The Power of Play:
Building resilience for children affected by the war in Ukraine
On June 11, the first International Day of Play (IDOP), we celebrated the vital role of play in our education, child protection and mental health and psychosocial support initiatives in Ukraine, Moldova, Poland and Romania.
As the global community confronts the challenges of protracted conflicts and humanitarian crises, the importance of quality, inclusive play is non-negotiable. Play is a right enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and an important part of achieving the 2030 Development Agenda. It's a fundamental right that must be protected and nurtured, especially for the most vulnerable children - those at risk of losing their childhood.
Since the escalation of the war in Ukraine in February, almost three million Ukrainian children have been in need of humanitarian assistance, with many forced to flee their homes. The impact has been devastating, with many children taking on adult responsibilities at a young age, dropping out of school and facing social isolation and stress.
The war has stolen the most precious thing from children. This is childhood, the right to education and play."
In situations of crisis and insecurity, quality inclusive play contributes to the social and emotional wellbeing, development and resilience of children and young people. "Through play, children are helped to forget their fears, express and better understand their emotions and try to see new perspectives for a better life in peace. Play also helps displaced children to socialise and integrate into their new environment. The language of play is international and all children understand it," adds Stela.
Whether through games, storytelling or creative activities, quality inclusive play empowers girls and boys, supports their agency and enables them to regain a sense of routine in insecure circumstances.
"As a refugee girl, I always struggled to connect with my peers, especially when I was in a different country. When we play, we can learn different things from each other, and most importantly, we can share what worries or excites us," says 11-year-old Alina from Odesa.
Since 2022, Plan International has been working with local partners to implement various play-based programmes and activities in Ukraine, Moldova, Romania and Poland. One such initiative in Moldova is the Ludobus and Ludoteca - mobile play buses and libraries - which provide play-based learning opportunities for children from Ukraine and the host community.
"I come here [to the Ludobus activity] because I feel happy here. I dance, I sing and there is music. We play football, but my favourite activity is drawing," says Danya, a 7-year-old refugee boy from Mykolaiv in southern Ukraine.
Like Danya, other children enjoy the lively and joyful games of the Ludobus, run by the local organisation Amici dei Bambini. "When I play, I feel brave, I feel I can do anything," says 9-year-old Boris, who has been living in Moldova for over 2 years. "I love it when the Ludobus comes to visit us. We can all get together with other children and get to know each other."
Play is never just play
In the midst of war, organisations in Ukraine continue to develop play-based initiatives to support children. "In such conditions, it is crucial to engage children in their primary activity of play. Play not only serves developmental and educational purposes, but also has a therapeutic function, helping to divert their attention and bring calm," explains Marina Vinokurova, Child Friendly Space Facilitator, Slavic Heart, a local organisation in Ukraine that works with children.
As the war continues and more children are displaced, specialised play zones are being set up in refugee centres and community spaces. Designed to provide educational and therapeutic play, these zones help build children's resilience and support their emotional and social development.
"At Plan, we prioritise the holistic wellbeing of children and young people affected by the war in Ukraine by integrating play-based learning into our programming. Play is so much more than a recreational activity; it's an integral component that complements education, child protection, mental health and psychosocial support initiatives," says Lucy Strickland, Education in Emergencies Specialist at Plan International.
Play - a driver of children's rights in complex emergencies
The power of play lies in providing children and young people with age-appropriate educational and psychosocial support, fostering resilience, cognitive and emotional development, social connectedness and a sense of stability.
"The collective experience from Ukraine and refugee hosting countries underlines the profound impact of play in crisis contexts. Playful approaches to learning have been shown to significantly improve children's learning and well-being, equipping them with the skills, confidence and competencies to shape their own futures," adds Lucy.
As Plan International and our local partners mark the first International Day of Play on 11 June by celebrating the power of play for girls and boys, we will continue to prioritise and protect every child's right to time and space to play, and provide ongoing support for quality, inclusive play as part of the response to the Ukraine crisis.
Find out more at www.internationaldayofplay.org
Read the Call to Action from children and young people - https://childfriendlygovernance.org/international-day-of-play
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