Join in the fun this Playday

 

Playday, the national day for play is coming to Crowcombe on Wednesday 3 August. Celebrations, giving families the opportunity to get outdoors and play, will be held at Crowcombe Village Hall & Play Area with highlights including circus skills, messy play, physical play, sports, games, woodland play, arts and crafts, music and lots, lots more...

The event is one of hundreds being held nationwide to celebrate Playday 2011. Playday is a national awareness raising campaign coordinated by Play England, and this year supported by Savlon. The campaign aims to highlight unprecedented restrictions on children’s opportunities to play, and encourages action so that children can play out more.

Research released to support the campaign shows activities, which for parents were part of growing up, seem to be in danger of disappearing:

·        - 42 per cent of children report they have never made a daisy chain

·        - 32 per cent have never climbed a tree

·       - A quarter of children today have never had the simple pleasure of rolling down a hill

·       - 47 per cent of adults built dens every week as a child, yet 29 per cent of today’s children say they have never built a den at all

·         - A third of children have never played hopscotch

·         - One in ten children have never ridden a bike

Catherine Prisk, Co-Director of Play England, said: “Playing outside, getting muddy, climbing trees and making daisy chains are simple pleasures that many of today’s children are missing out on. Play - outside and indoors - is essential for children's health, well-being and happiness now, and is also important for their future development, to build vital life and social skills. It’s important that we overcome the barriers to outdoor play by addressing parents’ safety concerns, protecting and making the most of outdoor spaces in our communities and acknowledging the pressures on family time. For families, simply building a little time to play in the fresh air every day is a great start.”

Over a third of parents claim their fondest memories of play were making up their own games, proof that outdoor play doesn’t need to be costly or structured.  To take the first step, get out and play on Playday. Visit www.playday.org.uk for details.