All work and no play is no fun at all, so with that in mind, this year's National Playday, on August 3, will be celebrating children's right to play, with lots of fun (and educational) events across the UK.

National Playday, which is organised by The Children's Society and The Children's Play Council is now in its 18th year. This year's theme is Fit For Play, where the focus will be on getting children involved in physical play that can help them keep fit and have fun at the same time.

Play may seem like pretty basic thing to celebrate, but it is a vital part of a child's learning and development, as it's through play that children learn about the world around them. As they grow and play, children are able to develop their social skills, physical co-ordination, mental skills and emotional awareness, as well as their creativity, confidence and self-esteem.

Playing physical games whether it's organised sports such as football or just a rough and tumble game with friends helps to build stamina, muscle strength and co-ordination. By being active at an early age, children can start creating heatlhy habits that will help to ward off childhood obesity or health problems that may occur in later life.

With growing social concerns about diet and fitness, this year's Playday theme will highlight the condition of children's local outdoor play areas, many of which are not fit for children to play in according to many parents and their children.

Gary Lineker, who is supporting National Playday said: "Our children should be fit and healthy now more than ever. Fitness and well-being starts with play at an early age. Children across the country deserve the best opportunities to play and have fun. That's what National Playday is all about."

To help celebrate National Playday on August 3 Hyde Park will be playing host to Activ8, a free event for families that has been organised by the Mayor of London's office.

Activ8 will be crammed with things for children to see, do and learn.

The event is split into zones so children will be able to try out activities in the food zone, the mind zone and the body zone. There will also be areas set aside for teens and for the under fives so no-one feels left out.

For more information about National Playday and the Activ8 event visit www.playday.org.uk or the mayor's office web site at www.london.gov.uk