A recent study by researchers from the World Playground Research Institute highlights the critical role of playgrounds in supporting children’s health and development, urging action to create more accessible play areas.
Children today spend significantly less time playing outdoors compared to previous generations (1, 2, 3). In the UK, for instance, only 27% of children play outside regularly (4). This decline in outdoor play is concerning because active play is crucial for children’s physical, social, and mental development. It plays a vital role in their overall health and happiness.
The reduction in outdoor play isn’t due to a single cause, but one major factor is the decreasing availability of safe and accessible play spaces. For example, while playing on residential streets was once common, many parents today no longer consider these areas safe for their children.
Playgrounds are widely recognized as safe spaces for children to play, and they are often the primary outdoor play areas for many kids. However, a recent study from the UK revealed that 31% of children under the age of nine do not have access to a playground near their homes (5).
New Evidence Available
Researchers from the World Playground Research Institute are continuously working to address this issue by sharing crucial evidence that can help policymakers and city planners prioritize playground investments. Jasper Schipperijn, one of the authors of the scoping review, explains about the importance of doing this work:
By compiling and analyzing the available scientific evidence in a new scoping review, we aim to demonstrate the health benefits of playgrounds, making it easier to advocate for the creation and maintenance of these essential play spaces.
Comprehensive Overview of the Benefits of Playgrounds
In our scoping review, we assessed over 47,000 titles and abstracts of peer-reviewed papers published between January 2000 and November 2023. From this extensive search, data from 247 publications were included to create a comprehensive overview of the benefits of playgrounds for children’s physical, mental, and social health.
This research highlights the importance of investing in playgrounds to ensure that all children have access to safe and supportive environments where they can play, grow, and thrive, Jasper Schipperijn explains.
Want to know more?
Looking for key arguments to advocate for better playgrounds?
Check out our brief for an accessible and easy-to-share overview:
Or read the full article here (open access):
