School’s Out for Summer - Time to Play!

Angela Stallard Director of Service Delivery & Development, PlayBoard NI

Schools have closed for summer, allowing children in Northern Ireland two whole months of freedom and opportunity to play. For many families, the school holidays provide a chance for children to escape screens and structured learning, giving them the freedom to reconnect with nature, engage with their community, and of course to enjoy play! But opportunities to do so are often determined by geography, income, and local infrastructure. In towns, cities, and rural areas alike, access to safe, well-maintained outdoor spaces remains a mixed picture across Northern Ireland. While some communities benefit from vibrant play parks, forest trails, and greenways, others are left with broken equipment, neglected green spaces, or simply nowhere nearby to let children run free safely.

The benefits of being outdoors are well-documented; physical activity, improved mental health, social skills, and a sense of community all stem from access to quality play environments. Play and outdoor spaces are essential infrastructure. As we face ongoing public health and environmental challenges, making time to play is one of the simplest, most effective investments that we can make in our children’s future.

The NI Children and Young People’s Strategy 2020–2030 commits to providing safe and accessible play spaces for every child. Similarly, Planning Policy Statement 8 and the SPPS (Strategic Planning Policy Statement) acknowledge open space as a core component of sustainable development. Yet implementation remains inconsistent.

Encouragingly, there are signs of progress. Many councils across Northern Ireland have begun investing in play strategies, with new inclusive playgrounds opening in several districts, creative use of green spaces, and community-based unstructured play. But progress is inconsistent. Maintenance budgets are often limited. Public transport links to rural and district parks are sometimes inadequate and children with disabilities still face significant barriers to play.

Every child deserves a safe and inspiring place to play

Despite longstanding recognition of the value of play, Northern Ireland’s policy framework currently lacks any statutory commitment to Play Sufficiency. With increasing pressures on land use and housing, this oversight puts children’s well-being and development at risk, particularly in areas of deprivation where play spaces are most needed.

A coordinated, cross-departmental approach is essential - one that links health, education, planning, and community development. Therefore, joined-up thinking and a strategic, cross-departmental approach that puts children at the centre is crucial. This approach would include: ● Embedding play access into local development plans and housing strategies. ● Encouragement of street play within neighbourhoods. ● Supporting inclusive design and infrastructure, especially for children with disabilities. ● Prioritising safe walking and cycling routes to parks and green spaces. ● Enabling schools to open their outdoor facilities for community use during holidays. ● Funding community-led initiatives to reclaim community-based play.

The child’s right to play needs to be recognised and prioritised at a policy level. The development of a Northern Ireland Play Strategy could transform the landscape for play for Northern Ireland’s children. Every child deserves a safe and inspiring place to play – not just in summer, but all year round.