Gov. Glenn Youngkin has declared Saturday, Aug. 9, as the Commonwealth’s inaugural “Day of Play,” a statewide initiative designed to encourage families to step away from screens and engage in outdoor activities to support youth mental health.
The celebration is part of Youngkin’s broader “Reclaiming Childhood” initiative, launched through Executive Order 43 in November 2024 following a youth mental health summit. The initiative aims to reduce screen time among young people by 25% in 2025 and promote face-to-face social connections.
“In a world glued to screens, we’re hitting pause and inviting our kids to rediscover joy in motion and community in conversation,” Youngkin said in a statement.
While the governor’s office says “dozens” of events will take place statewide, the initiative’s website currently lists five specific locations: Taylor Farm Park in Sandston, the Science Museum of Virginia in Richmond, the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley in Winchester, the Frontier Culture Museum in Staunton, and the Greater Williamson Road Area Business Association at Brookside Par 3 Golf Course in Roanoke.
Alexandria has no events listed on the city’s calendar to celebrate the day, and no Northern Virginia events appear on the state’s website. The website encourages communities to “celebrate in your own community,” suggesting additional informal events may be planned elsewhere.
The initiative comes as national data shows children now average five to seven hours of daily screen time, well above recommended thresholds. Research cited by state officials indicates that excessive screen and social media use among teenagers is linked to higher rates of mental health challenges.
Events will feature interactive games, creative activities, and educational programming. Some museums are offering free admission for children and period-accurate games.
First Lady Suzanne Youngkin emphasized the importance of unstructured play. “Prioritizing children’s play—unstructured and screen-free—gives them the freedom to imagine, laugh, and to simply be kids,” she said.
The Day of Play builds on Virginia’s “Bell-to-Bell Cell Phone-Free Schools” policies and other efforts to reduce screen time in educational settings.
Families can find information about events and sign the Reclaiming Childhood Pledge at Reclaimchildhood.virginia.gov.
