The Association of Play Industries and its member companies promote play in any format, as it is widely recognised as vital for children’s development, provides opportunities for social interaction, and keeps children fit and active.

Statistics from the most recent large-scale survey in the UK (2008) shockingly revealed that 16.8% of boys and 15.2% of girls aged between two and 15 years were classed as obese – and these appalling figures show little sign of slowing or improving.

Obesity currently costs the country around £2 billion annually and shortens lives by an average of nine years, due to the associated health problems.  Some health experts even believe we will soon see parents outliving their children.

Play is a very emotive word which means different things to different people, and has been defined in many ways. The meaning of play has been debated by philosophers and academics for centuries, and was recognised as far back as Plato who is quoted as saying 'avoid compulsion and let your children play'! In the last century David Lloyd George stated that 'play is a child's first claim on the community' (1926), and play gained wider recognition under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in which Article 31 enshrines the child's right to play.

Children spend a considerable proportion of their time in early year’s provision, school or other childcare environments, therefore play provision in these different settings should actively aim to include the widest range of children and young people.  Inclusive play and the variety of age ranges, culture, ethnicity or social and economic backgrounds should also be considered.

Whilst there is always the option of choosing product from a catalogue, the Association of Play Industries top tip for schools is to communicate their desired social, physical and educational outcomes to a proven school play area designer. Through this open dialogue with head teachers, governors, PTA, teachers, parents and the community, a good designer will be able to produce a bespoke and unique design that achieves the desired requirements. It seems obvious, but this two-way learning process is essential for designers to excel - and for the school to appreciate what is achievable. There is so much that is exciting and new, as modern play equipment is designed to offer excitement and challenge, risk and reward while enhancing motor and coordination skills, achieving ‘hidden exercise’ in the battle against obesity in children - and to be fun. From story circles to fitness trails, play cabins to climbing frames, choice has never been greater.

In selecting partners for play provision projects a good place to start is with the list of members of the Association of Play Industries www.api-play.org from here there are links to members’ websites to help in the search for examples of play projects for other schools.