National
Playday

Wednesday 5 August 2026

Celebrating play in our communities…

Held on the first Wednesday of August each year, Playday is an annual nationwide celebration of play.

The theme for 2026 is ‘Play – here, there, everywhere!’ It’s all about creating opportunities for children and young people to play wherever they are – supporting their happiness, physical and emotional health and wellbeing, and connection to the world around them.

This year’s event is on Wednesday 5 August and, as well as our usual big family fun day at Pennington Flash, we’re also supporting a number of community-run events all across the borough – both on the day itself, and in the days that follow.

We believe every child and young person has the right to play. Together, we can create a more playful, inclusive world where all children can grow, thrive, and belong.

Lots of fun at the Flash!

We’ll be back at Leigh’s Pennington Flash on Wednesday 5 August for our annual free Playday event.

Expect a whole host of fun, family-friendly activities from 11am-3pm, including:

  • Inflatables (assault course, total wipeout, helter-skelter, bouncy castle, chevron slide)
  • Cave Bus
  • Trampolines
  • Scavenger Hunt
  • Climbing Wall
  • Football
  • Arts and Crafts
  • Junk Modelling
  • Pop-up Family Bike Rides 

No ticket required. Please note: parking available at £2.50 all day. Additional, free parking is available at Leigh Sports Village (please do not park at Morrisons supermarket car park or you may receive a parking ticket)

Visit Pennington Flash

Play – here, there, everywhere!

This year we’re also proud to be supporting a number of community-run events across Wigan Borough.

These events are being organised and managed by volunteers and groups from our communities, with funding from the council’s Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme.

They are all free of charge and no ticket is required. Simply turn up and join in the fun!

Watch out for more details and activities being added.

Children at an arts and crafts table
A young girl holds up a colourful cardboard butterfly

Where and when…

Wednesday 5 August

Astley – The Field (11am-3pm) with Complete Kindness CIC. Picnic and Play event with storytelling, drama, circle games, bubbles, balloons and juggling scarves.

Beech Hill – Beech Hill Playbox (1pm-3pm) with Park Play Makers. Making chalk boxes from bird boxes to distribute around the community.

Ince – James Street and Westwood paths (1.30pm-4.30pm) with Ataraxia for All. Community nature walk followed by a picnic.

Leigh – Gemstone Cheer and Dance, 198 Chapel St (12pm-2.30pm). Free open play session using cheer, dance and gymnastics equipment, air track and toys.

Leigh – Heart Communities CIC, Spinners Mill (times tbc). Free creative play and making session with take-home creative packs.

Leigh – Northwest Computer Museum, Spinners Mill (times tbc). Hands-on technology playground featuring arcade games, vintage computers, coding and STEM activities.

Orrell – Holgate Park (11am-2pm) with Brighter Better Orrell. Community picnic and family play activities.

Platt Bridge – Platt Bridge community green (6.30pm-8pm) with Come and See. Games, tattoos, bubbles, balloon modelling, sports-day activities, tug of war and refreshments.

Shevington – Shevington Recreation Ground and Youth Club (times tbc) with Shevington District Community Association. Community play day with local play groups and nurseries.

Wigan – Cherries Community Garden (times tbc) with Friends of Cherries Community Garden. Nature treasure hunt, bug hunting, chalk art, bubbles, skipping, hoops, garden games, seed planting and nature crafts.

Thursday 6 August

Aspull – The One House (9am-1pm) with One Together. Family outdoor Lego play session.

Shevington – Crooke Methodist Church and woods (2pm-5pm) with Mindful Events. Woodland adventure play day with nature art, scavenger hunts and traditional games.

Friday 7 August

Standish – Ashfield Park (12pm-4pm) with Let’s Shape Our Creativity. Play day organised by two local children, with fundraising and community activities.

Sunday 9 August

Leigh – Spinners Mill (times tbc) with Gaming for Good. Family-friendly Gaslands tabletop gaming event and custom vehicle-making activity.

Saturday 15 August

Appley Bridge – Stockley Park (1pm-4pm) with Friends of Stockley Park. Arts and craft linked to nature, bouncy castle, face painting and refreshments.

Find more play events

Playful Wigan & Leigh is a network of community groups who are helping to grow opportunities for play across Wigan Borough. Follow them on Facebook for news of what’s happening near you this summer and beyond.

Visit Playful Wigan & Leigh on Facebook

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