International Day of Play
Reclaiming play as a pillar of African life
In today’s fast-paced, hyper-productive professional world, play has been pushed to the edge, dismissed as childish, irrelevant, or a weekend luxury. However, this cultural shift has a cost, and nowhere is it more visible than among Africa’s growing class of working professionals who are also parents. In the high-level conversations around economic growth, family policy, and education reform across Africa, play is still largely invisible. Yet its absence is quietly shaping the emotional, cognitive, and social development of our children and the well-being of the professionals raising them.
Play is not just for children. It is a vital human need. For children, play teaches language, empathy, negotiation, and confidence. For adults, it fosters creativity, emotional regulation, and connection. In fact, many of the competencies celebrated in today’s professional world, such as innovation, resilience, and adaptability, are nurtured through early and continued exposure to play.
Yet, in the race for performance, we have created environments where neither children nor adults are allowed to slow down, let alone laugh, experiment, or rest. The result? Overworked professionals, disconnected families, and children who are taught that success is about doing, not being. It is important to ask ourselves what kind of legacy we are leaving behind if joy, curiosity, and human connection are left out of the picture.
Across African societies, play was once woven into daily life. Storytelling, riddles, communal games, and music served as tools for education and emotional expression. These traditions are fading, and with them, the very cultural fabric that helps raise whole, grounded human beings.
As a working parent, often balancing long work hours, family responsibility, and civic duty, the time and energy for playful parenting has vanished. Yet the evidence is clear: children who engage in regular play are better problem solvers, communicators, and learners. Adults who engage in light, recreational play demonstrate better creativity, focus, and emotional resilience.
If we are serious about holistic development, the case for play must be included in policy frameworks that touch on family life, early childhood development, mental health, and work culture. This would mean integrating play-based learning into early childhood education and parenting support programmes. As business owners and team leaders, we must encourage flexible work policies that promote better work-life balance for caregivers. As publishers, we encourage investing in culturally relevant content, such as books, games, and publications, that draw from African traditions and promote intergenerational engagement. Additionally, it would be ideal to reclaim and build more public spaces for community-based recreation and storytelling.
At Epsilon Publishers, we believe the role of publishing is not just to inform but to preserve and promote what matters. Through editing, design, translation, and printing, we help professionals document and share practical, culturally grounded knowledge, including on topics like parenting, well-being, and play. Let us design systems, schedules, and content that make room for joy. It is time we revive local games, rethink school environments, and create workplaces that understand the power of play.
