Half term in Fareham – are we playing with the kids..?

We’re coming

to the end of half term and it’s a beautiful day in Fareham – the sun is

shining and, according to the website, it is a balmy 12 degrees outside.

I, on the other hand, am inside writing. It is

difficult when you have to work during the school holidays. On a lovely day

like today my children should really be outside playing.

During my

surfing for fun things for my children to do indoors I found a great website:

ReadyforTen.com – the ‘Parent-powered website’ for parents of children aged 6-9.

On this website I have just been reading about Robinson’s ‘Fruit Shoot’s ‘Parents

for Playgrounds’ - the new campaign to improve outside play areas for children.

Play is what

children do when they follow their own ideas; when they’re not being told what

to do by adults. It shouldn’t be just a time-filler

between home learning tasks – it is an essential part of every child's life and

is crucial for every child’s enjoyment of their childhood. It helps them to

develop socially, emotionally, intellectually and physically. It

is, in fact, their right: UN Convention on Rights of the Child, Article 31.

From 15th

February to 16th March, Mums and Dads can nominate a tired or abandoned

playground, park or play space to win a renovation bursary of £15,000. Robinsons

are defining a ‘playground’ as “Any place where children are able to play

outdoors, from traditional playgrounds to adventure play areas and landscaped

green spaces.” A short list of selected playgrounds will then be chosen by Robinsons

Fruit Shoot, Patsy Kensit, who is the Guest Editor for theReadyforTen website, and Play

England, part of the children's charity National Children’s Bureau - the

leading national charity which supports children, young people

and families.

From 23 March

till 20th April the nation can then vote on the shortlisted play

areas. If your playground is shortlisted, the ReadyForTen team will help you to

rally support in your community and generate as much public awareness as you

can, in order to give it more votes and a better chance of winning.

Up to five

playgrounds can win the bursary and these will be announced on 27th

April. Renovations will begin in May and should be complete in time for the summer

holidays.

To read more

about the campaign and to nominate or vote on a play area, look at the

ReadyForTen website.

With that, my

story is finished - I’m off to take my children to the park!

What have you

done with yours this week?