Children's Playgrounds in Spain
Children Prefer Railways Lines to Parks
I recently read an article about how children in the UK are choosing railway lines and building sites over traditional playgrounds as town halls avoiding costly lawsuits have made them too boring. This is even more reason to bring your children to live in Spain, the parks/playgrounds are the best I have ever seen. They offer everything that is required to excercise a child both physically and mentally. There are climbing frames, see-saws, swings, long slides, climbing walls, tunnels and equipment that I couldn't even name. A trip to the park in Spain can be a real learning experience as they give children the opportunity to develop real life skills such as risk assessment, sharing and interaction with others. Not only that, they allow children to move their bodies by climbing, jumping, swinging and generally keeping fit.
Spanish Children Enjoy a Traditionnal Childhood
I appreciate that in the UK the weather is often prohibitive but it is such a pity to think that there are so many children sat in front of the TV or computers because so little is invested in local playgrounds whilst their Spanish counterparts are enjoying the simple pleasures of a more traditional childhood.
Children in the UK Missing Out
One might argue that in Spain, more children live in apartments without gardens so investment in playgrounds can be justified. However, not all children in the UK have the luxury of an equipped garden and even if they do, should they still be denied the opportunity to make new friends and mix with children other than their siblings?
UK Needs Some Inspiration
In Spain the parks are always full of parents and young children making the most of the free facilities on offer. Perhaps, the UK need to take a look for some inspiration. Such parks benefit not only the children but mothers too as it gives them a place to socialise rather than the under cover shopping centres which dominate our leisure culture.