Less Screen Time More Play Time - London - 4th November 2026
Less Screen Time, More Play Time Conference 2026
Join us in London on 4 November to discover why we need to put play back at the heart of early childhood. Learn from leading experts, gain practical skills and help shape the national conversation around screen use in children under five.
Why you need to attend
With screens becoming an ever-present part of daily life for families, the need to protect and promote the world of play in early childhood has never been greater. It’s why 50 Things To Do exists – to support children’s development through fun, practical, play-based experiences.
75%
of 9-month-olds engage in daily screen time
52%
of 3-4 years olds are online 9 hours a week
1 in 5
3-4 year olds have their own smartphone
37%
of 3-5 year olds are using at least one social media platform
Have a voice in the national conversation
Contribute directly to shaping how the UK responds to the challenges posed by the proliferation of screens in early childhood
Gain practical, hands-on skills
Come away with real strategies and screen-free activity ideas you can use immediately at home, in a setting or in a school
Get evidence you can trust
Discover the latest insights into screen use and navigating the digital age in early childhood from leading experts
Connect with a room full of people who get it
Network with practitioners, health professionals, educators and parents who share your commitment to reducing screen time
Speakers and contributors
The 2026 Less Screen Time, More Play conference will bring together some of the biggest names in early childhood. They include:
Professor Sam Wass
Keynote Speaker
Neuroscientist and psychologist from Channel 4’s The Secret Life of 4, 5 and 6 Year olds, translating brain science into practical insights for children’s learning
Guddi Singh
Paediatrician
Paediatrician, broadcaster and creator of BBC Radio 4’s Three Ages of Child, bringing together medicine, storytelling and systems change to improve children’s lives
Jennifer Holly
The Royal Foundation Centre for Early Childhood
Championing research, impact, and collaboration to improve outcomes for babies, young children, and families
Professor Cat Davies
University of Leeds
Leading researcher in children’s language development, early literacy, and evidence-informed early years policy
Rebecca Oberg
Institute for the Early Years
Leads on the strategic direction of 50 Things To Do to achieve a screen-free future for children
Lynette Brock
SchemaPlay Uk
Researcher, author and founder of SchemaPlay, promoting free-flow play for better early years outcomes
Chloe Storr
50 Things to Do Before You're Five
Delivers, manages and oversees the regional programme for 50 Things to Do
Beth Cooper
Playful™
Championing the power of play and creativity to transform spaces, experiences and organisations
Secure Your Place Now
Tap on the button below to get your hands on a ticket to our conference. There’s a limited number so we recommend booking early (you’ll also benefit from an early bird discount).
Sponsor This Event
We have a range of sponsorship options to suit various budgets. If you are interested in sponsoring this event please get in touch below.
When, where & cost
Date: Wednesday 4 November 2026
Time: 9am–4pm
Location: 108 Stamford St, London SE1 9NH
What's included: Registration, lunch & refreshments, exhibitor stalls, full day of keynotes, workshops and panel discussion
Cost
Early Bird: (sold until 15th September) £120
General Admission: £150
Help put play back at the heart of childhood
There is no getting around the fact that young children are spending way more time on screens. But it doesn’t have to be this way. As 50 Things To Do has shown, reprioritising play can help families achieve a better balance and establish strong foundations for lifelong health and wellbeing.Join us and leading experts, practitioners, educators, policymakers and parents this November to learn more about what needs to be done and help shape the future of play today.
About 50 Things to Do
Powered by Birth to 19’s Institute for the Early Years, 50 Things To Do is a groundbreaking national initiative designed to help children have the best start to life through place-based and screen-free playful experiences.For more information or queries, do please get in touch via email.
Thank you
The Impact of Screens
This film, made in collaboration with @Teched-Off, highlights some of the serious harms that clinicians are observing in their daily practice, and academics are concluding in their research, around children’s screen use
These negative impacts on whole-child health are now very significant. It is evidence of safety that we lack, not evidence of harms, and it is now imperative we exercise the precautionary principle and launch an NHS public health campaign to educate and support parents and engage professional colleagues. This film is also an urgent call for a change in legislation to protect our children.
Pricing
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'Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam' -Rebecca Oberg
