Applications are now open for the Active Play Challenge 2026, a global initiative inviting legally registered organizations from around the world to develop innovative solutions that make active play more accessible, inclusive, and equitable for children and young people. The challenge seeks practical projects that transform cities into healthier, more playful environments where children can grow, learn, stay active, and thrive.

As urbanization continues to reshape communities worldwide, opportunities for children to engage in regular active play have steadily declined. Limited access to safe public spaces, busy lifestyles, inadequate infrastructure, and changing social environments have reduced the amount of time children spend playing outdoors and engaging in physical activity. The Active Play Challenge aims to reverse this trend by supporting organizations that are reimagining urban spaces and designing programmes that integrate active play into everyday life.

Successful initiatives will receive funding ranging from USD $50,000 to USD $100,000, together with expert technical guidance to help refine and implement their projects. Shortlisted finalists will also benefit from learning opportunities and peer-to-peer collaboration with other innovators working to improve children’s health and wellbeing globally.

If your organization is passionate about creating healthier cities, promoting childhood development, encouraging physical activity, or designing innovative public spaces, this challenge provides an outstanding opportunity to turn your ideas into lasting impact.

About the Active Play Challenge

The Active Play Challenge is a global competition focused on increasing opportunities for active play for children and young people in cities across the world.

The challenge recognizes that active play is essential for children’s:

• Physical development
• Mental wellbeing
• Cognitive growth
• Social development
• Emotional health
• Creativity
• Learning
• Independence

Despite its importance, many children today have fewer opportunities to play due to increasing urbanization, limited recreational spaces, traffic congestion, safety concerns, and changing lifestyles.

The challenge seeks innovative initiatives that help overcome these barriers and make active play an integral part of daily life.

Its vision is simple:

To make cities active through play, everywhere, every day.

Why Active Play Matters

Active play is much more than recreation.

Research consistently shows that regular active play contributes to:

• Healthy physical growth
• Improved mental health
• Better concentration
• Enhanced learning outcomes
• Increased creativity
• Stronger social relationships
• Higher confidence and resilience
• Prevention of childhood obesity
• Lifelong healthy habits

Creating environments where children can play freely supports healthier families, stronger communities, and more inclusive cities.

The Active Play Challenge aims to support organizations developing practical solutions that make these benefits accessible to all children and young people.

What the Challenge Is Looking For

The Active Play Challenge seeks practical, innovative initiatives that increase opportunities for active play for children and young people aged 0 to 25 years.

Projects should make active play:

• More accessible
• More inclusive
• More equitable
• Easier to integrate into everyday life

Rather than focusing solely on recreational facilities, the challenge encourages applicants to rethink how active play can be incorporated into homes, schools, neighbourhoods, streets, and public spaces.

Challenge Categories

Applicants may submit projects under one of three categories.

1. Play by Design

This category focuses on physical and spatial interventions that incorporate active play into the design of everyday environments.

Examples may include:

• Streets designed for play
• Child-friendly public spaces
• School playground innovations
• Community parks
• Playable neighbourhoods
• Housing developments that encourage movement
• Interactive public installations
• Building designs promoting physical activity

The emphasis is on creating environments where children naturally engage in active play during their daily routines.

2. Play in Action

This category supports activities and services that integrate active play into existing spaces and everyday routines.

Examples include:

• Community programmes
• School-based initiatives
• Recreational activities
• Youth engagement programmes
• Family participation projects
• Physical activity campaigns
• Inclusive sports and play programmes

The objective is to encourage regular movement without necessarily requiring new infrastructure.

3. Play for Early Years

This category specifically supports projects designed for:

• Children aged 0–5 years
• Parents
• Caregivers

The focus is on promoting healthy early childhood development through active play.

Eligible initiatives may include:

• Early childhood play programmes
• Parent-child activities
• Developmental play interventions
• Community early learning projects
• Inclusive play environments for toddlers

This category receives additional support from the Van Leer Foundation, reflecting its emphasis on improving outcomes during the critical early years of life.

Who Can Apply?

The Active Play Challenge welcomes applications from:

• Legally registered organizations worldwide

Organizations should have both:

• The legal mandate
• The operational capacity

to lead and implement an initiative that creates opportunities for active play.

The organizers strongly encourage applications from:

• Youth-led organizations

These are organizations led by individuals aged 18 to 25 years, recognizing the important role young leaders play in designing innovative solutions for healthier communities.

Prize Funding

The Active Play Challenge offers substantial financial support to selected winners.

Winning Initiatives

Up to six winning initiatives will receive funding ranging between:

• USD $50,000
• USD $100,000

Funding is intended to help organizations:

• Refine their ideas
• Develop implementation plans
• Deliver their proposed initiatives
• Scale innovative solutions
• Increase community impact

Additional Benefits

Beyond financial support, winning organizations will receive:

Technical Guidance

Successful teams will benefit from expert advice throughout the implementation period.

This support may include:

• Project refinement
• Technical mentoring
• Implementation guidance
• Strategic advice
• Capacity strengthening

Learning Opportunities

Shortlisted finalists will also receive access to:

• Selected learning programmes
• Knowledge-sharing sessions
• Professional development opportunities

Peer-to-Peer Exchange

Finalists will have opportunities to connect with fellow innovators working on similar initiatives worldwide.

These exchanges promote:

• Collaboration
• Shared learning
• Innovation
• Best practice dissemination

Why Organizations Should Apply

The Active Play Challenge offers organizations an opportunity to:

• Access significant implementation funding
• Improve children’s health and wellbeing
• Promote healthier cities
• Develop innovative urban solutions
• Strengthen organizational capacity
• Receive international recognition
• Build partnerships
• Learn from global experts
• Join a worldwide network of innovators

For organizations already working in child development, urban planning, education, health, or community development, this challenge provides valuable support for expanding their impact.

Preparing a Strong Application

Applicants should ensure their proposals:

• Clearly address barriers to active play.
• Demonstrate innovation.
• Show measurable community impact.
• Promote inclusion and equity.
• Explain how children and young people will benefit.
• Present realistic implementation plans.
• Demonstrate organizational capacity to deliver the project.

Projects should be practical, scalable, and sustainable.

How to Apply

Interested organizations should:

1. Review the eligibility requirements.
2. Identify the most appropriate challenge category.
3. Develop a clear and practical proposal.
4. Submit the application through the official Active Play Challenge application portal.
5. Review the FAQs and webinar resources if additional guidance is required.

Applicants can also watch the official Q&A webinar recording to better understand:

• Eligibility requirements
• Application categories
• Selection process
• Frequently asked questions

These resources can help applicants prepare stronger submissions.

APPLY HERE

Application Deadline

The challenge announcement encourages organizations to apply but does not specify an application deadline in the available information. Applicants are therefore advised to visit the official application portal and submit their applications as early as possible once they have prepared all required materials.

Visit HERE to learn more about the Active Play Challenge 2026.

Conclusion

The Active Play Challenge 2026 represents an exciting global opportunity for organizations committed to improving the lives of children and young people through active play. By supporting innovative ideas that transform cities into healthier, more inclusive, and engaging environments, the challenge seeks to inspire practical solutions that can create lasting benefits for communities around the world.

With funding of up to USD $100,000, expert implementation support, learning opportunities, and international networking, the challenge provides a unique platform for organizations to expand their impact while helping children grow, learn, and thrive through everyday active play. Organizations with creative, practical, and scalable ideas are encouraged to prepare strong applications and seize this opportunity to contribute to healthier cities and brighter futures for children worldwide.

Discover more global Competition opportunities on OFY HERE.