Almost a third of Welsh children under five aren’t getting enough outdoor play

A new report from Public Health Wales has revealed that 29 per cent of children under five in Wales are not getting enough time outdoors despite 97 per cent of parents thinking it is important for children to play outside.

Public Health Wales has recommended that children under five who are able to walk should be having at least three hours of active play per day.

The survey was carried out as part of Every Child Wales, Public Health Wales’ new programme to improve the health and wellbeing of children under five.

Dr Julie Bishop, director of health improvement for Public Health Wales said: “Playing outdoors every day is a great way to help your child grow into a fit and healthy adult and will encourage them to stay active beyond their childhood.

“Time outside is a wonderful way to spend quality time with your child as well as being a great stress reliever from the busy life of a parent.”

In support of Every Child Wales, Marianne Mannello, Play Wales’ assistant director added: “There is increasing concern about the mental and physical health of children and young people. Research suggests that given the opportunity, children get wide-ranging exercise as well as a significant mental health benefits from freely chosen play.

“Children start their active lives through play. When given the opportunity to play, children are likely to be physically active by running, jumping, dancing, climbing, digging, lifting, pushing and pulling. For children, play can also be fun and relaxing, a way of relieving or having time away from anxiety and stress.”

Smaller Text •Beaufort Research undertook a survey on behalf of Public Health Wales consisting of a total of 1,503 telephone interviews with parents and carers of children aged 0 to 5 in Wales, between 11 April and 6 June 2017.