From placemaking to playmaking
Getting outside to play is one of the best ways to connect. It provides the building blocks for children’s confidence, and gives them an opportunity to learn about the world around them.
Whether it’s a play park, a walking track, a community garden, or a bench to watch the world go by. In new communities like ours, these play, nature and community spaces are more important than ever.
So we’re continuing to put play at the heart of our communities. At the heart of a Better Way to Live.
Scroll on to discover our second annual play report and meet our ‘Junior heads of play’.
Key findings from our play report
Working with experts in the field, we’ve launched a report titled ‘Breaking the Grass Ceiling: The Second Annual Community Play Report’.
Our research has found children continue to play outside for two thirds less time, on average, than their parents’ generation. Ahead of the summer school holidays, the survey of 2,000 parents, grandparents and young people revealed the generational grass ceiling divide is already evident and raising concerns. Incredibly, over 5 million parents in the UK say their children have no access to outdoor play or nature spaces within safe walking distance to their home.
Two in five parents believe their children will lack a sense of adventure (40%), have poorer mental health (34%) and increased social anxiety (28%) as a result of a lack of outdoor play.
Hear from Professor Helen Dodd, our Group Master Planning Director Kevin Parker and our 2023 Junior Heads of Play, Willow and Indy.
Getting back to nature
The decline in outdoor play is leading to a growing desire for more green spaces, a third (33%) of Brits admit they’d be attracted to a new home that has these or woodland nearby to explore.
With half of Gen Z’ers saying they couldn’t name common garden insects (57%), or tell the difference between a Marigold and Petunia (86%), our second annual community play report is designed to help inspire and encourage people to play out in nature and embrace the great outdoors over the school holidays.
It’s part of a wider business commitment to incorporate nature into the heart of every one of our developments across the country, ensuring every home has access to plenty of green spaces.
Introducing our junior heads of play
Meet Willow and Indy, who were appointed our Junior Heads of Playmaking in 2023. We ran a nationwide search for young residents across the country to design their dream play area. From rock-climbing walls, tree ziplines, and dancing gazebos we had some fantastic entries to choose from.
Since their appointment, Willow and Indy have been advising on their favourite play areas and equipment, to help inform our approach to community, belonging and placemaking for years to come.
In 2024, we will appoint another Junior Head of Playmaking to join Willow and Indy, helping us to incorporate even more nature spaces and adventure play across our communities. Keep an eye on our social channels this summer for how you can enter!
For the second year running, we’re recruiting more ‘Junior Heads of Play’ to design fun and welcoming play spaces across our developments
For all their hard work and design of their dream play area, we will reward the ‘Junior Head of Play’ and their family with £250 Argos vouchers.
August 3rd - 11am to 2pm
Midlands
August 10th, 1pm – 4pm
Yorkshire
August 10th, 11am – 4pm
Lancashire
August 10th, 11am – 3pm
Eastern
August 10th, 11am – 3pm
Eastern
August 10th, 10.30am – 2.30pm
Eastern
August 17th, 10am – 2pm
Eastern
August 17th, 11am – 3pm
Eastern
7th August - 28th August, 2024
Outdoor Play Competition
It’s all things play for us this month and whilst we’re continuing to place it at the centre of our communities, we want to hear from you.
- Head over to our competition post on Facebook, X or Instagram.
- Like the post and tell us what your favourite outdoor game was and why with #RedrowCompetition.
- For a bonus entry, tag who you played it with.
Good luck!
Outdoor games for all the family
Encourage and inspire children to play
Keep kids entertained this summer
