Playing helps children develop potential and self-confidence: Minister
“Through the theme ‘Love Children, Protect and Build the Future,’ National Children’s Day reminds us of the importance of building a better future for children by providing them with opportunities to develop their potential,” the minister said in a statement here on Monday.
“Play is a meaningful way to support this, as it gives children the opportunity to express themselves, explore their talents, develop their creativity, and engage in a variety of positive experiences,” she added.
She believes these values align with the Lego Playground: Play and Be Great 2026 campaign at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII) in Jakarta. The campaign encourages children to learn, create, and build self-confidence through a child-friendly play environment.
The event held to commemorate National Children’s Day featured various interactive activities for children and families, including the Lego Playground Fun Competition, which invited participants to build creations using Lego blocks, while also telling the stories behind their creations.
The Lego Group’s General Manager for India and Asia Emerging Markets, Cedric Roose, said that playing is one of the most effective ways for children to learn, grow, and strengthen relationships with their families.
“According to the Lego Play Well Report 2026, 99 percent of parents in Indonesia believe that play plays a vital role in creating happiness, well-being, and closeness within families. In fact, 82 percent of parents believe that the benefits of play need to be further prioritized,” Cedric said.
He said that through Lego Playground, they want to provide a space for children to freely build, imagine, and express themselves, while also helping parents see how play can support children’s growth and development.
Meanwhile, the Deputy for Coordination of Family and Population Quality Improvement at the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, Woro Srihastuti Sulistyaningrum, believes that the creation of safe play spaces requires collaboration between various parties.
“Creating safe and supportive spaces for children requires cross-sector collaboration. The Lego Playground: Play and Be Awesome initiative supports children’s digital skills by encouraging a healthy balance between hands-on play and digital activities,” she said.
“Hence, children have the opportunity to play, learn, interact, and develop important skills for the future,” she added.
She believes that a balance between hands-on play activities and the use of technology is important for children to develop optimally and have the social and emotional skills they will need in the future.
The event was also attended by the Director of Miscellaneous, Toys, Sports Equipment and Musical Instruments Industry of the Ministry of Industry, Reny Meilany, and the ranks of Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII).
Through this campaign, Lego Group hopes that more families will make playing a part of their daily activities to support children’s growth and development while strengthening the relationship between children and parents.
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Translator: Ida Nurcahyani, Katriana