Why We Need Adventure Playgrounds

Saskia Cookson

WE WANT PLAY! WE WANT PLAY!  What do British bombsites, Danish junkyards and Parliament Square have in common? They’re all part of the wild, brilliant story of adventure play in the UK. Adventure playgrounds aren’t just places to climb and swing. They’re spaces of freedom, resilience, and community. In this episode, Saskia Cookson visits Triangle in South London and SOAP in Oxford to explore the history and future of adventure play. With voices from playworkers, campaigners, and — most importantly, children — we hear why these free spaces matter more than ever. Learn more here:  Triangle Adventure PlaygroundSouth Oxford Adventure Playground (SOAP)https://londonadventureplaygrounds.org.uk/ https://oxonplay.org.uk/ Presented and produced by Saskia Cookson. Artwork by Saskia Cookson and Oliver Bowbrick. Main theme: “New Old Toy” by Podington Bear. Includes archive material from Newsround Extra (BBC, 1981).

About

WE WANT PLAY! WE WANT PLAY!  What do British bombsites, Danish junkyards and Parliament Square have in common? They’re all part of the wild, brilliant story of adventure play in the UK. Adventure playgrounds aren’t just places to climb and swing. They’re spaces of freedom, resilience, and community. In this episode, Saskia Cookson visits Triangle in South London and SOAP in Oxford to explore the history and future of adventure play. With voices from playworkers, campaigners, and — most importantly, children — we hear why these free spaces matter more than ever. Learn more here:  Triangle Adventure PlaygroundSouth Oxford Adventure Playground (SOAP)https://londonadventureplaygrounds.org.uk/ https://oxonplay.org.uk/ Presented and produced by Saskia Cookson. Artwork by Saskia Cookson and Oliver Bowbrick. Main theme: “New Old Toy” by Podington Bear. Includes archive material from Newsround Extra (BBC, 1981).