Youngkin declares Aug. 9 statewide 'Day of Play,' with main event planned in Henrico

Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin has declared Aug. 9 as “Commonwealth Day of Play,” a statewide celebration designed to connect children, families, and communities through active and screen-free play.

The main event will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Taylor Farm Park in Eastern Henrico County, with dozens of other sites throughout the state celebrating childhood. The Day of Play invites Virginians of all ages to step outside, get moving, and rediscover the importance of unstructured play, according to Youngkin.

The event is being coordinated by the governor’s office as part of the Reclaiming Childhood initiative, a statewide public awareness initiative designed to restore balance in young people’s lives by reducing screen time and replacing it with movement and meaningful social connection.

The effort has implemented a series of events, programs and policy actions – including Virginia’s Screen-Free Week, Bell-to-Bell Cell Phone-Free Schools, parent engagement campaigns, and play-centered programming – as a way to address rising youth mental health challenges by promoting real-world connection. 

“In a world glued to screens, we’re hitting pause and inviting our kids to rediscover joy in motion and community in conversation,” Youngkin said. “Our Commonwealth Day of Play and cell phone-free classrooms create spaces where every child can explore freely, connect face-to-face, and build the physical and emotional resilience that only unstructured play can deliver.” 

The Day of Play’s activities are being presented in partnership with local governments, schools, museums, businesses, and community organizations across the Commonwealth.

At Taylor Farm Park in Sandston, families will be able to play interactive games, engage in creative activities, visit food trucks, and learn about child-serving state agencies such as the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth, Virginia Department of Education, the Department of Social Services, and the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.

“Prioritizing children’s play — unstructured and screen-free — gives them the freedom to imagine, laugh, and to simply be kids,” said First Lady Suzanne S. Youngkin. “The Commonwealth Day of Play is a reminder that well-being begins in the wonder of a summer afternoon spent in motion and in community. Glenn and I are proud to support this effort to reclaim childhood, and with it, the mental wellness of Virginia’s young people.” 

Families can find local events, updates, and resources on the Day of Play by visiting Reclaimchildhood.virginia.gov. Events will continue throughout the summer and early fall statewide.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, outdoor play improves cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being, and serves as a protective factor against anxiety and depression.

One study cited in the American Medical Journal found that children who spend four hours of childcare in nature had an approximately 17.7% drop in cortisol levels, indicating that time spent outside significantly reduces stress in children. With higher rates of mental health challenges associated with excessive screen and social media use in teens, national data reveals that children now average 5-7 hours of screen time daily, far above daily thresholds.

“We know that physical activity and play aren’t just good for kids, they’re vital,” said Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources Janet Kelly. “The Day of Play is about giving children the time, space, and support to move, connect, and thrive. At a time when screen use is at an all-time high and linked to increased stress and isolation, creating intentional opportunities for screen-free fun is one of the best investments we can make in the mental health and well-being of Virginia’s youth.”