Worldwide Day of Play facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Worldwide Day of Play |
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| Country of origin | United States |
| Production | |
| Running time | 3 hours |
| Release | |
| Original network | Nickelodeon (2004–) Nick Jr. (2004–) Nicktoons (2004–) Nick GaS (2004–2007) TeenNick (2007–) NickMusic (2016–) |
| Original release | October 2, 2004 |
| Chronology | |
| Related shows | Let's Just Play Go Healthy Challenge |
The Worldwide Day of Play is a special yearly event. It encourages kids and their families to turn off screens. The goal is to go outside and play together. This fun event officially started on October 2, 2004.
It has been shown on many US Nickelodeon channels. These include Nickelodeon, Nick GAS, Noggin, TeenNick, Nicktoons, Nick Jr., and NickMusic. The event is the big ending for Nick's six-month-long Let's Just Play campaign. Also, Nick.com used to have special features. These helped kids learn how to stay active and healthy.
Since the late 2000s, this event has gone global. It has been shown in countries like Germany, Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg), Greece, Poland, and Russia.
Why We Play: The Purpose of Worldwide Day of Play
This event helps kids think about being active. It encourages them to step away from the TV. Schools and other groups are also asked to host their own play events. These events are all about getting active.
From 2007 to 2017, Nickelodeon stopped its regular shows. This happened on all its channels during the Worldwide Day of Play. Channels like Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Nicktoons, and TeenNick would go "off air." This break lasted for three hours, from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. (ET/PT). It was a way to tell kids to "get up, go outside and play."
Viacom, which owns Nickelodeon, said millions of people would join in. They expected thousands of events in many different countries. When the Let's Just Play campaign finished in September, the "Worldwide Day of Play" was the grand finale. During the three hours of no programming, a special message would appear on screen. In 2008, there was no Let's Just Play campaign, but the Day of Play still happened.
Nickelodeon's 15th Worldwide Day of Play was on September 29, 2018. That year, the "Off-Air" screens did not appear on the Nick networks.
New Shows After the Play Break
After the Worldwide Day of Play ends, Nickelodeon often airs special shows. They might show marathons or new episodes of popular series. Often, these are shows from TeenNick or SpongeBob SquarePants.
In 2008, several shows had new episodes. These included SpongeBob SquarePants, Just Jordan, Tak and the Power of Juju, Zoey 101, iCarly, and Back at the Barnyard. That year also saw the season premiere of iCarly and the finale of My Family's Got GUTS.
In 2009 and 2010, new episodes of iCarly, True Jackson, VP, and Big Time Rush aired. In 2011, iCarly, Big Time Rush, and Supah Ninjas had new episodes. Before the 2012 event, new episodes of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness aired. Later that night, an hour-long final season premiere of iCarly was shown, with a sneak peek of See Dad Run.
For 2013, new episodes of Sanjay and Craig and Rabbids Invasion aired before the event. Premieres of Sam & Cat and The Haunted Hathaways were shown that evening. In 2014, Sanjay and Craig and Breadwinners had new episodes before the event. New episodes of The Haunted Hathaways, Henry Danger, Nicky, Ricky, Dicky & Dawn, The Thundermans, and AwesomenessTV aired in the evening.
In 2015, new episodes of Henry Danger, Game Shakers, and 100 Things To Do Before High School aired. In 2016, season premieres of Henry Danger, Game Shakers, and School Of Rock were shown. In 2017, new episodes of Henry Danger and Game Shakers aired that evening.
Special Guests and Appearances
The Worldwide Day of Play often features special guests. These guests help encourage kids to get active. One famous guest was former first lady Michelle Obama. Cast members from popular Nickelodeon shows also made appearances. These included actors from Power Rangers: Samurai and Big Time Rush.
