Growing up is about more than having food, shelter, healthcare and a place at school. Children also need time to play, create, move, imagine, explore and enjoy being children.
In 2024, Uganda held its first National Play Day, organised by the Government of Uganda with UNICEF and other partners, highlighting play as a powerful part of children’s learning, wellbeing and development.
Uganda’s National Parenting Training Manual, published in 2025 by the Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development with UNICEF, identifies play, stimulation, activities that build self-esteem, participation in household chores and opportunities to learn responsibility as parts of balanced child development. It also explains that children develop physically, intellectually, socially and emotionally through play.
For Purple Rose, Skills & Joy means giving children opportunities that fit naturally into everyday life. They can draw and make crafts, sing and dance, play sports and games, read books, help with gardening or simple cooking, and take part in age-appropriate household tasks.
These activities do not need to follow a Western model of childhood or depend on expensive equipment. Through play and practical activities, children can develop confidence, creativity, cooperation, responsibility and independence. Just as importantly, they have time to laugh, build friendships and create positive childhood memories.