Streets closed to allow children to play outside.

[Meglet]

Reclaiming the streets for kids

I love this idea, temporary road closures so children can play out again. We we lucky enough to live in a cul-de-sac so were always allowed out in the 1980's.

The mum in the article is quite right in saying the park isn't an answer as you have to trek back and forth and get back for supper. At least the parents can get things done at home if children are playing out the front together. We live on a rat run so I can't put the kids out the front .

Just posted blog about a parent's experience of letting their 6 year old start to play on the street, do come and take a look: loveoutdoorplay.net/2012/07/06/reclaim-the-street/.

I'm currently working with Alice from Playing Out and with London Play to look for funding to support and advise other communities that want to make their streets more play friendly - be great to hear from more communities where street play still normal, or where you'd like it to be!

One of the things I remember about the aftermath of block parties on my US street (street closed off all day, children out on bikes, etc) was that the littlest children had a hard time understanding that they couldn't just step off the curb to play on the street the next day too.

The children tended to play out front a lot on that street though as the front gardens were small and open plan and there was a grassy area ('parkway') between the path and the street.