Useful Play Links
Adventure Playgrounds
Adventure playgrounds provide a space for children to play freely and creatively without the limitations of fixed play equipment or organized activities and games. Children are given the safety of an enclosed supervised environment. Playworkers are always present to mediate disputes between children and to help them when necessary. Lia Sutton prepared this website as a senior project while studying at Hampshire College. It gives an overview of adventure playgrounds.
http://www.wisbechadventureplay.net/
Alliance for Childhood
The Alliance for Childhood promotes policies and practices that support children’s healthy development, love of learning, and joy in living. It serves as a network that facilitates reflection and action by people with concerns about the care and education of children. It is not a conventional organisation, but an expression of a willingness to work together for the betterment of the experience of childhood. The website offers a forum for participating organisations, a list of published materials and information about upcoming events.
Adventure Playgrounds
Adventure playgrounds provide a space for children to play freely and creatively without the limitations of fixed play equipment or organized activities and games. Children are given the safety of an enclosed supervised environment. Playworkers are always present to mediate disputes between children and to help them when necessary. Lia Sutton prepared this website as a senior project while studying at Hampshire College. It gives an overview of adventure playgrounds.
http://www.wisbechadventureplay.net/
Alliance for Childhood
The Alliance for Childhood promotes policies and practices that support children’s healthy development, love of learning, and joy in living. It serves as a network that facilitates reflection and action by people with concerns about the care and education of children. It is not a conventional organisation, but an expression of a willingness to work together for the betterment of the experience of childhood. The website offers a forum for participating organisations, a list of published materials and information about upcoming events.
American Institute for Learning and Human Development (USA)
This website shares resources and presentations by Dr Thomas Armstrong, the Executive Director of the American Institute for Learning and Human Development, award-winning author, speaker and educator. He writes on neurodiversity, multiple intelligences, awakening natural genius, miseducation in America, non-drug alternatives for ADHD and the stages of life. You will find some excellent bibliographies, including many books on play, in the 'Keynotes and Workshops' section.
This website shares resources and presentations by Dr Thomas Armstrong, the Executive Director of the American Institute for Learning and Human Development, award-winning author, speaker and educator. He writes on neurodiversity, multiple intelligences, awakening natural genius, miseducation in America, non-drug alternatives for ADHD and the stages of life. You will find some excellent bibliographies, including many books on play, in the 'Keynotes and Workshops' section.
The Association for the Study of Play
Membership organization, formerly the Association for the Anthropological Study of Play. Sponsors conferences, research, and a newsletter. Also publishes Play and Cultural Studies, an annual peer-reviewed volume of current theory and research on play in a variety of disciplines.
Membership organization, formerly the Association for the Anthropological Study of Play. Sponsors conferences, research, and a newsletter. Also publishes Play and Cultural Studies, an annual peer-reviewed volume of current theory and research on play in a variety of disciplines.
Eureka Children's Museum, York
Association of Children's Museums—Playing for Keeps
A national non-profit coalition of parents, toy industry leaders, scholars, educators, cultural leaders, and others dedicated to the optimal development of children by supporting, promoting, and protecting the role of play in our culture.
Bath Cultural Forum - Making Bath a UNICEF Child-Friendly City
Creating an amazing child friendly Bath. Various events in and around Bath, as well as a lot of inspiration for making your own city or town a UNICEF Child-Friendly City.
Creating an amazing child friendly Bath. Various events in and around Bath, as well as a lot of inspiration for making your own city or town a UNICEF Child-Friendly City.
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Boundless Playgrounds (USA and Canada)
Non-profit builders of playgrounds. Their mission: To build truly inclusive playgrounds where children and adults of all abilities can play and learn together in a fun and welcoming environment. Their vision: To create a world where all children have the opportunity to gain the developmental and health benefits derived from unstructured play in an inclusive environment. To provide a learning and growing environment so children can develop a lifelong respect for and appreciation of individuals of all abilities. |
Boundless Playground Celebration
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The Bristol Children's Scrapstore is a charity and work as ambassadors for children’s play! Their aim is to help improve play opportunities for children and young people and to reach as many children and young people as possible. They run a scrapstore, an Aladdin’s Cave of low-cost, varied and abundant scrap materials for creative play – safe surplus resources collected from business and industry. They also run Scrapstore PlayPod in schools, revolutionising children’s lunchtimes in primary schools. Parents 4 Play is their campaign with the aim to create an inspiring and informative information and chat network about play for parents, by parents.
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Screen-Free Week: host an event!
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CCFC—Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood (USA) CCFC is a national coalition of health care professionals, educators, advocacy groups, and concerned parents who counter the harmful effects of marketing to children through action, advocacy, education, research, and collaboration among organizations and individuals who care about children. Home to the international celebration of Screen-Free Week! |
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The Centre for the Study of Play and Recreation at the University of Greenwich is the first of its kind in the UK to develop an understanding of the role of children’s play, informal education and activity-based learning throughout the life-cycle. It forms a national centre for the public, as well as interested professionals, to access information and advice about the theoretical and social underpinning of play and informed practice.
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The Children's Commissioner
Maggie Atkinson is the Children's Commissioner for England. She has a legal duty to promote and protect the rights of all children in England with a particular focus on children and young people with difficulties or challenges in their lives, and in particular those living away from home, in or leaving care, or receiving social care services. Contact her at: [email protected] |
The Children’s Environments Research Group, Roger Hart
CERG provides an important link between university scholarship and the development of policies, environments, and programs that fulfill children’s rights and improve the quality of their lives.
CERG provides an important link between university scholarship and the development of policies, environments, and programs that fulfill children’s rights and improve the quality of their lives.
Child-Friendly City Initiative (UNICEF)
The Child Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI) was launched in 1996 to act on the resolution passed during the second United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) to make cities liveable places for all; in UNICEF terms, aiming to put "children first." The UN Conference declared that the well-being of children is the ultimate indicator of a healthy habitat, a democratic society and of good governance. Child friendly cities are a platform to
take forward the child rights agenda in both the developing world and the industrialized world.
The CFCI, a movement gathering together a wide range of partners, advocates for governance approaches and participatory urban management promoting the realization of the rights of the youngest citizens.
The Child Friendly Cities Initiative (CFCI) was launched in 1996 to act on the resolution passed during the second United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Habitat II) to make cities liveable places for all; in UNICEF terms, aiming to put "children first." The UN Conference declared that the well-being of children is the ultimate indicator of a healthy habitat, a democratic society and of good governance. Child friendly cities are a platform to
take forward the child rights agenda in both the developing world and the industrialized world.
The CFCI, a movement gathering together a wide range of partners, advocates for governance approaches and participatory urban management promoting the realization of the rights of the youngest citizens.
UNICEF's Child-Friendly City Initiative
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Find out about UNICEF's building blocs of a Child-Friendly City.
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Children's Play Information Service (CPIS) produces factsheets and student reading lists on a variety of play topics, such as No.11 Key Sources of Information on Children's Play, No.14 What is Playwork or No.15 The Benefits of School Playtime. Its reference library has moved to the University of Sheffield. |
ECAP
Early Childhood and Parenting Collaborative Web Site (USA)
The new repository for ERIC/EECE materials on topics to do with early childhood, parenting and teaching ranging from violence to resilience and child development.
Early Childhood Action
Early Childhood Action
ECA is a new alliance of early years individuals and organisations, founded with the aim of campaigning intensively in the coming weeks and months to influence the government’s final revision of England’s statutory Early Years Foundation Stage. See their website for a powerful manifesto calling for an Alternative Foundation Phase based on play and a developmentally appropriate framework for young children's early development and learning.
ECA is a new alliance of early years individuals and organisations, founded with the aim of campaigning intensively in the coming weeks and months to influence the government’s final revision of England’s statutory Early Years Foundation Stage. See their website for a powerful manifesto calling for an Alternative Foundation Phase based on play and a developmentally appropriate framework for young children's early development and learning.
Fair Play for Children
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Fair Play for Children
Promoting the Child's Right to Play since 1973 in the UK and worldwide according to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Fair Play gives excellent support around play-work issues offering leaflets and policy documents as well as up to date news and information. Ideal for any organisation offering play activities with children. |
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Family Futures
Family Futures is a London based not-for-profit adoption agency, committed to providing comprehensive adoption support every step of the way. Family Futures helps prospective adopters through the adoption process and provides a comprehensive post placement service to children and their families, as well as to professionals seeking advice, consultation and training. |
Free Play: The Cornfield
Free Play (USA)
Free Play™ is a studio that creates interactive learning environments for children through sensory-focused play structures that can be customized to fit any landscape. Free Play™ founder and president Dan Schreibman noticed the limitations of standardized playgrounds, and observed that his two daughters were much more engaged when playing in nature or in unstructured settings where they were free to explore. Identifying the need for a different kind of play experience, they created a new type of play environment, brought to life by New York-based firm LTL Architects, that provides an abundance of sensory experiences and gives children the freedom to play as they choose.
Free Play™ is a studio that creates interactive learning environments for children through sensory-focused play structures that can be customized to fit any landscape. Free Play™ founder and president Dan Schreibman noticed the limitations of standardized playgrounds, and observed that his two daughters were much more engaged when playing in nature or in unstructured settings where they were free to explore. Identifying the need for a different kind of play experience, they created a new type of play environment, brought to life by New York-based firm LTL Architects, that provides an abundance of sensory experiences and gives children the freedom to play as they choose.
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Free Play Network
The Free Play Network is an independent voice for play and children's right to play. They believe that play should be free for all. Aiming to bring together everyone who values play. You can join their mailing list, and they also offer a guide to designing successful play spaces, a photo exhibition and a list of play publications. |
Frost Play Research Collection (USA)
Extensive list of links to play research materials and sites.
Games Kids Play
Children’s games, rules for playground games, jump rope rhymes, circle games, etc.
Extensive list of links to play research materials and sites.
Games Kids Play
Children’s games, rules for playground games, jump rope rhymes, circle games, etc.
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Have a Field Day (Fields in Trust)
Fields in Trust’s Have a Field Day is a fresh air initiative to bring your community together for activity and play on your local protected Fields in Trust site. Joining in with this UK-wide programme is like adding your name to a pledge which says that you value your local park and the space it provides for play Fields in Trust support organisers with an ideas booklet, a downloadable toolkit, posters and leaflets to spread the word as well as a free goodie box worth over £100 packed with items to help the day go well like bunting, t-shirts and medals. Find out the full contents at http://www.fieldsintrust.org/hafd_goodies.aspx Why not hold your National Children’s Day on a Fields in Trust site? |
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International Journal of Play
The International Journal of Play is an inter-disciplinary publication focusing on all facets of play. It aims to provide an international forum for mono- and multi-disciplinary papers and scholarly debate on all aspects of play theory, policy and practice from across the globe and across the lifespan, and in all kinds of cultural settings, institutions and communities. The journal will be of interest to anthropologists, educationalists, folklorists, historians, linguists, philosophers, play workers, psychologists, sociologists, therapists and zoologists.
The International Journal of Play is an inter-disciplinary publication focusing on all facets of play. It aims to provide an international forum for mono- and multi-disciplinary papers and scholarly debate on all aspects of play theory, policy and practice from across the globe and across the lifespan, and in all kinds of cultural settings, institutions and communities. The journal will be of interest to anthropologists, educationalists, folklorists, historians, linguists, philosophers, play workers, psychologists, sociologists, therapists and zoologists.
International Play Association - American Association for the Child’s Right to Play (USA)
An international, interdisciplinary, non-governmental organization whose purpose is to protect, preserve, and promote children’s play as a fundamental human right of all children around the world. Considers play to be the only means possible to ensure the maximum development of each individual and the societies in which they live. Presents and works for implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Their site gives information on organizing a Play Day in your community. Publishes the PlayRights newsletter. Most famous for the IPA's video created for the launch of the General Comment on article 31. ("I'm On Top of the World", by IMAGINE DRAGONS, used with permission):
An international, interdisciplinary, non-governmental organization whose purpose is to protect, preserve, and promote children’s play as a fundamental human right of all children around the world. Considers play to be the only means possible to ensure the maximum development of each individual and the societies in which they live. Presents and works for implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Their site gives information on organizing a Play Day in your community. Publishes the PlayRights newsletter. Most famous for the IPA's video created for the launch of the General Comment on article 31. ("I'm On Top of the World", by IMAGINE DRAGONS, used with permission):
KaBoom
Developing partnerships among individuals, civic and community groups, and businesses and foundations, toward building safe, accessible, fun and much-needed community playgrounds.
Developing partnerships among individuals, civic and community groups, and businesses and foundations, toward building safe, accessible, fun and much-needed community playgrounds.
Kid Source
Articles of interest: Learning Through Play, Parental Involvement in Play, Toy Selection and Buying Guide for different ages.
Articles of interest: Learning Through Play, Parental Involvement in Play, Toy Selection and Buying Guide for different ages.
“Enjoyment appears at the boundary between boredom and anxiety, when the challenges are just balanced with the person’s capacity to act.”
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
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The Land documentary - Blog
A great blog about risky play and adventure playgrounds by the team behind the forthcoming documentary The Land about an adventure playground in Wales. Some fantastic archival materials looking at the history of play and risk-taking, as well as recent newspaper articles and video clips from the US and the UK. |
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Learning through Landscapes helps children to connect with nature, become more active, learn outdoors, develop social skills and have fun. LtL does this through three avenues:
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Lemelson Center / Smithsonian Institution (USA)
The Invention at Play national traveling exhibit explores the connection between play and the creative impulse of inventors. Includes stories of inventors, discussions on play, great quotes on play, and little video clips such as one on “Play for Play’s Sake.”
The Invention at Play national traveling exhibit explores the connection between play and the creative impulse of inventors. Includes stories of inventors, discussions on play, great quotes on play, and little video clips such as one on “Play for Play’s Sake.”
Could your street be a play street?
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London Play
London Play is the voice of play in London. It strives for London's children to have the best free play opportunities, near to where they live. The organisation works with play providers from all sectors to increase play opportunities for London's children, support organisations to increase and improve play opportunities in London, fund play projects, engage with children and communities and work to raise the profile of play with politicians, decision makers, parents, schools and other bodies through the media, publications and by contributing to policy-making structures. |
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National Association for the Education of Young Children (USA)
NAEYC is the world's largest organisation working on behalf of young children aged 0 - 8. NAEYC promotes high-quality early learning for all children, birth through age 8, by connecting practice, policy, and research. Great resources, fact sheets, articles and links to relevant books on their excellent website. |
National Center for Infants, Toddlers and Families (USA)
A good downloadable booklet: The Power of Play: Learning Through Play from Birth to Three
A good downloadable booklet: The Power of Play: Learning Through Play from Birth to Three
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The National Institute for Play (USA)
Founded by retired psychiatrist Stuart Brown, who writes: “What the Institute for Play is offering is a mix of information and resources to give you a deeper understanding of the nature and importance of play, and connections to helpful people, organizations, and information. We will also address play's role in various arenas of human endeavor, such as education, violence prevention, community building, and our favorite—play for its own sake.” Offers a video series that has appeared on PBS, The Power of Play. |
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Natural Learning Initiative
Robin Moore at N.C. State University is director of the Natural Learning Initiative. The group promotes the importance of the natural environment in the daily experience of all children through environmental design, action research, education and dissemination of information; to help communities create stimulating places for play, learning, and environmental education.
Robin Moore at N.C. State University is director of the Natural Learning Initiative. The group promotes the importance of the natural environment in the daily experience of all children through environmental design, action research, education and dissemination of information; to help communities create stimulating places for play, learning, and environmental education.
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Play Association Tower Hamlets (PATH) An inspiring initiative bringing play to the children of Tower Hamlets. PATH's aim is healthier, happier children playing in improved environments brought about through active citizens working together. PATH works to place play firmly at the heart of community life in Tower Hamlets and to include play where it is missing. 'We believe play is not periphery; it is essential, to the overall well being and development of every child'. |
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Playday
Playday 2015 is on 5 August. Playday is the national day for play in the UK, traditionally held on the first Wednesday in August. On Playday thousands of children and their families get out to play at hundreds of community events across the UK. From small-scale events to thousands of children taking over Trafalgar Square – Playday is celebrated by each community in a way that suits them. As well as a celebration of children's right to play, Playday is a campaign that highlights the importance of play in children’s lives. Playday is co-ordinated by PlayBoard NI, Play Scotland, Play Wales and Play England. |
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Play Daze
Play Daze is a beautiful play initiative taking place in North Carolina, USA, in September each year, and it celebrates the value of play. It is designed to provide a host of play activities for all age groups, toddlers to grandparents. Schools, child care centres, organizations, churches, families and communities are encouraged to create an event for Play Daze. These can last anywhere from one hour up to an entire weekend. Organised by Be Active Kids and partners. |
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Playlink
PLAYLINK is a multi-faceted independent play and informal leisure consultancy working in the areas of design, planning, policy, strategy, local engagement, fundraising and organisational development. PLAYLINK aims both to create 'playable spaces' with its Designs for Play service and to address the policy and practice issues that affect the planning and delivery of best possible play opportunities for children and – of massive importance – young people. |
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Playing Out
A great resource for anyone who wants children to be able to play out in the streets where they live. The Playing Out website has ideas, information, advice, stories and inspiration gathered from people all round the UK and beyond, to help make this possible wherever you live. From tiny things, like leaving your front door open and saying hi to a neighbour, to big community action, like opening up your street for play … |
Play Wales
Play Wales/Chwarae Cymru is the national organization for children's play in Wales. It is an independent charity funded by the Welsh Assembly Government. Its aim is to act as a champion for children's play; and to increase awareness and understanding of the critical importance of play in children's development. “It is our belief that play which is freely chosen, personally directed and intrinsically motivated is vital in a child's development.”
Play Wales/Chwarae Cymru is the national organization for children's play in Wales. It is an independent charity funded by the Welsh Assembly Government. Its aim is to act as a champion for children's play; and to increase awareness and understanding of the critical importance of play in children's development. “It is our belief that play which is freely chosen, personally directed and intrinsically motivated is vital in a child's development.”
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Pop Up Parks
Pop Up Parks create vibrant spaces in urban environments that encourage children and families to spend more time being playful, creative and physically active outside the home. Pop Up Parks' programme leads to the transformation of built environments and the public realm. |
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Street Play
Lists of events, activities, and information on street games.
Lists of events, activities, and information on street games.
Touch the Future
Comprehensive website on child and human development, based on the work of Joseph Chilton Pearce and others. Watch video clips such as “Discovering the Intelligence of Play,” from an invitational symposium on play with Joseph Chilton Pearce, Fred Donaldson, James Prescott, Stuart Brown, and Michael Mendizza.
Comprehensive website on child and human development, based on the work of Joseph Chilton Pearce and others. Watch video clips such as “Discovering the Intelligence of Play,” from an invitational symposium on play with Joseph Chilton Pearce, Fred Donaldson, James Prescott, Stuart Brown, and Michael Mendizza.
TRUCE: Teachers Resisting Unhealthy Children’s Entertainment
An organisation of early childhood professionals that works to promote a positive play environment for children. TRUCE produces written materials such as the Toy Action Guide and Media Violence and Children: A Call to Action. As a small, grassroots organization, it believes that toys should enhance children’s natural ability to actively engage in imaginative and meaningful play.
An organisation of early childhood professionals that works to promote a positive play environment for children. TRUCE produces written materials such as the Toy Action Guide and Media Violence and Children: A Call to Action. As a small, grassroots organization, it believes that toys should enhance children’s natural ability to actively engage in imaginative and meaningful play.
Voice of Play (USA)
A website started in 2006 by IPEMA, a non-profit trade association representing playground equipment makers, to promote the benefits of children's play and playgrounds and to provide information and resources to help us all improve the quality and quantity of children's play and playgrounds. Interesting contributions in the 'Play Cafe' blog about free play and the importance of children playing outdoors.
A website started in 2006 by IPEMA, a non-profit trade association representing playground equipment makers, to promote the benefits of children's play and playgrounds and to provide information and resources to help us all improve the quality and quantity of children's play and playgrounds. Interesting contributions in the 'Play Cafe' blog about free play and the importance of children playing outdoors.
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Voluntary Arts Week
Voluntary Arts Week is an annual celebration of cultural creativity across the UK & Republic of Ireland. The event is promoted by Voluntary Arts but is run by the arts & crafts groups and individuals who take part in cultural activities all year long. The aim of the week is to shine a national spotlight on the wide range of creative groups and dedicated volunteers that make up the UK & Republic of Ireland’s vibrant voluntary arts sector – encouraging more people to connect with activity in their community and discover the joy of ‘taking part’. Voluntary Arts Week 2015 will take place from 15 – 24 May - see how you can get involved! |
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4Children
4Children is the national charity all about children and families. They champion a joined-up, integrated approach to children’s services and work with a wide range of partners around the country to ensure children and families have access to the services and support they need in their communities. 4Children run Sure Start Children’s Centres as well as family and youth services across Britain. |