From @atlasobscura.com - a really insightful article on how #play spaces can shape local areas and childhoods (what child doesn't want to ride a #dragon?) www.atlasobscura.com/articles/sin... #PlaySpaces #neighbourhoods
Dates of pop up events for 0-5s
Great to see pop up events for 0-5's in Oxford city centre starts next week. We need #PlaySpaces in the city!
Children's daily lives are affected mostly by decisions made by parents, teachers and urban planners. Together they influence where, how and how long children play. In recent years, children's outdoor play has declined. For health and pedagogical reasons, it is important that we stimulate outdoor playing. To realize this we need a new approach on public spaces for kids. This approach doesn't start with picking some elements from catalogues of play equipment companies or landscape architects. We should start at the other end by taking into account the bigger picture: the purpose (WHY) and the conditions (HOW) to realize playable cities. Only then, do we know which actions (WHAT) have to be carried out. The purpose is to stimulate outside playing, because it improves the health of kids, enriches their skills and most of all it gives them pleasure (WHY). These higher goals can only be achieved when the right conditions are created (HOW). For example public spaces should be accessible, attractive, challenging, divers and inviting. The different actions and efforts (WHAT) such as design, programming and ordering equipment are a result of these sub goals and not the other way around. In total, I come to 100 measures. Examples of these actions are broad sidewalks, climbing structures, greenery, ground markings, shared spaces and bike racks for kids. The moral of this story: if we want to realize playable cities we have to consider these three aspects (WHY, HOW, WHAT) continuously and collectively.
Let’s make more #childfriendly and #playfriendly districts! This model will give you guidance and inspiration. With 💯measures for stimulating active free play in #cities around the world:
urbanspringtime.blogspot.com/playablecities
#publicspaces #outdoorplay #kids #childfriendlycities #playspaces
Not all #playgrounds are the same. And that's a good thing, because it gives children variety when they play outside. But what was the idea behind these #playspaces? What play value is created here?
#outdoorplay #publicspace #streetphotography
Newly Updated!
Fantasy Garden Play Spaces for Kids and Adults
bit.ly/3ewZrdb via @pragmaticmom
#ReadYourWorld #garden #spring #playspaces #outdoors
