LEGO Group Transforms Cities for International Day of Play

To mark World Play Day and the UN’s International Day of Play, the LEGO Group is spotlighting the transformative power of play by inviting children worldwide to reimagine urban spaces. A new global study commissioned by LEGO reveals that nearly 70% of parents feel their cities lack safe, accessible play spaces, while one in three children believe their needs are overlooked in urban design.

Through its global Build the Change challenge, LEGO has encouraged kids to share their visions for playful cities. These ideas are being brought to life in immersive installations and events in Boston, Berlin, London, and Shanghai, demonstrating how cities can become more vibrant and child-friendly when designed with play in mind. Highlights include pop-up play zones in Berlin, creative activities on Boston’s Rose Kennedy Greenway, playful landscapes along Shanghai’s riverfront, and the Play Pavilion in London’s Serpentine Gallery.

LEGO is also working with urban planners and policymakers—including at the United Nations in New York—to advocate for more kid-centric city design. Initiatives in Shanghai, Berlin, Boston, and London are supporting play-based learning, community engagement, and access to play for underserved children, with programs reaching tens of thousands of kids.

The company’s research, based on surveys of 10,000 parents and 10,000 children across 10 countries, underscores the benefits of play: 81% of kids say play makes them happier, and parents report reduced stress, improved well-being, and stronger community connections when cities prioritize play.

Julia Goldin, Chief Product and Marketing Officer at the LEGO Group, emphasized: “Play should not be limited to homes and schools—it should extend into our streets, parks, and public spaces. We’re providing kids with a platform to share their brilliant ideas, transforming their bold concepts into playful experiences that everyone can enjoy, and that we hope will inspire lasting change for generations to come.”

For more information about World Play Day and LEGO’s Build the Change program, visit lego.com