Introduction
Active outdoor play is crucial for children’s physical health, well-being, and social development. Yet, many children growing up in underserved communities have limited access to safe and engaging outdoor play due to socioeconomic barriers.
B-Challenged is a European research project working to change this.
By combining child-centered participatory action research with systems dynamics, the project co-creates solutions that support outdoor play – developed together with children and local stakeholders, not just for them.
Children are involved as co-researchers and co-designers, ensuring that their perspectives and everyday experiences shape the project’s outcomes. They are experts in their own lives and key actors in building healthier, more active communities.
B-Challenged is carried out in five European countries: Denmark, Germany, Poland, Spain, and the Netherlands. In Denmark, the B-Challenged project is taking place at a public school in Rudkøbing, Langeland, where approx. 55 fifth graders (ages 10-11) are directly involved in shaping the work.
From understanding the problem to shaping real-world solutions
From January to April 2025, the children participated in 14 sessions during school hours as part of the project’s first phase. Here, the children acted as co-researchers, identifying barriers and facilitators for outdoor play in their local neighborhoods. These insights were the foundation for the second phase from September to December 2025, which consisted of 10 co-creation sessions.
While phase 1 focused on systematic data collection using valid research methods, phase 2 was more creative and imaginative. The children were co-designers and used tools from classic idea generation and project management, such as:
- Concretizing problems
- Brainstorming and generating ideas for solutions
- Selecting one idea to develop further
- Exploring feasibility, impact, sustainability, and realism
- Creating prototypes to visualize their concepts
This shift empowered children to turn research insights into action and create real-world solutions.
Presenting ideas to real-world decision-makers
To mark the end of phase 2, the children hosted an event inspired by the concept of ‘Dragen’s Den’. They presented their wishes, concepts, and prototypes to local stakeholders – ranging from the school leader to the chair of the local tennis club. The purpose of the event was to:
- Practice presentation skills
- Create a dialogue between children and stakeholders about the proposed ideas
- Refine and strengthen the concepts for potential future implementation
This final step gave the children a platform to share their visions and receive constructive feedback, bridging the gap between imagination and real-world possibilities.
Children know best
When it comes to play behavior, children are the true experts. They understand what makes a space inviting, what motivates them to go outside, and what activities compete with outdoor play – a logic that is often invisible to adults.
Adults, on the other hand, bring knowledge about broader possibilities and constraints that extend beyond the lived experiences of children. The intersection of these perspectives is where relevant and impactful solutions emerge.
With the right framing, children can navigate complex systems and design meaningful solutions. However, this doesn’t happen automatically. Facilitators play a crucial role in translating complexity into simple, actionable steps, asking the right questions, and keeping the group focused on the goal. Continuous guidance ensures that creativity remains productive and aligned with the project’s purpose.
Lessons learned from working with children
As facilitators in B-Challenged, we’ve learned to trust the process – difficulty doesn’t mean failure. Often, the most challenging moments lead to the most valuable outcomes. Combined with fun and engaging activities, great ideas emerge.
We believe the children gained skills that extend far beyond this project, such as:
- Collaboration with peers
- Systems thinking and understanding complexity
- Argumentation and formulating convincing points for adults and peers
- Time management
- Have confidence in own ideas
- Presentation skills
Above all, they experienced empowerment and realized that their voices and ideas can shape the world around them.
As part of the World Playground Research Institute, Ida Lousen and Tine Roest Mogensen are facilitators in the Danish segment of B-Challenged. The project is funded by ERA4Health and Innovation Fund Denmark.
