Active Play

Both structured and unstructured play are important parts of growing up healthy.  Access to safe, inspiring play spaces contribute profoundly to every child's physical activity levels, sense of well being, growth and development, family cohesion, a sense of community.

Benefits of Playing Your Way to Better Health

• Play is critical to every child's healthy development
• Play fosters gross and fine motor skill, cognitive and emotional development
• Unstructured, open play supports socially inclusive interaction
• A sense of wonder and imagination come from play

Where to Play

• Outside - at a local park, front yard, back yard or patch of garden
• Home - spend at least 30 minutes each day playing, regardless of your age
• School - play and learning go hand in hand

Ideas for Play Environments

• Blog on Playscapes -  the built environment as a playground
• Natural Playgrounds - simple ideas that support a child's connection to nature
• Be Out There Campaign - National Wildlife Federation supports outdoor play
• Play Outside - Tim Gill writes about the benefits of outdoor play