LET PLAY LEAD THE DAY

A new animation film looks to inspire families to find ways to play

Childhood education platform Tapestry and Amber Ogunsanya-William, aka Playworkeramber, have joined forces to launch an animated film called Let Play Lead the Day. Aimed at families, the film and accompanying resource pack celebrate the joy and importance of children’s play, as well as telling the story of Amber Ogunsanya-William’s own experience of growing up in an adventure playground.

Childhood experiences

Amber Ogunsanya-William’s childhood was spent in Tower Hamlets in London which had very limited access to parks and green spaces. Her father, however, managed an adventure playground and this gave her an imaginative wonderland in which she thrived.

“I literally grew up in the adventure playground,” Ogunsanya-William says. “My father was a magician of imagination and a storyteller who transformed ordinary space into extraordinary adventures. I took it for granted but now I realise my experience of play was quite different to my peers.”

My father was a magician of imagination who transformed ordinary space into extraordinary adventures

Figures from Play England highlight how play – and opportunities for play – continue to be under threat. According to Play England data, there has been a dramatic drop in children’s access to play compared to previous generations. Just 27% of children said they regularly play outside their homes, compared to 71% of the baby boomer generation. For those aged specifically between 55-64, it was 80% showing that rates of play have declined steadily in just a few generations.

Collaborative approach

Tapestry collaborated with Ogunsanya-William on the animation in order to help champion children’s freedom to play. The company works extensively within early years and with primary schools.

Dr Helen Edwards, co-founder of Tapestry and a former nursery owner, said: “We hope all the settings and schools that use Tapestry will share the animation with the families in their learning communities, helping to spread the message about the essential role of play.”

A recent survey by Tapestry showed that early years settings are using a variety of ways to share ideas and resources for play at home, Dr Helen Edwards explained: “We found they were providing newsletters with ideas for play at home, modelling play in class and using tools like Tapestry to share ideas.”

People

Who is Playworker Amber?

Amber Ogunsanya-William is an award-winning international inclusive play worker, consultant, and play advocate who believes that play is a universal superpower. Her vision is to change how the world sees plays, redefine the role of play in education and community development, while driving positive behaviour change and elevating performance through purpose-driven solutions. Her work has earned her the honour of being named the first-ever NSPCC Champion of Childhood.

Play doesn’t require expensive toys – it’s everyday magic that can happen anywhere

Angela Carter, Head of Community Services at Lloyds Park Children Charity – which runs a nursery in Walthamstow, London – highlights the central role of play in children’s development and in creating community. “At LPCC, we know play is more than fun, it’s how children learn, connect, and grow,” she says.

“Through play, families build understanding, empathy, and stronger bonds. It’s a shared language that brings us together across generations and cultures.”

The film is supported by an accompanying free resource for families, which encourages families to repurpose materials for play and to think about play in the everyday. Written by Ogunsanya-William, it offers practical, real-world examples, playful prompts and gentle encouragement for parents and carers who might feel overwhelmed or unsure about how to bring more play into their homes.

A full package

“Let Play Lead the Day isn’t just a resource, it’s a celebration of everyday magic, a rallying cry for joyful connection and a powerful invitation for families to rediscover the transformative power of play,” Ogunsanya-William explains.

“Together with Tapestry, we’ve crafted something that’s not only visually beautiful but emotionally resonant, practical and deeply rooted in the lived experiences of families, playworkers, and childhood advocates. At the heart of the project is a vibrant, heartwarming animation that brings play to life in the most accessible and inspiring way.

“Based on my own story, growing up surrounded by play and guided by my dad, a legendary playworker and now adventure playground manager, the animation shows how imagination can transform even the simplest moments into extraordinary adventures. It’s a joyful reminder that play doesn’t require expensive toys or elaborate setups. It can happen anywhere, in the kitchen, on the bus, in the garden - using repurposed materials, storytelling, and a little bit of wonder. It invites parents and carers to see play not as a task, but as a powerful tool for connection, creativity, and emotional growth.”

Let Play Lead the Day will be shared with 14,000 families across the UK and is supported by a number of organisations – including NSPCC, Play England, Eureka Children’s Museum, PlayBoard NI and PlayNation magazine.

“This project is a love letter to childhood, to caregivers, and to the playful spirit that lives in all of us,” Ogunsanya-William adds.

● To watch the animated film and to download the accompanying resource pack: [https://tapestry.info/let-play-lead-the-day/](https://tapestry.info/let-play-lead-the-day/)