Play experts are demanding a ban on no ball games signs to encourage outdoor play and reduce children’s screen time. A new report warns that England’s anti-play culture is forcing kids indoors and onto digital devices. The Raising the Nation Play Commission found outdoor play has dropped by 50% in a generation due to traffic-heavy streets, safety fears, and unwelcoming public spaces.
The commission wants a national Play Strategy for England. Key recommendations include banning “no ball games signs” and updating planning rules to consult children on new developments. Schools should also protect break times and stop punishing bad behavior by taking away playtime.
Paul Lindley, chair of the commission, says England makes play difficult for kids. He argues communities must reverse the growing intolerance toward children playing outside. In London alone, over 7,000 signs restrict play for half a million children. Some councils are already removing these restrictions.
For parents like Samantha in Blackpool, accessible playgrounds are crucial. Her four-year-old son Chester needs spaces where he can play freely without being told no. “It’s free, and he doesn’t have to worry about being stopped,” she says. However, over 400 playgrounds have closed in England since 2012, and park budgets keep shrinking.
Blackpool Better Start has been revamping underused parks to create safe play areas. Director Clare Law says families need spaces where they feel ownership. Free play sessions in local parks encourage parents to join in, something the commission supports.
School break times have shortened dramatically since 1995. The commission wants guaranteed playtime during breaks. At St Ambrose Catholic Academy in Liverpool, students get an hour of structured play daily. Headteacher Tracy Moorcroft says play builds resilience and teamwork.
However, not all schools support “always-active” uniforms. Moorcroft prefers traditional dress but ensures kids have proper outdoor gear. Pepe Di’Iasio of the Association of School and College Leaders warns against overly rigid play rules that could disrupt academics.
Wales and Scotland already require local authorities to provide play opportunities. The commission wants England to follow suit with a £125m annual play budget. Baroness Anne Longfield says the report offers a blueprint to combat screen addiction through play.
A government spokesperson highlighted investments in sports facilities and greener school spaces. New online safety laws will also protect kids from harmful content starting in July. But campaigners insist more must be done to remove no ball games signs and prioritize play.
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