Play is a powerful driver of children’s social, emotional and cognitive development, providing crucial opportunities to develop executive function, deepen engagement and foster cognitive flexibility. Grounded in current research, this interactive workshop will explore the transformative impact of play on learning, challenge narrow definitions of what play is (and can be) within school settings and examine how playful learning can sit alongside a rigorous curriculum without sacrificing depth or quality. Participants will leave with research-informed insights and practical strategies they can immediately apply to enrich playful learning in Primary classrooms.