Published on 22.06.26 in Risk & play & Muddy Faces

We are Playday Champions!

We're proud to have been recognised as official supporters of Play England's Playday campaign.

Playday is the national day for play

Traditionally held on the first Wednesday in August, in 2026 PlayDay is on Wednesday 5 August

Playday is a celebration of children’s right to play, and a campaign that highlights the importance of play in children’s lives. Something we at Muddy Faces support whole-heartedly.

Since 2025 we have been official Playday Champions. Eugene Minogue, Executive Director of Play England, said:

It’s brilliant to hear that Muddy Faces is already promoting the Playday campaign and aligning so strongly with its core messages, particularly around outdoor, messy, and child-led play. Your Outdoor Hub is a valuable resource and very much reflects the spirit of Playday and the wider right to play movement.

We’d be delighted to welcome Muddy Faces as a Playday Champion. The aim of the Champions scheme is to recognise and celebrate organisations that actively promote children’s right to play and support the Playday campaign in visible and practical ways - and you’re clearly doing both.

We are proud to be official supporters of Playday since 2025 & to be recognised as Playday Champions!

The theme for Playday 2026 is … Play – here, there, everywhere!

This year’s theme highlights the importance of creating opportunities for children to play wherever they are. Play happens here, there and everywhere, from living rooms to school gates, to streets, parks, and neighbourhoods. It’s a part of children’s everyday life, and has a monumental impact on their happiness, health, and wellbeing. When children are supported to play in these everyday spaces, we help nurture positive outcomes, and create communities where children can thrive.

To find out more read our PlayDay 2026 events page.

Playday 2026

The national day for play.

Mud Champions

We believe it is important to acknowledge and celebrate the work that people do that is often unseen, behind the scenes.

That is why we created Muddy Faces Mud Champions - Mud Champions are people who do amazing things in the world of mud play, messy play and natural play outdoors.

Photo is Lizzy Allen of Coed Ceirios Forest School with her Mud Champion medal