Children's Play in Stocksbridge Housing Areas - how can we make the area around the home more supportive of children's needs

A memory jogger for those involved in making decisions about the layout and design of spaces near the home.

It is a curious fact that much more play takes place outside the official play areas than in them - this means everywhere near the home is a potential play opportunity for children and will be used by children if it is designed understanding their needs. The problem away from the specially designed play areas is how do we make the home environment a safe place for play - creating the sort of play opportunities that encourage the child to play with a few friends nearby the home.

More formal play facilities are not discussed here (in the Stocksbridge area they are provided, designed and maintained by Sheffield City). Such areas can be at a distance from homes an advantage as this minimises any potential noise problems. They are the sort of places that can become focal points for walks and strolls with carers accompanying their children when they are young or the sort of places older childern go to go meet their friends.

PLAY CHECKLIST FOR THE HOME ENVIRONMENT

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.......

See the special website on Children's play in housing areas - it aims to help you think through the problem of what and how to design for children playing near the house

© A.R.Beer and C. Higham, 2004

Children's Play needs

Introduction

Places for creative play

Places for imaginative play

Home Zones and play

Quiet places for play

Play on hard surfaces

A Play Checklist

Return to other information on people's needs in residential areas

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