This paper argues that play is an important and fundamental educational process and that the child's right to play should be respected. The paper also comments on the 1990 Tokyo International Conference on the Child's Right to Play. Several issues related to children's play, both in and out of school, are discussed. The focus is on the state of children and play in New Zealand, but examples from several other countries are also provided. The issues discussed concern: (1) the space reserved for children's play; (2) the importance of playmates in the process of learning social skills; (3) the role of adults in children's play; (4) the child's right to play in safety; (5) dangers of crossing the street in traffic; (6) sexual abuse; (7) play as a therapeutic process for sick or hospitalized children; (8) toy-lending libraries; (9) concerns about war toys; (10) racism and sex stereotyping; (11) computer games; and (12) the importance of creative play. (GLR)