Murray State University’s Health and Physical Education program celebrates National Day of Play with community Healthy Horseplay event
By Jillian Smith | Sep 14, 2026
MURRAY, Ky. — Murray State University’s Health and Physical Education (HPE) program will celebrate the National Day of Play with a free Healthy Horseplay event from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Doran Arboretum.
The celebration follows a proclamation from Murray Mayor Bob Rogers officially recognizing the third Saturday of September as the National Day of Play in Murray. The proclamation encourages residents, institutions and organizations to create opportunities for play, rest, creativity, curiosity and connection throughout the community.
The proclamation recognizes play as an important part of physical, social, emotional and cognitive well-being for people of all ages and emphasizes the importance of providing children with the freedom, time, space and opportunity to play.
“Play is a necessary part of childhood, and even as we age, playfulness is essential. By providing children with time and space for play, we honor their biological need to move and engage in activities of their choice. Choice and autonomy are key drivers of play,” Dr. Kim Vigil, co-coordinator of HPE, said.
Healthy Horseplay, hosted by Murray State’s HPE program, is a free play, movement and reflection program designed for children ages 3-10. The program provides open-ended building and creative materials that encourage children to use their imaginations, be active and connect with others through child-directed play.
While Healthy Horseplay focuses on children, the National Day of Play emphasizes that play is important across the lifespan. The HPE program is encouraging families, schools, businesses and community organizations to find their own ways to participate in the celebration.
Activities can be as simple as art or a picnic in the park, yoga, nature walks and scavenger hunts, sidewalk chalk, musical play or opportunities for children and adults of different ages to play together.
“Play can be considered anything which brings us joy,” Vigil said.
The National Day of Play was established by the International Play Association USA to encourage communities across the country to recognize and promote the importance of play.
Murray State’s HPE program regularly provides students with opportunities to connect classroom learning with hands-on experiences that promote health, movement and wellness. Healthy Horseplay extends that work into the community while giving local children and families an opportunity to celebrate the joy and value of play.
Healthy Horseplay is free and open to the community. Pre-registration is encouraged, but not required. To pre-register, visit Healthy Horseplay Registration or visit bit.ly/healthyhorseplay.
For more information about Murray State University’s Health and Physical Education program, visit murraystate.edu/hpe.