All posts by Gemma Chandler

Real Play City
Challenge

Thursday September 17th, 2020UncategorizedGemma Chandler

Play is essential for children to thrive now and in the future, but many urban environments lack opportunities or a city-wide strategy for play. That’s why the Real Play City Challenge aims to reclaim places to play in cities for children.

We want to support, promote and share initiatives that have potential to:

Inspire more cities, placemakers, urban planners, real-estate developers and other stakeholders to take action in safe, child-friendly and playful urban practice.
Optimise, integrate and disseminate international knowledge and experience to strengthen safe, child-friendly and playful urban practice.
Enhance impact by catalysing, replicating and scaling child-friendly, safe and playful initiatives in different contexts around the globe.

Using our frameworks we invite urban planners, placemakers, city decision-makers and architects to join our challenge and become one of the winners selected to attend our masterclass and scale up their ideas.

Find out more about the contest and frameworks that inspire the Real Play City Challenge: www.realplaycitychallenge.org

Reclaiming Play
in Cities Report

Monday February 10th, 2020Uncategorizedcities, play gap, Reclaiming Play in Cities Report, report, world urban forum, WUFGemma Chandler

At the Real Play Coalition, we truly believe in the power of play. We see a child’s time to play, access to play facilitation, environment for play and the broader supportive ecosystem that support play as a critical resource for children and their skills development. The Reclaiming Play in Cities Report, launched at the 10^th World Urban Forum, reviews the evidence around learning through play and the impact that city and urban environments have on children’s access to play and ultimately, their overall development.

This also unveils a first-of-its-kind Urban Play Framework. This framework provides a method to understand how various urban systems impact a child’s learning through play experience, ultimately influencing their skills development and ability to thrive and reach their full potential.

You can download the Reclaiming Play in Cities Report by clicking the button, below:

DOWNLOAD THE REPORT

The global play gap and what it means for our children’s futures

Monday January 21st, 2019UncategorizedGemma Chandler

Joyful play | Our favourite activities this month

Wednesday January 16th, 2019UncategorizedGemma Chandler

Riddles and tongue twisters

Let the silliness ensue with this great on-the-go activity that teaches children to spot language quirks and practise their speech skills. What’s great about this activity is that there’s no wrong method – kids are simply encouraged to have fun with it! Expect lots of laughter with this riddles and tongue twisters activity!

Obstacle course

An activity that’s both fun in set-up and in play, building an obstacle course outside is a great way for your children to get creative, active and, well, maybe a bit messy, too! Household items can be used for this fun activity, from cardboard boxes to cushions, pots and pans to chairs! Why not give it a go? Obstacle course activity.

Radio DJ

Give your kids a chance to take over the family playlist – with a twist! Kids will become your very own resident DJ, complete with song selection, announcements, ‘dial-in’ interviews and more! This activity will test their social and communication skills while having a blast at the same time with our Radio DJ activity!

Snap

It’s a tried and tested classic, and simple to boot, but the joy and laughter that Snap creates is undeniable. It’s a simple matching game full of excitement, and will test your children’s reactions and reflexes. Grab a pack of cards and give it a go – or better yet, why not encourage your kids to make their own pack of cards with paired illustrations? How to play snap.

Value of Play Report

Thursday November 29th, 2018UncategorizedGemma Chandler

That is why we’ve released the Value of Play Report. Aimed at policymakers, educators and those shaping the global development agenda, the report explores the scale of the current play deficit, the impact of missed play moments on children’s lives and the reasons behind the ongoing decline in play. It highlights how low-play and play-poverty are fuelling inequality and are behind a looming skills crisis.

You can download the Value of Play Report by clicking the button, below:

DOWNLOAD THE REPORT

Awesome autumnal activities for your children to enjoy

Thursday November 8th, 2018UncategorizedGemma Chandler

Apple bobbing

Apples are in season, and playing with water is a wonderful sensory activity for kids. And not only is apple bobbing a lot of fun, it also helps children to improve their balance, coordination and control. Grab a bucket and why not try our Apple Bobbing activity!

Make a bug pooter

Autumn doesn’t only mean falling leaves – it also means lots of new and exciting insects to discover in your garden! Bug pooters help children look closely at all of the weird and wonderful minibeasts without touching or harming them. As well as learning about nature, it’s a wonderful way for kids to practise observation, communication and fine motor skills. Visit our Bug Pooter activity page to find out more.

Make a kite

Fall is famous for its blustering winds! Why not encourage your children to make and fly their own kite? By combining indoor and outdoor play, this activity will encourage kids to think about the weather as they learn to spot the perfect kite-flying conditions. Why not give it a go using our Make a Kite guide?

Animal spotting

Encourage your kids to head outdoors to check out all of the great species Autumn has to offer. Children can spot different wildlife – the countryside or a local park, for example, or even your own garden. Get some inspiration from our Animal Spotting activity!