When the school year ends, daily routines change. Summer holidays bring opportunities for children to rest, explore, socialise and play. However, they also highlight a reality that often goes unnoticed: not all children have access to the same spaces or the same opportunities for play.

During the school year, much of children’s daily activity takes place in schools, extracurricular programmes and structured environments. In summer, public spaces take on a much more significant role. Parks, playgrounds, squares, green areas and community spaces become essential places for children and families to gather, connect and spend time together.

Play Is Not a Luxury, It Is a Right

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child explicitly recognises every child’s right to rest, leisure and play. Far from being a secondary activity, play is a fundamental need for children’s physical, emotional, social and cognitive development.

Through play, children explore the world around them, develop motor skills, learn to interact with others, resolve conflicts and build independence. Ensuring access to quality play opportunities is therefore a shared responsibility for society as a whole.

The Role of Public Spaces During the Holidays

When the school day disappears from children’s schedules, cities and towns become key settings for childhood experiences. Well-designed public spaces offer far more than entertainment: they create opportunities for inclusion, wellbeing and social connection.

Play areas allow children of different ages, abilities and backgrounds to interact and share experiences that might not occur elsewhere. At the same time, they provide families with safe and welcoming places to meet, relax and participate in community life.

In this sense, playgrounds and play spaces function as true social infrastructure. They support community cohesion, encourage healthy lifestyles and help create more active, connected and resilient neighbourhoods.

Designing Cities That Encourage Play

The quality of play spaces matters. Creating meaningful environments is not simply about installing equipment; it is about designing places that encourage exploration, imagination, movement and social interaction.

The most valuable spaces are those that combine nature, accessibility, diverse play experiences and opportunities for different age groups. Places where every child can find ways to play that match their abilities, interests and needs.

When a city invests in these kinds of environments, it sends a clear message: children matter, and they belong in public space.

An Opportunity to See Cities Through the Eyes of Children

Summer reminds us that cities should not only be designed for movement, work or efficiency. They should also support everyday life, social interaction and play.

Every well-designed park, square or playground creates opportunities for children to exercise their right to play, discover and grow. And every investment in these spaces is ultimately an investment in wellbeing, health and social cohesion.

Because when schools close for the holidays, public spaces become one of the most important classrooms children have.

Are our cities truly prepared to provide every child with opportunities to play, explore and connect during the summer holidays?