Coronavirus: Call for 'Summer of Play' to restore children's wellbeing

Children are playing outside less with their friends, playing alone, and are less active than before the pandemic, according to new research from Save the Children.

To avoid a long-term development crisis, leading charities, businesses and child development experts have launched a # Summer of Play campaign to help get children of all ages playing this summer.

A poll by Save the Children found that 9 in 10 children believe that the pandemic has affected the way that they play, with over half (51 per cent) saying that they are playing outside and with friends less than before the pandemic.

A third (34 per cent) said that they play alone more than they used to and almost a quarter (23 per cent) of children revealed that they are playing less sport and being less active than they used to be.

The Summer of Play campaign, co-ordinated by Playfirst UK, Save the Children, Playing Out, Play England and others, is appealing for a major national effort to get children playing in order to bolster wellbeing and reduce the risk of any long-term impact on children’s development as a result of recent lockdowns.

More than 30 leading organisations from across the UK, including The Arsenal Foundation, the Lego Foundation and British Cycling, have joining forces to invite businesses, charities and the Government to take a #SummerOfPlay pledge and ensure all children get the opportunity to play this summer and to repair some of the mental and physical damage caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Anita Grant, chair of Play England, said, ‘The pandemic has affected every single child and young person as well as their families and caregivers. Children have been lonely, isolated and anxious. A Summer of Play will enable children to reconnect with friends, have fun and start to rebuild health and resilience after unprecedented restrictions.  

‘This campaign is for the next generation’s health, happiness and wellbeing. Free play is what children do when no one is telling them what not to do.  Playing freely allows brains to think, skills to develop and creativity and imagination to flow. Now is the time to make space for play and to allow children to recover.’