Get Kids to Play Space, where to play?

Vijay Krishnamurthy

Saumil Majmudar

Saumil Majmudar, an alum of IIT-Bombay and IIM-Bangalore and co-founder and CEO of Sportz Village, one of India’s pioneer sports education companies which runs its EduSports programme in 600 schools countrywide, and Vijay Krishnamurthy, an alumnus of Bangalore University and New Jersey Institute of Technology, USA, sports research scholar and executive coach (ICF) with 25 years of global experience in tech design, sports entrepreneurship and management research, recently co-authored Get Kids to Play (2024). This insightful book educates parents and school leaders about the importance of physical activity and ways and means to motivate children to play. Excerpt:

Imagine a world where every child could access sprawling playgrounds, where soccer fields and cricket pitches were as common as grocery stores. Would Brazil still be a soccer powerhouse? Would India still be a cricket-loving nation? The answer might surprise you.

In his best-selling book Goldmine Effect, Rasmus Ankersen explores this paradox. Despite having less access to formal play spaces than their European counterparts, he points out that South American children play more. They don’t need a soccer field; they make do with whatever space they have.

But what happens when even makeshift playgrounds start to disappear? Across India, open spaces for children to play have dwindled dramatically. It begs the question: Is limited space a real barrier to play? And if so, what can be done about it?

Let’s rewind the clock to your own childhood. How many times did you actually play in a full-size playground? If you’re like most people, the answer is probably “not often.” Adults often see spaces through a different lens. We think of large playgrounds and arenas, but a child’s perspective differs. Their brains are like masterful architects, optimizing every square inch available to them.

Children are the ultimate opportunists when it comes to play. No playground? No problem. They’ll turn the streets into their arena. Is the street too dangerous? They’ll colonize the parking lots. And if those get filled with cars, they’ll find unused corridors, hallways, and even the home’s terrace, balcony, or garden. It’s as if children come equipped with a built-in GPS for play, rerouting whenever they hit a roadblock.

Now, this isn’t to say that the disappearance of open spaces isn’t a concern. It is. But it’s also testament to children’s resilience and adaptability. They don’t see barriers; they see opportunities. They don’t see limitations; they see a challenge that can be overcome.

How Play Vanished From The Streets

Once upon a time, the streets of India’s cities were more than just thoroughfares for cars and pedestrians. They were playgrounds, arenas where children honed their cricket skills, played tag, or engaged in a myriad of other games. But like a magician’s trick, the stage has vanished, leaving us wondering where it went.

The culprit? Rapid urbanization. As cities expanded, so did the number of vehicles on the road. The streets, once a haven for children, became hazardous zones, choked with traffic and exhaust fumes. But the streets weren’t the only casualties. Vacant plots of land, those secret gardens where imaginations ran wild, were swallowed up by concrete jungles or turned into dumping grounds.

This isn’t a phenomenon confined to a single city; it’s a nationwide trend.

Can Streets Be Revived For Play?

Given the constant traffic flow, the idea that neighborhood streets could ever be safe spaces for children to play seemed like a distant dream. However, the power of community action proved me wrong, turning that dream into a reality.

The ‘Happy Streets’ initiative of the Times of India was a game-changer. Every Sunday, some of the busiest roads in the neighborhood were closed to vehicles, transforming them into playgrounds for children and adults. People could run, cycle, play cricket, engage in Zumba, or partake in other physical activities. This wasn’t just a one-off event but a recurring weekend feature, thanks to the collaboration between local resident associations, the municipal government, and traffic police.

Even more fascinating was how this initiative attracted the attention of sponsors, particularly sports retailers, who enhanced the experience for everyone involved. Could this be a social movement to restore play on the streets, which was dearly missed due to urbanization? Can citizens in residential areas put together other solutions in partnership with the local authorities?

What can parents in independent homes do about limited space?

Residents of independent homes aka bungalows possess a unique opportunity to transform their streets into vibrant play zones. Imagine every driveway as a potential stage in a grand venture for community play.
Programs like ‘Happy Streets’ are the heartbeat of a thriving, child-friendly urban culture. They represent a larger global movement acknowledging streets as public assets rather than mere thoroughfares for vehicles.
You can contact your local authorities to participate in or spearhead such initiatives. This signals a commitment to a more livable, breathable city. Cities like Bogotá, Colombia, have led the way with their ‘Ciclovía’ program, where major streets are closed to cars every Sunday, transforming into playgrounds for millions.
Consider creating modular, multi-purpose play spaces that can adapt to changing needs. The future of urban play lies in flexibility. Modular play spaces that can adapt from a hopscotch court today to a mini-soccer field tomorrow are becoming increasingly essential. In dense urban environments where space is a premium, multifunctional design ensures that play areas can evolve with the changing needs and interests of children.
Safety is paramount in every initiative. This entails physical safety through using nets and soft play equipment and creating environments where children feel secure to explore and grow. It’s about designing spaces free from hazards, actively promoting well-being, and ensuring that every child can thrive without fear. This approach extends beyond the physical layout to encompass the community’s attitude, where every member is a guardian of the collective play space.

What can parents in apartment complexes do about limited space?

Before settling into an apartment complex, assessing the layout for open spaces and play infrastructure is essential. Look beyond the glossy brochures and model units; ask about the square footage dedicated to play areas, the safety measures in place, and how these spaces are maintained.
Reimagining shared spaces is vital. Gardens, rooftops, and parking lots can transform into dynamic play zones. In Singapore, a movement towards ‘vertical playgrounds’ has seen the rise of apartment complexes with integrated play structures, gardens, and community farms, turning the very buildings we inhabit into landscapes of play and interaction. Collaborating with neighbors to establish designated times and areas for play can ensure that these spaces meet the diverse needs of various age groups, fostering a sense of shared ownership and respect among residents.
Upon settling in, forming a Resident Welfare Association (RWA) presents an opportunity to proactively shape the community’s culture. Advocating for a Sports Committee within the RWA can help create a structured approach to nurturing a vibrant, active lifestyle for children. This committee can conduct assessments of the play areas to determine how they can be used most effectively, perhaps even scheduling different activities throughout the week to cater to various age groups and interests.
Another crucial strategy is organizing regular sports events. In Barcelona, community sports days have become neighborhood highlights, bringing together families and fostering a sense of belonging and collective pride. By ensuring these events are a staple in the community calendar, parents can guarantee that children have consistent opportunities for physical activity, regardless of season.

Facilitating dialogue between children and adults serving on various committees is vital. Children have unique insights into how they use and perceive communal spaces. Engaging them in the decision-making process ensures that the solutions devised are genuinely in tune with their needs. In some progressive communities in Scandinavia, ‘child architects’ are consulted for playgrounds design, resulting in spaces that are fun, safer, and more engaging. The goal is to foster a culture of mutual respect and collaboration, where playtime is recognized as a valuable and vital aspect of children’s daily lives.

In such nurturing environments, where every voice is heard, and every square foot is cherished, the blueprint of a new urban reality is drawn. This leads us to a utopian dream.

(Excerpted from Get Kids to Play, Notion Press, 2024, 194 pgs)