Playing and exploring outdoors brings risk – and that’s good for children
This article in The Conversation (14 April 2025) shares research around the benefits of risky play outdoors. The authors note that ‘risky outdoor play needs to be frequent, progressive and to take place throughout a child’s education’ – not one-off outdoor experiences. It also refers to Forest School and residential experiences [...]
There’s still time to join the Litter Pick and Play Campaign!
Play Scotland say there just 3 weeks left to get involved in Keep Scotland Beautiful's Spring Clean 2025 from 21 March – 21 April 2025. Help champion every child's right to play and a right to a safe environment. Organise a Litter Pick and Play in your area to join thousands [...]
Launch of Scotland’s Play Vision Statement and Action Plan
During the launch of Scotland’s Play Vision Statement and Action Plan 2025-2030, First Minister John Swinney announced £25 million of funding to local authorities to invest in the renewal of play parks across Scotland. Read more in this Play Scotland report.
Play Wales: Opening school grounds for play – a new toolkit
Read this Child in the City article (4 March 2025). This describes a tool designed to help head teachers, governors and local organisations to work together to consider making school grounds available to local children for playing out of school hours.
Learning Places Scotland Awards are now open!
The Learning Places Scotland Awards are back, celebrating the outstanding achievements in the planning, design, and delivery of Scotland’s learning environments. Why not showcase your project, team, or initiative and gain well-deserved recognition across the sector? Categories covering all aspects of educational development, so there’s a perfect fit for every contribution to [...]
New! Nature-play website for ELC workforce
Play Scotland have shared how researchers from the University of Glasgow have launched a new Nature-Play Website for the ELC workforce. In a video, Dr. Paul McCrorie presents the mapped system factors and their connections around nature-based play and learning in ELC. This resource supports professional development and aims to [...]
Toadstool trails in Dundee and beyond
Listen to this Play Scotland Playwell podcast! This episode of the podcast shares the story of nature trails created across Scotland to encourage families to get out and explore.
‘Play is being squeezed out of children’s lives’ – report
Child in the City newsletter (28 February) news shares that a national play strategy is ‘more urgent than ever’, according to a year-long independent inquiry on play's importance to the wellbeing of children in England.
