Previously Playgrounds for Palestine (UK)
Palestine Play Projects exists to help make play and creativity part of the lives of Palestinian children.
We envision a world in which Palestinian children’s right to play is upheld as part of a safe, happy and healthy childhood.
Over the years, we have worked in Lebanon and across Palestine to bring play and creative opportunities to Palestinian children, whether through building playgrounds or holding workshops. Today, with the continuing extreme levels of loss, trauma, and need in Gaza, we are focusing most of our projects on supporting these children.
We know play can’t stop the hunger, the bombs, or rebuild homes. But we also know the power play has to support children through the darkest of times, and to allow them to feel like children again. Supporting Palestinian children’s right to play is an act of solidarity and love.
As a small, volunteer-led charity, our expenses are minimal. Almost 95% of your donations go directly to supporting children in Palestine — giving your money the greatest impact. Thank you for your support.
A heartfelt thank you to all who donated. Together, we raised over £10,000 — an amazing achievement for a small charity, and a gift that will bring hope and support to children in Palestine. Your kindness means everything to us.
Our Big Give Appeal
How the money is being used
Thanks to your generosity, a further contract has now been signed with Child Smile, supporting over 1200 children.
Child Smile’s Mission: To empower displaced children and families in Gaza by delivering culturally rooted psychosocial support through theatre, storytelling and art. Their work turn griefs into resilience and isolation into community - reminding every child “You are not alone. Together, we begin again.”
Children’s Right To Play
Children across the world have the right to play, no matter where they live. Play is a vital component to children’s development, and is so important that it is enshrined as a right in the UN Convention on the Rights of a Child, recognising children’s rights to:
“Rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts.”
UN Convention on the Rights of a Child, Article 31
Play is critical to children’s emotional, physical, and mental wellbeing. It strengthens coordination, motor skills, empathy, critical thinking, problem solving, and leadership, all important to children’s growth. It also provides an escape from stress and release of tension. When children play, their imaginations are activated and new worlds are built. We work to support this beautiful and important part of childhood for Palestinian children, helping them navigate the stresses and dangers of occupation. From building physical playgrounds where possible, to delivering drama, art, music and play therapy sessions where needed, we are there. Because every child has the right to play.
Support like yours enables us to continue to provide critical play opportunities to Palestinian children.
You can read more about our work in Gaza, East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Lebanon here.