The family way

Playing out is great for kids, and they love it.

Yet despite the huge physical and developmental benefits of playing outside, it's no surprise that today's kids are spending half the time outdoors that their parents were when they were young.

Research commissioned by JCB Kids to launch its Fresh Air play campaign found that today's children are more inclined to stay indoors and watch TV or play computer games than go outside to play.

During the 1970s and 1980s when the current generation of parents were children, they enjoyed more than two hours of outside play each weekday, and a further nine hours at weekends, whatever the weather.

But today's youngsters venture outside for just over an hour each weekday and less than five hours on Saturdays and Sundays.

The Fresh Air campaign, which is supported by Play England, aims to increase the time children throughout the UK spend playing outside through highlighting the issue and even organising a children's mock protest demanding more outdoor play.

JCB Kids spokesperson Sam Johnson says: "Playing outdoors is so important for children - not only to help them stay active and healthy, but also to socialise with friends, and create treasured childhood memories.

"As parents we need to encourage adventurous spirit and create imaginative, and of course safe, opportunities for them to get out there."

Play England's director Cath Prisk says JCB Kids' research findings are no surprise, but she hopes they'll highlight children's lack of outdoor play, and encourage more parents to help their kids play outside.

"This reiterates the key issue that kids aren't playing outside as much as they were - but if they've only ever sat in front of the telly, played on the computer and only gone outside for a play date, then that's what they'll want to do.

"If they're told to go outside and there are regularly lots of friends out there, in a place where they feel safe, they'll be out every night and all weekend."

The poll of 2,000 parents also found that 44% wished their children played outdoors more often, with 58% saying their children didn't play out as much as other youngsters they knew. Indeed, such a lack of outdoor excitement is a serious worry for more than half (54%) of parents.

The study found 43% of children would rather watch television than go outside to play with friends, while another 42% preferred to play computer games.

In addition, a third of parents polled said their children would only play outside when it's sunny, with just 17% going outdoors whatever the weather.

In comparison, almost one in three parents said they enjoyed the fresh air come wind, rain or shine when they were kids.

"One of the big differences nowadays," says Prisk, "is that there's so much more stuff to do inside and it's so controlled.

"But kids need time outside, with things to play with that aren't single-sided - with sticks, leaves, sand, mud and space to chalk in and build in, the world is your imagination."

Many parents are afraid to let their children play outside because of the perceived risks from traffic and strangers, and while Prisk says she understands their fears, she warns: "Think about the risks inside - what are the implications for a child's mental health, their ability to make friends locally, and their physical activity levels?"

She says traffic, other possible dangers outside, and the fact that there's much more to do indoors than there was in the past, all combine to make children play out less.

And yet research by the Policy Studies Institute found that in 1971, around 50% of seven-year-olds travelled to local places other than school by themselves, compared to 20% in 1990, and 10% in 2010.

Similarly, in 1971, 86% of primary school children were allowed to travel home from school alone. By 1990, this had dropped to 35%, and to 25% in 2010.

Prisk points out that children used to get much more time to play during the school day than they do today - and yet 43% of the parents in the JCB Kids survey said they relied on school to ensure their children got plenty of time outdoors through PE and playtimes.

To help tackle the problem, Play England wants parents to 'reclaim the streets' for their kids, by thinking about how they played in the street as a child, and what could be possible where they live.

That might involve assessing whether a nearby car park could sometimes be used for children to play in safely, whether they could play in a cul-de-sac, or if there's green space nearby that could be used.

Prisk asks: "What could be possible where you live?

"It's not just about kids playing out in their own back garden, it's about retaking our own neighbourhoods."

In areas such as Hackney, Bristol and Oxford, residents are being allowed to regularly close their streets to traffic so children can play out.

Prisk points out that this year's UK-wide Playday in August, which is supported by Play England and its sister organisations in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, is urging parents, communities and local officials to consider areas where children can play, whether that's a street, park or disused green space.

"We want everyone to think about how we can make our places more playful," explains Prisk.

And finally, she issues a green warning for the future.

"If kids aren't outside digging their toes into mud and making daisy chains, and loving their own environment, who's going to be the next Chris Packham and Sir David Attenborough?

"How will children develop that love of the environment so they'll campaign for it?

"They need to play out now."

She adds: "If kids can play out with people they know in a familiar place, it's just so good for them. They're happier, healthier, and they're having fun.

"We've got to reclaim our streets and neighbourhoods to give them that opportunity."

Ask the expert

Q: "Should I be concerned about the current measles outbreak in Wales? My young children aren't vaccinated, but I thought measles was a minor childhood illness, so why does it matter if they catch it?"

A: Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at Public Health England, says: "Measles is often associated with being a disease of the past and as a result people may be unaware that it's dangerous and can lead to death in severe cases.

"Parents of unvaccinated children, as well as older teenagers and young adults, who may have missed MMR vaccination, should be aware that it's never too late to get vaccinated to protect against measles.

"There are some children that can't be vaccinated for health reasons, and so it's important to remember that by vaccinating your child with two doses of MMR vaccine, you're not only protecting your child's health, but you're also protecting the health of those children who are unable to get vaccinated.

"If you're unsure if you or your child has had two doses of the vaccine, speak to your GP who will have a record.

"We want to make sure that parents know it's never too late to have their children fully vaccinated. Two doses of MMR vaccination provides optimum protection against three diseases, measles mumps and rubella."

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