“Summer’s here and everyone wants – and deserves – to be able to enjoy the light nights and warm weather. But how do we avoid running into problems when we’re sharing our streets and spaces? Check out these top tips for both children and adults to help encourage safe play and understanding in your neighbourhood.”
We were all young once
Playing outdoors as children helps us to develop and become aware of boundaries. It’s good to support children to be active and exercise for their health and wellbeing. Some children can’t always play at home so it’s good for them to be able to play outdoors as well.
It’s good to talk
If there are any problems, it’s best just talk it over with parents or guardians, explain the problem and see if a positive suggestion can be made as a solution before reporting a problem.
Being a good neighbour
For children playing outside, always play safely and respect your neighbours. Try not to cause any damage, be too noisy and make sure you put any litter in the bin and take any toys home with you. If anything is damaged of anyone does complain, then let your parents or guardians know so they can help to sort it out.
Playing safe
Make sure you let your parents or guardian know where you’ll be and use play areas in your neighbourhood if they are happy for you to go there. Avoid playing on the road or near parked cars. It’s also best to play with friends rather than alone.
Have fun!
We want young people to be able to enjoy being active and we won’t take action against innocent playing. As long as children respect the community and the people who live there then we can all enjoy having fun in the sun this summer.
Safe street play
Over in Meadow Well, North Shields, Karbon customer Sarah McDonald helped to develop a Street Play initiative that created play sessions around the estate.
Sarah, a Community Development Officer at the local community centre Meadow Well Connected, joined forces with neighbouring Phoenix Detached Youth Project. They set up regular games, arts and crafts and sports sessions, part funded by Karbon Homes Community Investment Fund.
Fancy doing something similar in your neighbourhood? We asked Sarah for some tips on getting started…
“It’s easier than you might think. All you really need is a safe space, a few adults to keep an eye on things and a few ideas for games. You’d be surprised by how things get going once a few people get involved.
“There are lots of reasons children aren’t allowed to play out but once there is a feeling of safety then parents have the confidence to let them get involved. We found the adults also enjoyed meeting their neighbours.”
Sarah’s tips for starting your own play sessions
- Find somewhere safe to get together – perhaps streets that are not too busy or areas with a green.
- Talk to your neighbours – ask around to find other parents who’d like to get involved.
- Invite other streets.
- Reach out to your local community centre who might be able to help with advice or equipment.
- Pool your ideas. Kids love to learn different games so think back to your own childhood and share the memories!
- Club together to get a few bits of equipment. It doesn’t take much to have some fun. Try a game of rounders or a tug-of-war.
You can even organise to close your road and run an event connected to the national Playing Out campaign. There’s lots of great information about how to do that at www.playingout.net
“Summer’s here and everyone wants – and deserves – to be able to enjoy the light nights and warm weather. But how do we avoid running into problems when we’re sharing our streets and spaces? Check out these top tips for both children and adults to help encourage safe play and understanding in your neighbourhood.”
We were all young once
Playing outdoors as children helps us to develop and become aware of boundaries. It’s good to support children to be active and exercise for their health and wellbeing. Some children can’t always play at home so it’s good for them to be able to play outdoors as well.
It’s good to talk
If there are any problems, it’s best just talk it over with parents or guardians, explain the problem and see if a positive suggestion can be made as a solution before reporting a problem.
Being a good neighbour
For children playing outside, always play safely and respect your neighbours. Try not to cause any damage, be too noisy and make sure you put any litter in the bin and take any toys home with you. If anything is damaged of anyone does complain, then let your parents or guardians know so they can help to sort it out.
Playing safe
Make sure you let your parents or guardian know where you’ll be and use play areas in your neighbourhood if they are happy for you to go there. Avoid playing on the road or near parked cars. It’s also best to play with friends rather than alone.
Have fun!
We want young people to be able to enjoy being active and we won’t take action against innocent playing. As long as children respect the community and the people who live there then we can all enjoy having fun in the sun this summer.
Safe street play
Over in Meadow Well, North Shields, Karbon customer Sarah McDonald helped to develop a Street Play initiative that created play sessions around the estate.
Sarah, a Community Development Officer at the local community centre Meadow Well Connected, joined forces with neighbouring Phoenix Detached Youth Project. They set up regular games, arts and crafts and sports sessions, part funded by Karbon Homes Community Investment Fund.
Fancy doing something similar in your neighbourhood? We asked Sarah for some tips on getting started…
“It’s easier than you might think. All you really need is a safe space, a few adults to keep an eye on things and a few ideas for games. You’d be surprised by how things get going once a few people get involved.
“There are lots of reasons children aren’t allowed to play out but once there is a feeling of safety then parents have the confidence to let them get involved. We found the adults also enjoyed meeting their neighbours.”
Sarah’s tips for starting your own play sessions
You can even organise to close your road and run an event connected to the national Playing Out campaign. There’s lots of great information about how to do that at www.playingout.net
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