blog
slide

Right to play is still important in war times


In this blog, Eurochild member Polina Klykova from Kyiv shows us how Ukraine’s children play
during the conflict.

Despite the UN General Comment No. 17 on the “right of the child to rest, leisure, play, recreational activities, cultural life and the arts” not covering this right during armed conflicts, we may see the especially positive impact of “natural games” on children’s emotional well-being and resilience. The “natural game” here refers to what children do without being pushed to do so; such activities are their own way of living and handling circumstances.

That is probably one of the reasons (or the only one) why we may see this type of content on social media created by children or by their parents, but not in public and official reports. Children who live in armed conflicts, under the daily threat of air raids while being exposed to high risks for their health and life, keep playing! ⚽️🥎🤸‍♂️

Children play

… during electricity blackouts which can last for hours. It is easier to play if you have a camping headlamp
underground. Given that children have to spend more time underground, they play with a ball, sing or dance while seeking refuge from the bombs in basements and bunkers.
… among the debris of buildings, like they used to do before in parks and on the street.

Right to play is still important in war times

Safeguarding note: To protect children’s privacy and to follow our child protection policy the visuals above are sketches by Davide Rambaldi based on actual footage uploaded on TikTok by children in Ukraine.

Further information




Related News/Events

slide
12 June 2025

New Childhood Centre offers hope and healing for Ukraine’s youngest victims of war

Eurochild member, Voices of Children Foundation, has officially begun the construction of a one-of-a-kind facility designed to support children and families affected by the trauma of war. On 5 June…
read more
slide
11 June 2025

The Right to Play: Lessons from childhood, carried into adulthood

A blog by Sabine Saliba, Eurochild Secretary General. As we mark the UN International Day of Play, I’m reminded of how powerful and necessary play is—not only for children’s development,…
read more
slide
13 May 2025

Council of Europe appoints Special Envoy of Secretary General on the situation of children of Ukraine

Former Icelandic Minister Thórdís Kolbrún Reykfjord Gylfadóttir appointed special envoy to support children of Ukraine, with a focus on trauma-informed care. At last month’s meeting of the Consultation Group on…
read more