A new report says that ‘no ball games’ signs should be banned, as part of a range of measures designed to protect children’s right to play.

The Raising the Nation Play Commission was a year-long inquiry that published its final report last week on the International Day of Play.

The report, Everything to Play For: A Plan to Ensure Every Child in England Can Play, says that “opportunities to play in England are being eroded (worn down), due to a growing culture of hostility towards children playing”.

The report adds that Scotland and Wales are “improving opportunities and attitudes towards play”.

Although ‘no ball games’ signs are a common sight in England, with 7,000 in London alone, the report points out that you can’t be stopped from playing and the signs have no place in law. The report says they should be banned but, for now, feel free to use them as goalposts!

Fewer chances to play

When the commission polled parents, they found that 76% (three-quarters) said people are generally less tolerant of kids playing in the street now compared to when they were children.

Some of the things that stop children playing outside include an increase in traffic and parked cars, worries about crime and gangs, and increasing phone use.

The report also says that new housing developments should include places to play, and asks the government to commit to a National Play Strategy for England, helping to “give children their childhoods back”.