Supporting active play
Families, childcare centres, schools and communities need to provide safe,
supervised yet unstructured play spaces for active play, where children and their
peers can engage in physical activity of their own design. This will increase physical
activity levels and promote imagination, social interaction and the ability to learn and
practise skills independently. Exercise play can be enhanced by providing challenging
forms of climbing apparatus (always make sure equipment and spaces meet or exceed
recommended safety standards). Whenever possible, children should be given access
to play spaces and equipment outdoors. Studies have also reported that fewer children
per square metre of outdoor space is a factor in promoting physical activity.