. Stories act as a springboard for play, inspiring real-world exploration and creativity, and supporting language development, emotional understanding and curiosity. By weaving stories into their play, young children can start to make sense of the world, and form connections with those around them.

That’s why in support of the National Year of Reading, this year’s National Week of Play is all about the power of storytelling in the early years. Through a range of free resources, blogs and virtual events to both early years providers and families, we’ll explore the wonderful ways that books and stories can help feed children’s imaginations and prime them for play.

From the written word to oral tales, literary classics to made-up-on-the-spot originals, this year’s Play Week celebrates storytelling in all its forms.

Register for your FREE PLAY WEEK resource pack here.

==

Muddy Faces storytelling resources

In the Outdoor Hub: Words, poems & stories | Useful websites

In the shop: Storytelling | Creative Play