South Ayrshire Council News

The wet weather did not dampen the spirits of the crowd or Provost Winifred Sloan when she opened the event

Even the wet weather did not stop nearly one thousand local children, families and tourists taking part in The Big Play Day at South Ayrshire Council's Dam Park Stadium in Ayr.

The aim of The Big Play Day was to celebrate a child's right to play and also to encourage  children to try lots of new free play activities.  It is also an opportunity for their families and friends to go along and have a great time with the children.  The Big Play Day is a national event that is taking place on different dates across the country this summer.

South Ayrshire Provost Winifred Sloan, who welcomed everyone to The Big Play Day and officially opened the event, said:  "Our Big Play Day event was a great success despite the weather.  Dam Park Stadium was filled with the sound of happy children enjoying playing along with their family and friends.

"The wide range of activities, that were all free, gave children a chance to try something new from the wet and wild water slide to the climbing wall, from face painting to reading.  Many families chose to take along a picnic and make a day of it.   

"Children learn so much through play, it stretches their imagination and helps them to socialise."

The Council hosted the event working in partnership with South Ayrshire Childcare Forum. The event has received sponsorship from the Council and BAE systems.

The free activities available to children included: inflatable's; climbing wall; face painting; den building; wet and wild water slide; assault course; sports zone; bush craft; book bug; doon the beach with sandpit play; music; interactive dance; martial arts and community stalls.

Here are just a few of the comments from enthusiastic children and adults who attended the event:

• "Everything was fun who needs the sun."
• "I loved climbing to the top of the wall."
• "Water slide is great."
• "Thanks for great day, rock climbing, ice hockey, WII, face painting."
• "I think it was great and fantastic."
• "What a brilliant day kiddies loved it!"
• "Good to have activities aimed for younger children."
• "I had a great day and great fun."

View more photographs from The Big Play Day on Flickr.