Playing out: a grassroots street play revolution

ABSTRACT

Playing Out began as a simple, direct action by two mothers on their own street in Bristol, UK. Over eight years, it has grown into a UK-wide movement driven by parent and resident activists and involving over 800 street communities. This case study sets out the background and context for this modern street play movement, provides evidence of its impact for children and communities and makes an argument for the restoration of street play as a normal part of urban childhood.

KEYWORDS:

• Children
• childhood
• play
• street
• freedom
• physical activity
• obesity
• public space
• rights
• independent mobility
• community
• direct action

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Alice Ferguson

Alice Ferguson: In 2009, Alice and her neighbour, Amy Rose, temporarily transformed their street into a safe ‘shared space’ where children could play freely outside their front door, simply by closing the road to through-traffic for a short time. This model was intended as a stop-gap and a catalyst for change. Alice is now Co-Director of Playing Out CIC, set up to support a growing parent-led movement to restore children's freedom to play out where they live. Twitter: @aliceplayingout