Play is what the doctor should be ordering

Play, should be just what the doctor ordered, according to the Play Providers Association (PPA).

In response to Health Secretary Andy Burnham’s attempt to get family doctors to prescribe activity programmes as a treatment, the PPA is urging the government to introduce funded access to indoor play centres for children under 12 years old.

The PPA is the trade association representing indoor play centre operators, and believes play in this capacity is really “exercise in disguise”.

The average play centre charges around £4.75 for a two hour session and the association believe it to be an essential part of activity programmes prescribed to child patients.

Chair of the PPA, Janice Dunphy says: “Indoor Play is an excellent source of exercise. Children literally don’t stop when they enter an indoor play centre and spend most of their time climbing, jumping, running, swinging and sliding.

“Most centres offer an extensive range of play equipment that challenges young minds as well as developing movement skills and providing more than the government’s recommended 60 active minutes per day. The beauty of exercise in play centres compared with more structured activities is that the health benefits of indoor play are hidden. Children are working at their own pace and all they know is that it is great fun.”