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
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
Play Wales – publications for professionals
Play Wales, the national body for children’s play, has this year published a wide variety of guides and resources to help professionals working in and around the children’s play sector.Read more
Australia: ‘Children need playgrounds now, more than ever. We can reduce COVID risk and keep them open’
It’s been a tough 18 months for Australian families and their children. We can’t underestimate the cumulative impact of parent and carer job losses, mental strain, working from home and remote learning. As developmental paediatricians...Read more
Dozens of neglected NYC playgrounds ‘will be revamped’ – Mayor
The Mayor of New York City has set out an extensive plan for revamping dozens of long-neglected closed and dilapitated playgrounds. Bill Blasio said that many planned repairs and new projects had been delayed because of...Read more
Playgrounds designed with accessibility in mind make play fun for every kid
When it comes to providing play opportunities to children with disabilities, not all playgrounds are created equal.Read more
‘Invest in playgrounds to safeguard children’s health’ – report
Investment in the UK’s playgrounds is urgently needed to halt and reverse the alarming decline in their numbers and safeguard children’s mental health, a new parliamentary report argues.Read more
Playgrounds in Wales must now be smoke-free – by law
A new law is now in place that requires playgrounds in Wales to be smoke-free.Read morePlay England: Keep playgrounds open to avoid ‘catastrophic’ effect on children
Play England has written an impassioned open letter to local councils, urging them to keep playgrounds open for the sake of children’s physical and mental health. Read more
Child in the City: News round-up 30/10/2020
Scotland: Families experiencing destitution, isolation and mental health struggles A study by Together, the Scottish Alliance for Children’s Rights, compares the findings of interviews with family support services held in 2013 and findings from interviews with...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
Winter play campaign aims to get kids outdoors
The Association of Play Industries (API) is promoting a new initiative aimed at getting children outdoors and using playgrounds over the winter. It has joined forces with Leyla Preston, founder of online parenting platform Motherhood Diaries...Read more
Decline of public playgrounds ‘pushing children indoors’
Parents are increasingly concerned that a decline in outdoor playgrounds is pushing more children indoors to indulge in screen time, say play campaigners. A survey reveals that the vast majority of parents believe that playgrounds, which...Read more