As part of National Play Week, the University of Worcester is hosting a day of traditional outdoor games and helping local families learn how they can create more opportunities for children to play in their communities.
The free event will take place from 11am to 2pm on 6 August at the University’s City Campus, and will give families the chance to enjoy a range of simple outdoor activities while speaking to University staff and members of Play Worcester about organising temporary street closures for play.
Dr Emma Laurence, Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies at the University of Worcester, said: “We’ve got such fantastic spaces to share, and this is about opening them up so families can come along, play together and spend time as a community.
“We’ll have chalk, bubbles and lots of simple play equipment, but really, it’s people that make the day.”
Dr Laurence said the event would also provide an opportunity for parents to learn more about creating play opportunities in their own neighbourhoods.
“Play is vitally important, and there simply aren’t enough free, accessible spaces where children and young people can just be,” she said.
“At a time when we’re hearing more and more about the impact of excessive screen time and social media use on children, this is a great opportunity to open up more spaces for young people.
“We’re talking about reclaiming streets for play. Even if it’s only for an afternoon, the benefits can be significant. Families get to see their children playing safely outside, making friends and enjoying their local environment together.
“Once communities do it a few times, it starts to feel normal, and children begin to see their neighbourhoods as places where they belong.”
The play day is being delivered in partnership with local charity Play Worcester, which has organised a packed programme of activities across National Play Week.
Niki Stobbs, Chair of Play Worcester and Senior Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Worcester, said: “Our overall aim is to make Worcester a more playful city, and closing a street for play is a fantastic low-cost way to allow children to play outside.
“It’s really easy to do. On the Play Worcester website there is a step-by-step guide to stop cars coming down your road for an afternoon, and it’s a fantastic way to bring a community together.”
Katie Collier, Worcester city councillor and a member of Play Worcester, said: “Lots of the work we’re doing alongside the University and several local organisations is aimed at making sure there’s plenty for children to do throughout the summer holidays.
“As well as the event at the University of Worcester on 6 August, there is a whole programme of events taking place across the city that week.
“There’s a pop-up play session in Ashford Close, a Picnic and Play event in Warndon Villages, and we wanted to make sure there was something for older children and teenagers too, so we’ve got a Youth Fun Day at Perdiswell on 5 August for 11-17 year olds.”
For full details of the programme of play events across the summer visit the Play Worcester Website.