Bracknell

Over 250 Bracknell Forest children and young people celebrated National Play Day with a fun filled day at Koosa Kids based at Birch Hill Primary School with this year’s theme of ‘Our streets too!’

National Play Day is an initiative co-ordinated by the Children’s Play Council and the Children’s Society. It is a national campaign where thousands of children and young people get out and play at locally organised events.

‘Our streets too!’ highlights the need for change, so that Bracknell children, young people and their families can feel safe and confident about playing in streets and areas near their homes all year round.

The event, organised by Bracknell Forest Early Years and Childcare Team, is designed to support the importance of unstructured play and to encourage children’s social and emotional development.

The day promoted outdoor play and encouraged the children to learn some of the traditional games that are not widely played any more, such as skipping and hop scotch.

Bracknell Children aged between nine months and 14 years took part in the many outdoor activities including skipping, ball games, space hopper racing and giant “messy play” painting area.

Koosa Kids is a fun-filled after school and holiday club that is part funded by Bracknell Forest Borough Council.

The club is the result of many months planning alongside the Bracknell Forest Early Years and Childcare Partnership and aims to offer quality, active, affordable, fun childcare. For more information, visit www.koosakids.co.uk

Cllr Mrs Gill Birch, Mayor of the Borough of Bracknell Forest visited the event and said: “Encouraging play amongst children is so important for their development and it was great to see them getting involved in so many different activities.

“We were really lucky with the weather and I especially enjoyed playing the giant snakes and ladders with the children.”

Martin Gocke, Assistant Director of Children's Access and Inclusion, said: "Play is essential for physical and emotional growth, for mental, intellectual and educational development, and for acquiring social and behavioural skills.

"National Play Day is excellent at promoting play, and the theme of 'Our streets too!' is equally important. It was great to see so many children enjoying the outdoors and making the most of the good summer weather!"

Bracknell Forest Borough Council