People Fixing the World - The power of play

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Play is essential to children’s development – kids learn about themselves and the world around them by having fun and taking risks. In some countries scientists have linked a decline in free play with a rise in children’s mental health problems. In this programme we visit a playground called “the land” where no parents are allowed in! This highly-regarded project in Wales now supports adults too, an approach dubbed “play-based community development”. Plus we visit a “soft play” centre in Los Angeles, USA, one of a chain of play spaces that have been created specifically for autistic children and their families.

Presenter: Myra Anubi
Reporters: William Kremer, Emma Tracey
Producer: William Kremer
Editor: Jon Bithrey
Sound mix: Hal Haines

(Image: Children at The Land adventure playground in North Wales, BBC)

Published on Tuesday, 16th September 2025.

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