Download PDF - Fair Play For Children

Interesting and fun places to play
“It feels like you are invincible when you are playing outside, like you can do anything.” (Boy, 12 23 )
“We love playing on the monkey bars, we try and beat each other. It is like doing an assault course in
the army. You want to be challenged so that you keep trying and then you feel good when you have
accomplished it.” (Boy, 12 23 )
“Being outside and climbing trees is really exciting; you feel a bit like a bird.” (Girl, 8 23 )
3.12
The vast majority of children enjoy going outside to play. Research for Playday 2006 showed
that 80 per cent of children under 18 surveyed preferred to play outside. In addition, play in
natural spaces is more likely to be perceived by children as free from adult agendas and thus
open to more opportunities for play – allowing children to recognise their independence – and
children often prefer environments with disorder, cover and loose materials. Children enjoy
playing in surroundings which they can manipulate and which develop knowledge of the
natural world. Time to Talk showed a clear consensus that parents want more challenging,
exciting activities and natural play environments that are close to home, and we also know that
parents want sites that strike the right balance between safety and stimulating play.
Copyright: KIDS/Sabrina Aaronovitch
3.13
Government’s new investment in innovative and stimulating local play areas will deliver a
variety of play opportunities to the fullest range of children, with a particular emphasis on the
needs of 8–13 year-olds. Basing investment on thorough local needs analysis will be key.
We want to see sites that encourage high physical activity levels, as well as site designs
that incorporate sustainable refurbishment using natural and durable materials which
encourage children to explore the natural environment. Landscaping is shown to be as just
as effective, if not more, than play equipment in providing spaces where children can use their
23 Plain English Research on Play, Sherbert Research for DCSF and COI, 2008
Fair Play: A consultation on the play strategy
29