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2026 Children's Play Care Forum

The 2026 Children's Play Care Forum will take place on May 31, 2026, at the National Olympic Memorial Youth Center in Shibuya, Tokyo. This event, organized by the certified NPO Arts and Play Creativity Association, aims to focus on play support for children with severe illnesses and disabilities. This forum will gather medical, childcare, and welfare professionals from across the country for a day of sharing practical insights in this essential field, emphasizing the crucial role of play as a form of emotional nourishment for children in need.

Event Overview

Name

Children's Play Care Forum 2026 – “Nourishing Hearts through Play”

Date & Time

May 31, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 4:20 PM (Networking Event from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM)

Venue

National Olympic Memorial Youth Center
3-1 Yoyogi-Kamiyama-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

Capacity

500 participants

Participation Fee

• - General: 4,000 JPY
• - Members: 3,000 JPY
• - Students: 1,000 JPY

Organizers & Sponsors

The forum is being organized by the Arts and Play Creativity Association and the Tokyo Toy Museum, with co-sponsorship from the National Network for Supporting Children with Serious Illness and support from the Japanese Association of Occupational Therapists. The event is generously backed by the Nippon Foundation.

Registration

To attend, please register via the official website:
Application Link

Background of the Forum

Play is indispensable for children's growth, which is equally true for those facing severe health conditions. For over 30 years, the Arts and Play Creativity Association has championed the cause of “Every child can immerse themselves in the play they love,” advancing play support activities for hospitalized children. Since 2020, with the support of the Nippon Foundation, the organization has developed carefully curated toy sets called Mattari no Mushi (虫) and distributed them to 360 children's health facilities across Japan. This forum will serve as a gathering for contributors from these facilities, alongside healthcare workers, caregivers, and welfare professionals to exchange hands-on experiences.

Program Highlights

General Sessions (10:00 AM - 12:30 PM)

Talk Session 1: "Playing—Nourishment for Children with Illness and Everyone Involved"
Speaker: Kokoro Yamada, Director of Tokyo Toy Museum
Talk Session 2: "Play Support for Children with Illness—Towards the Future"
Special Guest: Masari Hoshino, Actress

Experiential & Networking Programs (1:30 PM - 4:20 PM)

• - Booths showcasing play experiences for children with severe disabilities, juggling performers, and street performance workshops.
• - Exhibition of Mattari no Mushi toy sets where participants can actively play with them.
• - Experience and exchange booths hosted by organizations supporting children with illnesses and disabilities.
• - Relay presentations from practitioners regarding play as emotional nourishment from the field.

Workshop Sessions

The forum will feature eight themed workshops (75 minutes each) focused on practical applications and discussions:
1. Healthcare professionals integrating play into community support
2. Exploring the significance of play in medical settings and its practices
3. Innovative play methods in developmental support
4. Building connections between communities that challenge traditional notions of play
5. Play support for medically fragile children
6. Family support through accessible play and community events
7. The importance of recognizing the caregiver as a vital participant
8. Ideas for maximizing play experiences in facilities for children with severe disabilities

Contact Information

For inquiries, please contact the Arts and Play Creativity Association. We utilize quality toys as tools for communication, promoting intergenerational engagement. The Tokyo Toy Museum also provides services through toy consultants at over 200 parenting salons across Japan and offers online play care for hospitalized children.
Official website: Arts and Play
Mattari no Mushi: Mushi

For further details about the Nippon Foundation, visit: Nippon Foundation.
Special requests for coverage can be made through this dedicated form: Press Inquiry

Don't miss this invaluable opportunity to contribute to, learn about, and engage in the essential cause of play for children with health challenges.