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Councils backing adventurous play

27 May, 2009 | By Robin Latchem

Councils are putting adventure back into the nation’s playtimes - and parents are being urged to shake off a ‘cotton-wool culture’ and let children be children.

Research by the Local Government Association has found that councils across England are reinventing traditional playtime by building or refurbishing more than 3,500 playgrounds by 2011, and are including an increasing amount of adventure equipment.

Council-run holiday playschemes are part of the trend, offering activities such as circus skills, BMX biking and surfing.

We do our youngsters no favours by wrapping them up in cotton-wool
Margaret Eaton

Margaret Eaton, the chair of the LGA, said: “Children playing outside - getting grass stains on their clothes, twigs in their hair and grazing their knees - is a fundamental part of growing up.

“Children need the opportunity to have adventures and let their imaginations run free, and it’s fantastic that councils are helping provide so many places where that can happen.

“Crucially, going to a playground or a park is free. Families don’t have to spend a fortune on a day at a theme park for children to enjoy some thrills and spills.

“We do our youngsters no favours by wrapping them up in cotton-wool, which can prevent them from developing skills they’ll need in their adult life.”

Peter Cornall, head of leisure safety at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said: “Children thrive on adventure and providing good playgrounds should also discourage them from seeking out excitement in places such as construction sites, derelict buildings and railway lines where the hazards are far greater.”