Play

Children playing

What is Play ?

Play is what children and young people do when they follow their own ideas, in their own way, for their own reasons.

Play offers children and young people

  • The opportunity to enjoy freedom and to exercise choice and control over their actions
  • Opportunities to test boundaries and explore risk.
  • A wide variety of physical, social and intellenctual experiences
  • The opportunity to socialise and develop respect for their peers.

Play can -

  • Develop a child's independence, and self esteem.
  • Support a child's well being, health growth and development.
  • Promote a child's creativity and capacity to learn.

Play in Darlington

Darlington has been awarded government funding to renew and refurbish, build and restore play areas in 22 locations across the Town over the next two years.

Play rangers can be seen in many outdoor locations across Darlington, they are there to enable children to access child initiated play in the outdoors. Ring Groundworks [external link] on 01325 353791 for more details of times and venues.  

Play schemes operate in various locations across Darlington, after school and in school holidays for school aged children. Contact Families Information Services on 0800 917 2121 for more details, alternatively you can email them on fis@darlington.gov.uk.

There are lots of play opportunities for children under five in Darlington's Children's Centres. Contact individual centres for details.