Campaigners ‘delighted’ at decision to reopen playgrounds
The Association of Play Industries (API) has welcomed the news that playgrounds in England are to reopen.Read more
‘Little evidence’ that outdoor play increases COVID-19 risk to children – report
Outdoor play campaigners say new evidence about the impact of COVID-19 on children’s health adds weight to calls to open up England’s playgrounds.Read more
I redesigned a school playground for my PhD – and the children got better marks learning outside
The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted the education of at least 1.5 billion school students. That’s more than 90 per cent of the world’s children. Although many schools in the west, along with private schools in...Read more
Neighbourhood-based kids’ friendships make a comeback
As the weather has warmed in my Midwestern town, my neighbourhood is full of children on bicycles pretending to be riding through the Wild West. I can’t walk down the sidewalk without stepping on chalk...Read more
Government ‘must set out timetable for reopening playgrounds’
Outdoor play campaigners in the UK have written to the Prime Minister Boris Johnson urging him to set out when and how public playgrounds will be reopened.Read more
Play ‘completely overlooked’ in UK lockdown exit strategy
Where is play in the UK lockdown relaxation strategy? That’s the question from the Association of Play Industries (API) following publication of the government’s ‘roadmap’ to recovery.Read more
Scotland’s outdoor play initiative has lessons for the rest of the world
As Scotland considers the eventual re-opening of schools and non-emergency child-care facilities as the threat of coronavirus recedes, early childhood advocates are eagerly anticipating a now-delayed rollout of an important social policy experiment.Read more
World Urban Park webinar today on the benefits of outdoor play webinar
Inspiring ideas for children’s play is the theme of a free webinar today, Wednesday 6 May, organised by the open spaces campaigning body, World Urban Parks.Read more
Coronavirus lockdown gives a chance to ‘correct under-investment’ in play provision
The head of a leading children’s UK play industry body hopes the right of youngsters to free play provision will be financially preserved once the corona pandemic has subsided.Read more
Bernard van Leer Foundation: Share your ideas for children and families
The head of the Bernard van Leer Foundation has asked for help in sharing ideas for supporting families and toddlers across the world during the coronavirus lockdown.Read more
Belgian cities’ games packages for vulnerable kids in lockdown
While the home isolation measures caused by coronavirus lockdowns take their toll on parents worldwide, cities in Belgium’s Flanders region are going the extra mile to keep children’s minds active by providing free games kits...Read more
Why working families need parks and playgrounds more than ever
Are you a parent who is struggling to find time to be with your child and help them grow? Our newly published research shows neighbourhood parks, and playgrounds in particular, provide valuable and unique opportunities...Read more
Dutch cities giving disabled children equal access to outdoor play
Councillors in the Dutch city of Breda are adding their weight to a national campaign to give equal opportunities for outdoor play to children with disabilities. Erwin Hoek, a councillor with the PvdA party, has written...Read more
No need to give up on crowded cities – we can make density so much better
The idea that we should decentralise our population has come up many times in Australia. Recently, the National Farmers’ Federation president pushed the notion, calling for a shift to the regions. And the premise is...Read more