– Can Poppy come out to play? – The lost art of playing in the streets
I was in Brighton over the weekend and while I was there I took this snap. I posted it up on my Instagram yesterday and it seemed to really strike a chord with many of you…
“I used to love playing in the streets, dipping in and out of each other’s houses” – @locketvintage
I often notice the lack of street play, which I used to enjoy so much as a child… (and I’m not even that old…) and actually, still enjoy now. We made new friends in the neighbourhood, new mums met other new mums to chat to, families connected, local issues were aired, communities bonded and we felt safe.
I did a little hunt on the internet for more play streets and discovered a wonderful initiative called Playing Out, which has been set up by two mums in Bristol, as a resource for anyone who wants children to be able to play out in the streets where they live.
You’ll find ideas, information, advice, stories and inspiration gathered from people all round the UK and beyond, to help make this possible where you live. From tiny things, like leaving your front door open (which may not feel tiny to some) and saying hi to a neighbour, to bigger community actions, like opening up your street for play…
I’m all for it and think it’s wonderful. And it’s not just for children – when was the last time you had a good old natter with a neighbour you hadn’t met yet? It’s a good feeling… warms you in your belly. Like the best kind of apple crumble. Oooo, apple crumble.
When I was at the Wilderness Festival I went to a talk by David Bramwell, author of The No. 9 Bus to Utopia. He chatted about his book and as part of his talk, brought the concept of Zocalo to our attention:
“Zocalo is an attempt to evoke the spirit of the piazza. In countries like Mexico (where the word zocalo originates) hanging out on the street with friends and neighbours is part of the culture. In England we sometimes need a little coaxing.”
On Zocalo Day, everyone sticks a chair outside their houses and sits on it. That’s it. No red tape, no big committees, no council approving yawn yawn YAWN… If you’re feeling really adventurous, you might even have a cuppa and a piece of cake with your neighbour too…
Here’s a very lovely (very short – 2 mins) video all about it..
So there you go – if hanging out in your street, getting to know your neighbours and playing with the local children dings your bell, then there is something you can do about it.
So, London.. Zocalo Day soon, yes?
Who’s in?
www.brightonzocolo.com
www.playingout.net
Emma Copland
A Zocalo Day is exactly what London needs!! I can’t even imaging a childhood without hanging out on the street. Such a great post.
Poppy Loves
Thank you Emma, I agree! Let’s play 🙂
Candy
Love that the website called ‘playing out’! I grew up in Brighton and that’s EXACTLY what we used to call it!
Owl Girl | A London lifestyle blog
Poppy Loves
Love that. I think it’s time for some more ‘playing out..’! x
Grey
I loved playing with friends in the street – we’d be out all day. Lots of vitamin D, good air and exercise. Promote in a town near you!
Poppy Loves
Lovely comment, Grey 😉 x
Claudia
Oh yes, I was among those who posted a comment on Instagram: me too, when I was a child (Italy, 70s – beginning of 80s….aehm…) I loved to play out with friends, go and have a slice of cake at my friends’ home in the afternoon..! It’s sad nowadays children are locked at home 🙁
As you write: “families connected, local issues were aired, communities bonded and we felt safe.” Totally agree.
Poppy Loves
Thank you for your lovely comment Claudia, Italian cake sounds heavenly to me 😉 xx
Claire
I’d never heard of it before but the Playing Out initiative is such a lovely idea! 🙂
Poppy Loves
Isn’t it Claire? I just love it x