A sister programme to the infants' series Play School, it was aimed at slightly older children.
The first eight series were shot in a studio, usually at BBC Television Centre, London, but certain episodes were recorded in Bristol or Manchester.
The musical director was Jonathan Cohen on piano, with Spike Heatley on double bass and Alan Rushton on drums, often with accomplished guest musicians such as trombonist George Chisholm.
Play Away presenters such as Jeremy Irons, Julie Covington, Anita Dobson, Tony Robinson and Alex Norton went on to greater prominence in related fields.
According to the Kaleidoscope Children's Guide and the Lost Shows website, much of this series is no longer in the archives.