There is no escaping the fact that outdoor play among children in England has plummeted, regularly quoted at an alarming 50% fall over the past 20 years. Inadequate criminal justice responses, combined with increased exposure to violence have played key roles in this shocking development. Traffic-dominated streets, crime-related fears, and unwelcoming public spaces push young people out. A recent report from the Centre for Young Lives highlights the need for a national Play Strategy to address these issues and promote outdoor activities for children.
The report highlights a shocking fall in the number of playgrounds across England. Since 2012, more than 400 playgrounds have shuttered their doors for good. Public spaces for play are increasingly hard to come by, with the loss of park spaces exacerbated by shrinking park budgets. Consequently, kids end up in neighborhoods where they don’t have safe places to play outside.
Baroness Anne Longfield, associated with the Centre for Young Lives think tank, emphasized the urgency of implementing strategic measures to foster play opportunities. The report makes a clear recommendation for an annual £125 million play fund to support such initiatives. It further recommends naming a minister specifically charged with coordinating these efforts across government. Together, these proposals would make way for more outdoor play and get us closer to a reality where all children can live active and healthy lifestyles.
School has reduced the amount of break time students are getting, adding to the problem. In 1995, primary young kids liked recesses about 23 minutes longer than they get now. This reduction in play time is a major factor in children’s lack of access to the physical activity they need, especially during these critical developmental years. While schools play an essential role in creating opportunities for outdoor play, many are currently caught in a crunch of competing priorities, resources, and time.
In Blackpool, there’s been the Better Start initiative, which has fought a good fight for 10 years. They’ve turned the city’s neglected parks and green spaces into flourishing communities where children and families want to spend time. This effort exemplifies how community-driven projects can reinvigorate interest in outdoor play and provide safe areas for children to engage with their peers.
St Ambrose Catholic Academy in Liverpool has already successfully begun to implement measures to improve student well-being. They do promise each student, each day, an hour of good play! Headteacher Tracy Moorcroft has highlighted the benefits of this much-loved, protected play time. Beyond that, it promotes civic resilience, teamwork, cooperation, and communication between students. These efforts highlight how intentional unstructured outdoor play is a key ingredient for fostering social skills and emotional health.
The combination of increased traffic, concerns over safety, and a lack of accessible public spaces has created a challenging environment for outdoor play in England. Crime and injury In surveys, a majority of parents cite crime and injury as reasons for not letting their kids play outdoors. This fear tends to keep children indoors more, contributing to dangerous health effects of a generally sedentary lifestyle.
Reducing risk for children, encouraging child development Outdoor play should be a top priority. Through collaboration, stakeholders can design environments that are safe, fun, and welcoming for young people to thrive. The proposed national Play Strategy could provide a framework for integrating play into urban planning, school policies, and community initiatives.
