Children who ‘take risks’ and play adventurously have better mental health – study
Children who spend more time playing adventurously have lower symptoms of anxiety and depression, and were happier over the first Covid-19 lockdown, according to new research. A study led by the University of Exeter asked parents...Read more
Indian city opens the country’s first ‘sensory park’ for children
The Indian city of Bhubaneswar is now home to what is thought to be the country’s first sensory park for children with special needs.Read more
Playtime at school: ‘Don’t neglect recess’, says Michigan coalition
Reading, writing, and ’rithmetic are important, but one group of educators and business leaders in Michigan, USA, wants to make sure schools don’t forget about a fourth R: recess.Read more
Four reasons why children need to be more active in school playgrounds, and what’s stopping them
School breaktimes might be assumed to be the most active period in a child’s school day. The fanciful notion that when the school ‘bell’ rings children flood the playground, running, jumping and actively playing with...Read more
Sponge parks and vertical gardens – how cities are using nature to overcome extreme weather
In January 2021, Storm Christoph pummelled the United Kingdom with heavy rains and the threat of unmanageable runoff. But in flood-prone Manchester, a newly-developed park was proving its worth. West Gorton Park had ‘drunk’ the rainwater,...Read more
Including Disabled Children in Play Provision
Leading UK play charities and industry bodies are calling on local authorities to create accessible and inclusive child play spaces – and by doing so upholding every child’s right and need to play.Read more
Join us at the Cascais Child in the City International Seminar
Experts in urban planning, play, education and children’s rights will be sharing their experiences at our forthcoming Child in the City International Seminar.Read more
Northern Ireland politicians urged to ‘champion play for children’
Northern Ireland’s lead body for the development and promotion of children and young people’s play has called for the country’s prospective leaders to ‘champion play for children’. Read more
The dream of the future playground
Denser cities and fewer green areas. What is left for the children when the cityscape changes? That is an important element in the architecture education at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden, but also the...Read more
Play campaigners demand government ‘levels up’ access for children
The Association of Play Industries (API) says access to public play spaces in UK cities and towns is ‘unfair and unequal’, and wants government action to level up children’s opportunities for play.Read more
Playing outside: who, where and what?
Fortunately, more and more attention is being paid to a play-friendly public space in both research and policy. Yet there is still little insight into very basic questions. For example, do boys play more outside than...Read more
Donation sparks $250 million fundraising plan to level up play opportunities across USA
KABOOM!, the USA-based play equality champion, has launched its ’25 in 5′ initiative, a $250 million dollar fundraising plan towards achieving play space equality across the country.Read more
Pandemic play experiences – sign up for The Play Observatory’s online seminar
The Play Observatory, a UK-based project focusing on children’s play during COVID and beyond, still has places available for a free online seminar later this month.Read more
Street Tape Games: Playing with Social Distancing
Artists Helen Kwok and Chad Toprak discuss Street Tape Games, playable art installations designed around social distancing.Read more