Welsh children 'want more play'

Children and parents are being encouraged to play together

Parents in Wales are among the most playful in the UK, but not all children would agree.

Eighty two per cent of mothers and fathers questioned in a NOP poll said they play games with their children every day.

However, 20% of children in Wales say they need even more playtime.

Wrexham council's play co-ordinator Mindy Bell says children need to interact with their peers as much as possible.

Events for Playday on Wednesday are taking place in Wrexham, Cardiff and Swansea, to encourage more children and their parents to play together.

"We're trying to raise the awareness of play amongst children and to show that play is actually the basis of learning and if you get a good opportunity to play as a child then you get a good grounding," said Ms Bell.

It's important to play with your kids otherwise you lose out on a lot of things Mark Humphreys, Wrexham parent

"Even 65-year-olds and 90-year-olds can play and it's very important that we don't just see it as a kid's occupation or leisure pursuit.

"Play isn't just a pastime, it is actually vitally important for children to beable to experience, whatever age.

"Parents quite often think that they are playing with their children because they're giving them something to do but children play in a variety of ways," she added.

Mark Humphreys from Caia Park has four children and says play is an important element of parenting.

"It's important to play with your kids otherwise you lose out on a lot of things," he said.

"You gain their trust, they gain your trust and that's what it's all about....you should spend whatever amount of time you can with your kids.

"With me working in the day, when I come home I want to be with the kids, I don't want to be sat on the settee because I haven't seen them all day."

At Bellevue Park in Wrexham, families took part in a range of activities, from den-making to skate boarding.