Pupils 'not allowed to play tag'

Some said they were not allowed to use climbing frames

Children have been banned from playing tag, making daisy-chains and doing hand-stands in school playgrounds over fears of safety, research suggests.

The "culture of caution" led to one school banning running games in case children fell over, a survey by the Children's Society and the Children's Play Council found.

Survey of 500 children

45% can't play with water

36% can't climb trees

27% can't use climbing equipment

23% can't ride bikes and skateboards

Source: Children's Society and Children's Play Council

In one primary school, pupils were stopped from making daisy chains over fears the youngsters could pick up germs from the ground.

Pupils at another primary school were banned from doing handstands after a girl was injured.

And another school banned the use of yo-yos in case they caused injuries.

The findings come as experts grow increasingly concerned that restricting children's play may stifle their mental and physical development and contribute to the growing levels of obesity.

'Boring' playgrounds

Many children also complained that their local public playgrounds were boring and unadventurous.

The survey of 500 UK-based children up to the age of 15 found 45% were not allowed to play with water, 36% were prevented from climbing tress, 27% said they could not play on climbing equipment and 23% were not allowed to ride bikes or use skateboards in local playgrounds.

Is this game risky enough?

Bob Reitemeier, chief executive of The Children's Society, said: "Research has shown that children learn through taking risks and our survey says children want challenging adventurous playgrounds.

"We need to overcome our over cautious culture and let children take a chance on play," he said.

Children's Play Council director Tim Gill said: "There is no one person or body to blame. What is at fault is our culture of caution, which is in danger of stifling our children's development and sense of fun."

Litigious society

But the NASUWT teachers' union hit back at claims of over-caution on the part of teachers, saying schools were forced to be vigilant in an increasingly litigious age.

Deputy general secretary Chris Keates said the concept of a genuine accident had virtually disappeared.

"It is easy for those who do not bear the onerous responsibilities schools have for children's safety to criticise them for responding in this way," said Ms Keates.

"Such criticisms might be better directed at the seemingly growing number of ambulance-chasing solicitors, operating on a no-win-no-fee basis, who encourage parents to make claims for even the most minor incident."

Ms Keates said the NASUWT rejected claims that the danger of schools being sued was exaggerated.

"Many heads, teachers and LEA officers now spend hours of valuable time investigating and responding to solicitors' letters.

"This is regularly cited as one of the major contributory factors to the increasing bureaucratic burdens in schools," she said.

The research was carried out by the Children's Society and the Children's Play Council to mark National Playday on 7 August.