Rethinking Play: How Our Built Environment Shapes Young People’s Wellbeing.

When we talk about getting kids active, we often think about sports clubs, school PE, and organised activities. But what if one of the biggest barriers to movement isn't in the gym or on the pitch — it's right outside their front door? According to the latest Commons Library research briefing, 'Children, Young People and the Built Environment,' our urban design has a profound influence on whether children feel free to roam, play, and connect with their peers. House of Commons Library

The Invisible Walls Around Us.

The briefing reveals a sobering truth: many children lack safe and welcoming outdoor spaces. In England, one in eight children lives in a household without any private or shared garden — a number that rises to one in five in London. House of Commons Library. For these kids, going “outside” doesn’t always mean running around freely; for some, it means going nowhere at all.

Why does this matter? Because time spent outdoors isn’t just about fresh air. Research links access to outside spaces with better mental health, reduced loneliness, and increased physical activity. House of Commons Library. When children don’t have that access, we risk raising a generation that's less active, more isolated, and disconnected from their neighbourhoods.

Barriers Beyond Bricks.

It’s not just about not having a garden. The briefing highlights how cultural and social anxieties restrict children’s freedom. Parents report fears over traffic, strangers, or disruptive neighbours — concerns that make them reluctant to let their children play unsupervised. House of Commons Library: The result? Some kids spend their weekends and evenings indoors, often online, rather than exploring their neighbourhoods.

On top of that, there's a growing “anti-play” culture: complaints about noise, “no-ball-games” signs, even housing management restrictions. House of Commons Library. These barriers can feel subtle, but their effect is profound — slowly eroding the informal, unstructured play that is so important for childhood development.

Who Holds the Keys?

One of the most striking points of the briefing is that responsibility for creating child-friendly built environments is spread across many different sectors. Local councils, transport departments, housing authorities, and even national planning policy all play a role. House of Commons Library

Yet, despite this shared responsibility, the lack of consistent, joined-up planning means that many children’s needs are either overlooked or undervalued. From the way we design our streets, to the rules we enforce in housing estates — these decisions shape the everyday play opportunities for millions of young people.

What Could Change — Because It’s Happening Elsewhere.

The briefing doesn’t just diagnose the problem; it points to inspiring examples of change:

• In Leeds, the local council is actively planning “play sufficiency” schemes to ensure children have enough safe, accessible places to be outside. House of Commons Library

• In Hackney, “No Ball Games” signs are being removed and replaced with messages that celebrate play, actively encouraging children to use public space. House of Commons Library

• Internationally, cities like Vienna are building child-friendly districts, and Rotterdam has created road-space strategies that prioritise children’s movement and free play. House of Commons Library

These examples show that change is possible — but it requires bold thinking, political will, and a willingness to place children at the heart of urban design.

Why This Matters for Why Sports.

At Why Sports, we champion the idea that sport and physical activity are powerful tools for social change. But what this briefing reminds us is that inactivity doesn't always come from disinterest — sometimes it comes from exclusion. If our built environment doesn't support movement, how can we expect young people to embrace sports or more active lifestyles?

Questions we might reflect on:

• Are local authorities, designers, and councils doing enough to prioritise safe, child-friendly public spaces?

• How much of our sport activation strategy is focused on structured programmes — and how much invests in creating the conditions for spontaneous play?

• What role can community organisations (including sports clubs) play in influencing how neighbourhoods are designed or reimagined?

• How can we better advocate for built environment policies that embed free play into the fabric of everyday life?

If we want to build a more active, resilient, and connected generation, we need to rethink how we design our streets, our estates, and our parks. It’s not enough to just build more gyms or run more after-school clubs — we must champion child-centred planning, freedom of movement, and playful environments where young people can explore, meet, and grow without constant adult supervision.

At Why Sports, we believe in practical optimism. Let’s bring together community leaders, urban planners, educators, and policymakers to advocate for neighbourhoods that invite movement, connection, and joy. Because when children feel free to play, we don’t just build healthier bodies — we build stronger, more resilient communities.