We work with local partners across East Jerusalem, the West Bank, Gaza, and Lebanon to create and support play opportunities for Palestinian children. Our partners bring a wealth of lived experience to our projects, ensuring they fit the needs and realities of the children we work with.
Current Projects
Child Smile
Child Smile uses drama workshops as creative and emotional outlets for children in Gaza, strengthening their coping skills with trauma, loss, and violence.
Child Smile has now completed three 3-month projects funded by Palestine Play Projects, reaching well over 2000 children across five different areas of Gaza. They worked with displaced children in temporary shelters and learning centres across the Middle Governorate (Deir al-Balah, Al-Nuseirat, Al-Zawaida) and Khan Younis.
The workshops provide psychosocial support through drama and the innovative “Magic Glove” approach, helping children recognise emotions such as fear, anger, sadness and joy — and equipping them with strategies to cope.
A fourth 2-month project is now imminent, thanks to your support. But we cannot do this without you.
Be the reason a child smiles.
“ I loved being part of this program. The activities were very helpful ... we learned a lot. ... I was displaced with my mother and siblings without my father, who was killed during the war. At that time, I didn’t know what to do—should I cry all the time or stay strong beside my mother and younger siblings? .... I couldn’t control myself the day my dad passed away. But today (thanks to the program) I can control my feelings, and I can even teach my siblings and play with them using the same games we learned. This was the first time I felt like something was helping me, because during the past days of
war, I didn’t feel anything good. ”
“Throughout the workshops, I observed a remarkable shift in the children. Many of them arrived quiet and hesitant, but with time, they began opening up and trusting the space we created. What touched me the most was when one of the girls said, ‘Here, I feel like I can speak without anyone interrupting me.’
This reminded me that these sessions are not just activities — they are safe spaces where children can breathe and feel seen.
I watched children encourage one another, resolve conflicts more positively, and bravely express their emotions. Even those who were shy at first started volunteering to participate. These workshops gave me hope as well. Despite everything happening around them, the resilience of the children was a strong reminder of why this work matters.”
CFTA
The Culture and Free Thought Association (CFTA) aims to provide children in Gaza with safe and supportive spaces to express themselves through play activities, music, and artistic creativity.
Their first 3-month project was recently completed, and we delighted to fund a new project to take place between June and December 2026.
Their first project
Over 200 children participated, including 10 with disabilities.
The highlight was a cultural and artistic celebration commemorating Palestinian Heritage Day - this brought together parents, children, schoolmates and members of the local community in a vibrant heritage-themed festival.
43 drawing & painting sessions
36 music & singing sessions
15 recycled art & creative sessions
Their new project
This project aims to provide children in Gaza (Khan Younis area) with safe and supportive spaces to express themselves through play activities, music, and artistic creativity. By engaging in structured activities, children will have the opportunity to explore their emotions, develop their talents, and regain a sense of joy and normalcy.
artistic drawing and creative workshops developing confidence and well being:
200 children
music and choir workshops helping children process their emotions and build confidence:
100 children
Indirect beneficiaries: 700 children and family members engaged through art exhibitions and performances
“Through the children’s artworks and their folkloric and musical performances, our children send a message to the world: we remain as long as thyme and olive trees remain—deeply rooted in our land, heritage, and identity.”
All children have the right to play.
We are proud to support the '‘I love you Silwan’ Summer Camp providing free, safe, and joyful summer activities for children who cannot afford private programs.
This summer, the camp will serve over 900 children across three locations in East Jerusalem:
● Wadi Hilweh (Silwan): ~700 children
● Baten Al-Hawa (Silwan): ~100 children
● Al-Issawiya (in partnership with Yad Waheda Community Centre): ~100 children
The project aims to provide structured recreational, educational, and therapeutic programming in a safe environment during the summer period. Activities include, art therapy, music therapy and singing, storytelling, dance and movement, theatre, clowning and puppet shows, traditional dabka, educational field trips, life skills workshops, group games and team building, and recreational activities such as swimming.
Maada Centre, Silwan, East Jerusalem
Children in East Jerusalem, particularly in Silwan and Al-Issawiya, live under extremely challenging and unstable conditions. They are exposed to a combination of systemic rights violations, including arbitrary arrests, interrogations, home demolitions, forced evictions, and settler-related violence. These conditions are compounded by chronic poverty, limited access to safe public spaces, and ongoing psychological stress.
As a result, many children experience trauma, anxiety, and reduced opportunities for normal childhood development. Safe recreational spaces and structured psychosocial support are limited, making community-based interventions essential.
Within this context, Madaa Creative Centre (MCC), a Palestinian non-profit established in 2007 in Silwan, works to promote resilience, protection, and empowerment for marginalised groups, including children, through integrated community programs including psychosocial support, education, and cultural activities.
Your support means everything.
Holy Land Trust
The Holy Land Trust is a Palestinian non-profit organisation founded in 1998 that works to strengthen the resilience, dignity, and wellbeing of Palestinians.
We are delighted to be supporting their project with Al-Harah Theatre as part of the Palestine International Theatre Festival for Children, taking place in October 2026. Through theatre, creativity and play, the festival will provide children with opportunities for expression, imagination and connection.
None of this would be possible without the remarkable fundraising efforts of Jean, a dedicated supporter of Palestine. Jean's commitment and generosity are helping to create meaningful opportunities for children and young people, and we are deeply grateful for her support.
Thank you, Jean — your passion, kindness and determination are truly inspiring.
Engaging and inspiring more than 10,000 children and their families
Promoting psychological and emotional well-being of children through a range of activities
Supporting resilience, creativity and self-expression amongst Palestinian children and youths
Supporting Creativity, Resilience and Hope
Wadi Hilweh
We are now fundraising to refurbish a playground at the Wadi Hilweh Park, near Silwan in East Jerusalem. It is surrounded by residential areas, two schools, two community centres, and a kindergarten, making it easily accessible for the local community.
In addition to the playground they would love a stage for performances. Will you help us reach our target of £20,000?
Past Projects
East Jerusalem
Silwan
Though small in area, the Maada Creative Centre, in Jerusalem’s Silwan neighbourhood, is making a big impact. This vibrant community hub is dedicated to providing a safe, supportive, and nurturing space where children can thrive. We're proud to have funded their latest project—a refurbished playground that’s already bringing joy and laughter, and a safe haven, to the community's children.
The West Bank
Burin
In the West Bank village of Burin, a playground once left incomplete now stands ready to bring joy, thanks to PPP’s support. Despite the ongoing conflict, we're thrilled to announce that the play equipment, pictured left, has been successfully installed. When it is safe to do so, we look forward to adding more equipment, especially for the youngest children, so they can continue to enjoy a safe space to play and use their imagination.
Talitha Kumi
Talitha Kumi school, near Bethlehem, has over 800 students. The younger children had a place to play, but there was nothing for older students so we are pleased to have worked alongside Playgrounds for Palestine USA to provide an outdoor gym to give teenagers a place to play and improve their fitness levels. Later, we were able to add a roof to the structure, providing shelter when it rains. The playground is open to both students at the school and the surrounding Bethlehem community.
Al-Shurooq School for the Blind
This specialist playground is, we think, the first sensory playground in Palestine, replacing an old unsafe playground which was dangerous for children with little or no sight. Most of the children at the school have problems in their posture, balance and coordination and safe play helps all these things develop. All play equipment was chosen carefully to ensure safety whilst maximising enjoyment. The shade, which was added at a later date, is durable, and means the playground can be used throughout the year.
Kobar
The first playground we funded in 2018, working with Playgrounds for Palestine USA, is in the village of Kobar in the northern West Bank, 13 kilometres northwest of Ramallah. About 3500 people live there: 60% of whom are aged 15 or younger. The lack of recreational facilities, parks and open space in the village was a worry: children tended to play tag or football in the streets which endangered their lives. The village council was actively involved in installing the new playground, and has responsibility for maintaining it.
Gaza
Bani Suhaila
In collaboration with PfP in America and the Bani Suhaila community, we proudly supported the creation of a public playground in this Gaza town. We funded new play equipment and a soccer field, giving children a safe space to have fun and stay active. Additionally, we provided crucial support for foundational electrical and plumbing work, as well as constructing a retainer wall to secure the property for the community’s future.
Aheba El Tefel
The playground at Aheba El Tefel Kindergarten was constructed in 2018; its name translates to "The Love of Children". It was wonderful to see video and photos of young children and their families enjoying the new facilities.
Nawa, Deir-el-Balah
Nawa is a small village situated in the central region of the Gaza Strip. In 2018, a playground was built for the local kindergarten, providing a safe and fun space for young children to play and enjoy their early childhood.
Sadly, we assume all the Gaza playgrounds we have supported building have now been destroyed and we hope for the wellbeing and safety of the children who once played there. We look forward to helping to provide opportunities for children in Gaza to play with happiness and safety once again.
Lebanon
Burj Al Shama
This playground is 3km from the city of Tyre in south Lebanon, hosting Palestinian and Syrian refugees. The community has faced many challenges, including water shortages and tensions and violence between Israel and various groups in the region. Built in 2019, the playground provides a much-needed space for children to play, learn, and enjoy their childhood despite the difficult circumstances around them.
Rashidieh Refugee Camp
This playground complex is the result of another collaborative effort between us and our previous partners, PfP in America. Amidst the challenges faced by the camp, this beautiful public park in the Tyre region of southern Lebanon became a symbol of hope and resilience. Each of the four separate playgrounds is designed to cater to the needs of different age groups, all within a larger recreational complex that serves thousands of children from the camp and surrounding areas.