Playing Out

Who's with us?

Any organisation that exists to support children cannot remain silent in the face of this gen*cide. Our Government must end its shameful complicity and take meaningful action against Isr*el right now. @Keir_Starmer @DavidLammy #StopKillingChildren

‘Children in England growing up ‘sedentary, scrolling and alone’, say experts’ - @Guardian 📰 theguardian.com/society/2025/j… The government should ban “no ball games” signs, raise the digital age of consent to 16, restore play to the education system and put in place a statutory “play sufficiency duty” for local authorities, say the panel, who are urgently calling for a cross-departmental national play strategy backed by an annual £125m of funding. The experts leading the Raising the Nation Play Commission report, the entrepreneur @Paul_Lindley and former children’s commissioner @AnneLongfield, say that failure to provide children with the spaces they need outside the home is leading to a huge loss of outdoor play and independence. The commission brought together 19 experts, from doctors to play campaigners, to act as commissioners and then held a series of evidence sessions hearing from children, parents and professionals around the country. Full report: 📖 centreforyounglives.org.uk/news-centre/ev… From traffic-dominated streets to the huge decline in youth clubs and loss of funds for playgrounds, experts pointed to the decline in neighbourhood spaces where children could actually play freely. @IngridSkeels, co-director of @PlayingOut, was one of the 19 commissioners and has spent 15 years campaigning for children to have safer streets to play on. “The findings here confirm what we have been warning for years – children are being driven indoors by a lack of safe spaces to play, move and socialise freely. We can’t just blame overprotective parents and screens – we have to make the outside world a place children can play in real life. It’s brilliant to have this in-depth, rigorous report confirm what we have heard from families for years, now it’s time for action.” #EverythingToPlayFor #PlayCommission #NationalPlayStrategy #PlaySufficiency #ItAllStartsWithPlay #KnowBallGames #RightToPlay #UNCRC #Article31

Bristol's @KidicalMass ride last Saturday organised with @playingout was great fun for all. Thanks to everyone who joined us, all our safety stewards & parents for giving permission for us to make this cool film.

Did you miss the Bristol @KidicalMass last weekend organised by @BristolCycling and @PlayingOut ? Here is a great video youtube.com/watch?v=QLtA9c… Hopefully they'll organise another.

🚸Join us on Friday 12 September to hear from experts, connect with others and identify next steps for creating safer streets for children's active travel and play. @playingout @salawatson Get your free tickets here >> bit.ly/4ev4XMe

'No Ball Games' signs might as well say 'No Children'. We are proud to join forces with @LondonSport @PlayEngland and @PlayingOut on the #MoreBallGames campaign. Together we aim to kick these anti-child artefacts into history & welcome play back to places where families live!

The @APPGCW is asking "Who is currently prevented from enjoying the full benefits of active travel and why"? Deadline this Monday. Our response will point out the particular impact of unsafe streets for children. Please respond even briefly if you can! appgcw.org/2024/11/12/act…

It was wonderful to hear @IanByrneMP talking about the importance of playing out yesterday. "Looking back, we realised how lucky we were. We didn't have two ha'pennies to rub together but we had freedom and green spaces, and we were healthy, and I absolutely adored it". 🙏

Our report is clear: it's time to prioritise play! - Develop a national play strategy - Embed Playful Principles in housing and development design guidance - Provide safe, accessible places to play through housing, street, park and neighbourhood design tcpa.org.uk/prioritise-pla…

We’re on our way to the House of Lords to help launch this crucial report. A huge opportunity for Govt to turn the child health crisis around by creating environments that enable them to be outside near home - active, happy and part of their communities.

It’s not the scrapes, bumps and bruises from risky play that most parents are concerned about. It’s the very real danger of being hit and killed by a car. That’s what’s stopping children from having the freedom, adventure and free play they once had (and still need).

⚡️Is this a heroic event? Cycling with 3 kids: some may say brave, others would say stupid. It should be neither. #CyclingToSchool should be completely normal, safe and for everyone More infrastructure and #SaferRoads needed to make this possible #StreetsForKids #SchoolStreets

Last week, we held a symposium at the @RCPCHtweets that explored the interconnectedness of children’s play, health, and healthcare, through the lens of public policy. 👉 Hear from our Head of Policy Adrian, who shares his thoughts on the day: ow.ly/ftLs50TI0IJ

Pavement parking makes it difficult and dangerous for children to be outside and get around. We are proud of ⁦@BristolCouncil⁩ for leading the way on this. theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/o…

Well done to @BpoolCouncil for supporting and promoting play streets - they're doing an amazing job, and the benefits of #PlayingOut to children's health and social connections are being experienced by families and communities across the city ❤️👏

It's easy to transform residential streets into #playfulspaces for neighbours to get together. Why not try it out on your road this #CarFreeDay? Apply to your council asap, contact us for more info & free spacehoppers! @SustransLondon @MayorofLondon londonplaystreets.org.uk/car-free-day-2…

"If you grew up in the 70s and 80s or lived on a quiet street, you might recall the simple joy of playing out - gathering with friends to turn any available space into a makeshift cricket pitch or a playground." Safe space to #PlayOut is crucial for sport! ecb.co.uk/news/4081694/p…

We are excited to be collaborating with some brilliant people, pushing for national policy change that would enable all children to play out every day. Watch this space. tcpa.org.uk/creating-place… @theTCPA @FieldsInTrust @timrgill @annelongfield

Calling all cricket lovers! Remember using sticks for stumps or chalking a crease? We’re supporting the @ECB_cricket's campaign to help more children play cricket, wherever they live. @Sport_England @YouthSportTrust @whysportsmedia @Womeninsport_uk