Explore Play Wales
Today (6 August 2025), thousands of children and their families will be out playing in neighbourhoods and at local events across Wales celebrating Playday, an annual awareness day to emphasise the importance and value of play in youngsters’ lives.
We asked almost 8,000 children and teenagers in Wales to tell us what’s good and what’s not so good about the opportunities to play in their local area. This is what they told us.
Time to play
‘I have no interest in sports and there’s nothing else available locally for children like me.’
Despite the heartening statistic that 5,477 children and teenagers play outside most days or at least a few days each week, there are still challenges for some children. Notably, 37% of disabled children are more likely to never, or hardly ever play out. Additionally, 24% of children and teenagers across Wales report that they do not have enough time to play and would like more opportunities.
Spaces to play
‘Not enough autism friendly play areas which can be too busy and scare me.’ Boy, aged 10
Whilst 72% of children and teenagers are satisfied with the range of spaces they can play or hang-out in, there are concerns. For instance, 23% of disabled children and 15% of minority ethnic children say they don’t feel safe when they play or hang out.
Freedom to play
‘Older people need to stop being so grumpy when kids have fun.’ Girl, aged 10
Over 1,000 children and teenagers told us that adults are grumpy about them playing out in their neighbourhoods. Adult grumpiness is more commonly experienced by:
- older children (18%)
- disabled children (16%)
- boys (16%).
‘Parents are uneasy about us going out alone without adult supervision.’ Girl, aged 8
The survey findings also show that more girls aren’t allowed to play out on their own compared to boys – especially younger girls (36%).
Giving children plenty of good quality spaces, enough time and freedom to play with their friends is crucial for their happiness, health, development and wellbeing.
Whilst we are pleased that the picture presented by children and teenagers across Wales is that they are allowed out, feel safe, and able to play in the places they want to, and overall are satisfied with their opportunities to play, there is room for improvement.
Some groups of children and teenagers stand-out in their reporting of low satisfaction with their opportunities to play. These include disabled children and teenagers and minority ethnic children and teenagers. We will continue to campaign for more and better opportunities to play for every child in Wales, on Playday and every day of the year.
Mike Greenaway, Director of Play Wales, said:
‘Many of today’s grandparents will have fond memories of growing up in a time when children played outside, in and around their neighbourhoods with friends. This is what everyone did. When they were children the environment around their homes held a magic where they could play. Although there are more cars on the road now, that magic is still there if only children are allowed out to discover it.
Children living and playing in Wales tell us that having good spaces to play with friends near where they live is really important to them. Their requests for more tolerance and time to play are reasonable asks and all adults should be looking at ways to make it easier for children to play – everyday, like their grandparents did.’
As Playday is celebrated across the UK, national play organisations are also calling for more inclusive and welcoming spaces where children and young people of all ages and abilities can play freely and feel part of their communities.