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50 Things is underpinned by research findings about the best ways to help children have a great start to life. Although the inspiration for the activities within 50 Things to Do came from parents and our community, we worked with early education, health and language experts to make sure the content was supported by research and evidence.
We evaluate the work of 50 Things all the time, asking parents and practitioners questions, and developing content to make sure all children and families benefit from our approach.
Have a look at our Theory of Change and 2023 Impact Report for more information.
Christian Bunting
50 Things to Do Director
Our Research, Impact and Evidence
Case for Support
See why play is essential in the first 1000 days and how 50 Things to Do answers the growing challenges facing young children's development.
Impact Report 2023
Read our fifth-birthday Impact Report, setting out five years of evidence on engagement, parental confidence and children's outcomes.
Theory of Change
Discover how our Theory of Change maps the journey from playful home learning to better outcomes and improved life chances for children.
Call for Evidence
Read our Play Commission response, written with the Centre for Young Lives, making the case to prioritise children's play in policy.
Parents as Partners Project Yearly Report
Follow our three-year Parents as Partners study in Bradford, exploring how 50 Things strengthens practitioner–parent relationships and home learning.
50 Things to Do - Evidence Base
Explore the research base behind 50 Things, from the EEF Toolkit to Born in Bradford, showing why play and parental engagement shape early development.
Our Case Studies
Glasgow School for Business and Society
How Glasgow Caledonian University's poverty research unit recognised 50 Things as a validated approach to mitigating child poverty through low-cost, accessible play.
Case Study - Working with the Roma Community
How 50 Things works with Roma families at St Edmund's Nursery, Bradford, through trusted practitioners and play-based home learning.
Sheffield Case Study
How Sheffield brought its 50 Things launch forward to support families through the first Covid-19 lockdown.
Data Science (CAER partnership)
How our partnership with CAER and Born in Bradford uses world-class data science to evidence what works in the early years.
Working in Partnership (Kirklees)
How Kirklees reached a diverse district through 50 Things ambassadors, community networks and work with looked-after children.
Creating Opportunities (Leeds)
How Leeds wove 50 Things into its child-friendly city vision through Baby Week, libraries and strong partnerships.
Case Study - A Parent's Perspective
Parent and teaching assistant Carrie Priestley on how 50 Things shaped life at home and now leads her Bradford school.
A Strategic Perspective (Wakefield)
How Wakefield delivered a strategic, partner-led 50 Things launch during Covid-19, building momentum across the district.
A Joined-Up Approach
(East Sussex)
How East Sussex combined a 300-strong launch with targeted social advertising to reach over half a million people.
A Universal Approach (Calderdale)
How Calderdale took a universal, population-wide approach to school readiness through 50 Things.
Don't just take our word for it...
See below what our Ambassadors have to say about 50 Things to Do!
Dr William Bird
GP and founder of Intelligent Health
“As a GP, I can't make a child healthy, like you can, I can treat disease, give vaccinations, but I can't set a child's brain, body and immunity in a resilient way, for the rest of their life. That's what 50 Things to Do can do."
Professor Mark Mon-Williams
Director of the Centre for Applied Education Research
"There is a huge amount of evidence that shows the fun activities encouraged by 50 Things will literally ensure children enjoy longer healthier lives. This is why all of us at the Centre for Applied Education Research are passionate advocates of 50 Things, and why we support the team in continually evaluating and improving their approach so that every child across the UK can thrive."
Sue Atkins
Television Presenter and Parenting Coach
"The wonderful 50 Things to Do Before You're Five initiative is inspiring. It's more than a list - it's a movement to reclaim curiosity, joy and connection in early childhood."
Hear what Sue has to say about 50 Things to Do Before You're Five!