National Assembly for Wales

To propose that the Senedd:

1. Welcomes the fact that Wales was the first country in the world to legislate for children’s right to play, and that Cardiff is the UK’s first UNICEF-accredited Child Friendly City.

2. Acknowledges that for children under 11, play areas with swings, slides and other equipment to play are really important.

3. Notes that the 'What children say about play in Wales: 2025' report by Play Wales found that in several areas, play equipment was described as outdated, broken or suitable only for younger children, and that many had called for investment in spaces for older children and teenagers, especially in Anglesey, Denbighshire and Caerphilly.

4. Regrets that overall satisfaction with opportunities to play has declined from 84 per cent in 2019 to 71 per cent in 2025, and that a notable 25 per cent are not permitted to play independently.

5. Calls on the Welsh Government to safeguard children’s access to play by:

a) strengthening the duty under section 11 of the Children and Families (Wales) Measure 2010 so that local authorities must secure sufficient play opportunities in a playground for each community;

b) developing ways to publicise safe and local places to play;

c) safeguarding playgrounds from local authority cuts;

d) supporting community groups who have taken over responsibility for playgrounds; and

e) tackling the fact that children, especially disabled, in rural and deprived areas often have greater access to outdoor spaces, but encounter greater issues with maintenance, accessibility and inclusivity.