A new report, Fun and Freedom, looked at how local authorities get views on play from children and young people, and whether these views were taken on board when developing local play strategies.
The report found children wanted opportunities to engage in outdoor play, and freedom, physical activity and areas to socialise with friends were the most important elements of good play provision.
However, barriers to play included traffic, bullying, stranger danger, racism and negative adult attitudes such as areas with "No Ball Games" signs.
The single most common barrier to play was physical distance from play areas, and this was a particular problem for disabled children.
Sir Al Aynsley-Green, Children's Commissioner for England, said: "After too many years of neglect, play is finally starting to get the attention it deserves. More importantly, children and young people now have a say about where they play and how spaces should be designed to meet their needs."
The report was carried out alongside Play England and published to coincide with the end of the government's consultation on the play strategy.
Register Now to Continue Reading
Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's Included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector
Already have an account? Sign in here
