Today is the first International Day of Play, and The Toy Association and The Toy Foundation are celebrating the new holiday with donations, guidance, and more.
The Toy Association is utilizing its philanthropic arm, The Toy Foundation, to oversee the donation of toys and games to more than 75,000 children across the U.S., with a total value of $900,000.
Play is more than just fun and games – it is a fundamental right that every child, no matter their circumstances, should be able to experience. We are thankful to all of our donors who have generously provided toys to make this International Day of Play a memorable one.
The Toy Foundation’s Toy Bank will send toys to The Father’s Heart Ministries, a New York City charity focused on serving low-income children, teenagers, and families. Other nonprofits supported by the Toy Foundation today include World Vision, Hope for New York, Metro Kidz, local United Way chapters, and MemorialCare Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach.
Industry leaders such as Bluebee Pals, Jazwares, Just Play, Mattel, Playmobil, Radio Flyer, Safari, Spin Master, Thames & Kosmos, and TOMY International are donating 95,725 toys in total.
The Toy Association is proud to unite the toy community in giving the gift of play to our nation's most vulnerable children through The Toy Foundation, and to offer families the tools they need to make play an important part of their children's day, through our Genius of Play initiative.
The Toy Association will also highlight its Genius of Play website. The site offers parents, guardians, and educators free play ideas based on different stages of development, downloadable activity guides, and articles of advice from experts.
International Day of Play was officially adopted by the U.N. General Assembly this year and spotlights the importance and impact of play on children. A network of industry leaders, initiated by The LEGO Group, joined together to campaign for the day’s recognition.
