Events will take place across Virginia on August 9, 2025, as part of the newly declared Commonwealth Day of Play. Governor Glenn Youngkin announced the initiative to encourage children, families, and communities to participate in screen-free activities that promote physical movement and social connection. The main gathering is scheduled for Taylor Farm Park in Henrico County, with additional events planned statewide.
The Day of Play is a key component of the Reclaiming Childhood initiative led by the Governor’s Office. This effort aims to reduce screen time among young people and increase opportunities for unstructured play and real-world interaction. Other actions under this initiative include Screen-Free Week, Bell-to-Bell Cell Phone-Free Schools, parent engagement campaigns, and programs centered around play.
“In a world glued to screens, we’re hitting pause and inviting our kids to rediscover joy in motion and community in conversation,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “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 event at Taylor Farm Park will feature interactive games, creative activities, food trucks, and information from state agencies such as the Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth, Virginia Department of Education, Department of Social Services, and Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. Local governments, schools, museums, businesses, and community organizations are also involved in organizing celebrations tailored to their neighborhoods.
“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.”
In Roanoke, the Greater Williamson Road Area Business Association will host an event offering traditional games as well as soccer-style golf for children. The Roanoke City Police will co-host field day games along with touch-a-truck experiences. The celebration includes a barbecue meal alongside food trucks and contests featuring prizes from local restaurants.
Other participating organizations include the Science Museum of Virginia with special programming; Museum of the Shenandoah Valley hosting outdoor activity stations like yoga; Frontier Culture Museum; Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation offering free admission for children; as well as Virginia State Parks promoting outdoor exploration through social media outreach.
“We know that physical activity and play aren’t just good for kids—they’re vital,” said Secretary of Health and Human Resources Janet V. 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.”
Research cited by organizers indicates that outdoor play improves cognitive development while helping reduce anxiety levels among children according to findings published by groups such as the American Academy of Pediatrics. One study found that spending four hours outdoors resulted in nearly an 18% drop in cortisol levels among children—a marker associated with lower stress.
Excessive daily screen time remains common among youth nationally—averaging five to seven hours per day—and has been linked with higher rates of mental health challenges according to national data sources (https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/mshs/index.htm). As recess periods have declined within many school settings (https://www.edweek.org/leadership/the-case-for-recess-how-kids-benefit-from-unstructured-play-at-school/2022/03), initiatives like Commonwealth Day seek to reverse these trends by promoting more frequent breaks from screens alongside greater parent-child interaction.
“Through the success of Bell-to-Bell Cell Phone-Free Education across the Commonwealth we’ve seen that students thrive when they step away from screens connect with their peers,and engage withthe world around them,” said Secretaryof Education Aimee Guidera.“I am gratefulto have hadthe opportunityto workwiththe Reclaiming Childhood Taskforceon improvingyouthmentalhealthand studentwellbeingacrossthestate.A heartfeltthank-youtoour partnersacrossVirginiawhomadethisinauguraleventpossiblebecauseeverychilddeservesdaysfullofplay.”
Families interestedin learningmoreaboutlocalactivitiesor accessingresourcescanvisitReclaimchildhood.Virginia.gov.EventsrelatedtotheDayofPlaywillcontinueinthesummerandearlyfallthroughoutVirginia.
