New figures for Playday 2008 reveal children deprived of adventurous play

4 August 2008

Figures released today for Playday 2008 show that children are facing serious restrictions to their opportunities for adventurous play.

An ICM survey commissioned by Play England for Playday shows that half of children (51%) aged 7-12 years are not allowed to climb a tree without adult supervision and half (49%) also report that they have been stopped from climbing trees because it was considered to be too dangerous.

The research also finds a change in the places where children and young people today experience adventurous and challenging play. As children, 70% of adults enjoyed most of their adventures in natural outdoor environments. This compares with only 29% of children today as both the space and the freedom to roam has dramatically declined in recent years. Today, children’s experiences of adventure are confined to designated areas such as playgrounds (56%), their homes (48%) or theme parks (44%).

Read the more about the research and campaign at www.playday.org.uk

Playday, this year supported by Persil, is the annual celebration of children’s right to play and takes place on Wednesday 6 August 2008. This year’s theme – Give us a go! calls for a rethink of our risk-averse culture of banning conkers in the playground and outlawing tree climbing. The campaign highlights the need for children to experience risky and challenging play in order to ensure they are able to manage risk in their daily lives.

‘Playing is an essential part of growing up,’ said Adrian Voce, Director of Play England. ‘Starting from their earliest play experiences, children both need and want to push their boundaries in order to explore their limits and develop their abilities. Children would never learn to walk, climb stairs or ride a bicycle unless they were strongly motivated to respond to challenges – but we must accept that these things inevitably involve an element risk.

‘Adventurous play that both challenges and excites children helps instil critical life skills. Constantly wrapping children in cotton wool can leave them ill equipped to deal with stressful or challenging situations they might encounter later in life.’

Hundreds of fantastic events will be taking place across the UK to celebrate Playday. In honour of this year’s theme, local communities will be organising adventurous play opportunities, such as go-kart building, assault courses and tree climbing.

To mark Playday, Play England has published a body of research, which looks benefits and challenges of enabling children to manage their own risks whilst playing.

Play England will also publish top tips to help inspire children to engage in adventurous play outside their home and within their community.

This year Playday is pleased to announce that Persil is supporting the campaign as part of their Every Child Has The Right campaign.

Notes for editors:

1. The Playday survey was carried out by ICM Research. Between 24 June–9 July 2008, they interviewed a random sample of 1000 children and young people aged 7–16 across the UK by telephone. Between 27-29 June 2008, ICM Research also conducted phone interviews with a random sample of 1032 adults aged 18 and older. Interviews were conducted across the UK and the results have been weighted to the profile of all adults. ICM is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules. Further information at http://www.icmresearch.co.uk/

2. To arrange an interview with a Playday expert, find information on local Playday events, or to get good practice case studies from across the UK, call Clare Quarrell on 020 7843 6044 / 07721 097033 or email media@ncb.org.uk

3. For further information on specific local Playday events visit the Playday website at http://www.playday.org.uk/

4. Playday is coordinated by Play England, part of NCB, working in partnership with PlayBoard Northern Ireland, Play Scotland and Play Wales. The national campaign involves thousands of children and young people getting out to play at locally organised events. Playday events range from small-scale neighbourhood get-togethers to large-scale public events organised by local authorities and national organisations.

5. Play England promotes excellent free play opportunities for all children and young people. Play England provides advice and support to promote good practice, and works to ensure that the importance of play is recognised by policy makers, planners and the public. Play England is part of NCB and is funded by the Big Lottery Fund. For further information visit http://www.playengland.org.uk/

6. Research to support the campaign will be published on the Playday website – http://www.playday.org.uk/ – on Monday 4 August 2008. Advance copies are available on embargo, on request from the National Children’s Bureau media office: contact Clare Quarrell on 020 7843 6044 or email media@ncb.org.uk.

7. As part of the Every Child Has The Right campaign, Persil is launching the Free Play Initiative 2008 this summer to encourage parents understand the importance of play in childhood. The Persil Free Play Initiative 2008 culminates in the support of Playday on Wednesday 6 August. To find out more about the Persil Free Play Initiative, including lots of hints and tips on fun free play ideas to play both indoors and outdoors visit http://www.persil.com/

For further information on this release contact:
Clare Quarrell, Anna Tombs, Clare Lilley - NCB Media Office
Tel: 020 7843 6044 / 6045 / 6047 / 07721 097033
Email: media@ncb.org.uk