Is there a space for my child to:

run

jump

climb

crawl

roll

slide

balance

sit

hide

explore

shelter

dig

build

swing

cycle

skate

play ball

make dens

near the house?

If not, where could they do these activities?

Are these places close enough to the home?

Evidence shows that younger children tend to play within a distance of 100m from their home.

Does my garden provide for a range of the above activities?

Are these places safe and secure?

The busier a space, the safer it is for children's play.

Vehicles are always a threat to children.

Are the places they play in away from traffic?

If the answer is 'no', then are there ways in which the traffic could be slowed or reduced?

for example:-

speed bumps

barriers and bollards

road narrowing

cul-de-sacs

dog-leg street layout

change in surfacing

closing streets to through traffic

Is there a diversity of places near the home for my child to experience different situations?

small/large scale

enclosed/open spaces

hard/soft surfacing

busy/quiet

Are there places for my child to interact with nature?

e.g. ponds, meadows, undeveloped 'wild' areas, wildlife gardens

Are there quiet places away from people and traffic where my child can sit, talk, relax
and enjoy being outside?

Are there larger areas where older children can experience more adventurous play?

Where green spaces seem too big for young children's play, use entrance spaces and
create seating areas for adults.

Ultimately, children play anywhere and everywhere, so residential design and
street improvements should always consider this. Children play in gardens, parks,
playgrounds, up trees, behind bushes, on walls, down banks,
in puddles, outside shops, on the way to school.......