The centre, led by Professor Helen Dodd, will examine why children growing up in Britain are playing independently outdoors less. It will also focus on designing and evaluating solutions to benefit children.

The centre has been funded by a philanthropic gift and will bring together specialists in the field to study play. It aims to work in partnership with national organisations and charities to provide evidence that informs policy and practice.

The British Children’s Play Survey, conducted by researchers from Exeter, Stirling and Reading universities, has found that children start playing outdoors without supervision at a later age than their parents’ generation. Parents and caregivers taking part in the survey reported that they typically allowed children out alone at a mean age of almost 11 ( 10.84 years).

Less than half of play for children aged 5-11 happens outdoors, according to the research, which also found regional disparities.

Professor Helen Dodd, director of the Outdoor Play Research Centre, said: “The generational play gap revealed in our new research provides more evidence that children across the country are missing out on opportunities for independent outdoor play. Many of us have fond childhood memories of playing out until the street lights came on, enjoying our first taste of freedom. Yet today’s children are missing out on those same experiences.”

Dodd added: “We want to see a step change for children’s independent outdoor play. We will conduct the scientific research needed to drive this change and work in partnership with a wide range of organisations to deliver it.” 

• Around 2,000 UK parents and caregivers of children aged 5–11 participated in the survey. A pre-print version of the paper, ‘Children’s Play and Independent Mobility in 2025’, can be found here.