In the urgent letter, Dave Ensberg-Kleijkers, director and chief executive of Jantje Beton, points out that children are still very fond of playing outside. A large majority of children (65%) say they would like to play outside more often; this figure is even higher in urban areas. Children want to, but often cannot. Ensberg says: “As adults and policymakers, we need to do something. Otherwise, we will soon have an entire generation of children who only sit indoors. We find that unacceptable. Playing outside is enormously important for children’s personal, physical, mental and social development.”
In the letter, Jantje Beton urges mayors to engage in dialogue, together with their ‘outdoor play alderman’, with the experts by experience when it comes to playing: the children. “Give them a voice and listen to their tips and challenges regarding outdoor play in your municipality. And embed the importance of outdoor play in your policies. Because every child should play outside, every day.”
According to Jantje Beton, National Outdoor Play Day on 14 June is the perfect opportunity to engage in dialogue with all these experts by experience. Jantje Beton advises the mayors to do so together with their counterpart: the child mayor.