Streets without children playing: how to bring back the fun and reactivate the city

Where do they play now? Let's give the little ones back their place in the city.

In a recent newspaper article, journalist María Valderrama spoke with urban planning philosopher Thierry Paquot, who issued a clear warning: "A city without children playing in the streets is a city that is dying."

Their reflection makes us, as mothers, fathers, and neighbors, think: How can we fill the streets with the laughter and games of our little ones again?

Cities like Paris, Milan, London, Barcelona, ​​and Pontevedra are moving toward safer, more pedestrian-friendly streets. But while we wait patiently for cities to transform, families can create real outdoor play opportunities close to home, in plazas, parks, or community playgrounds. Here's why it matters and how to get started today.

Why is outdoor play essential?

• Motor skills and health : running, jumping, climbing and throwing promote coordination, balance and endurance.
• Creativity : inventing rules, imagining stories, and solving small challenges fuels the imagination.
• Social skills : Turn-taking games, agreements, and cooperation to solve problems; group play teaches children how to live together and puts into practice ways of relating that will serve them well in adulthood.
• Autonomy : Exploring and making decisions in controlled environments builds confidence.
• Emotional well-being : Natural light and movement reduce stress and improve mood.

5 practical ideas for urban families

1. Local Microadventures : Identify a safe route (square–park–bench) and make it your “summer play tour.”
2. Hang out with your neighbors : When several kids are playing together, the street is more vibrant, safe, and fun.
3. Outdoor kit : always carry a ball, a rope, and a reusable bottle. Ready in 30 seconds.
4. Weekly rituals : “Screen-free Wednesdays” or “Kite Sundays” to create a healthy, recurring habit.
5. Choose toys that encourage movement : lightweight, versatile, and easy to share.

Outdoor play allies (our Cucutoys selection)

In our "Move, Imagine, and Discover!" collection, you'll find ideas that turn any space into a play area:

• For moving around and exploring : balance bikes, tricycles, skates, and scooters, with helmets and protective gear for safe play.
• Coordination and dexterity : The Diabolo enhances hand-eye coordination, creativity and socialization, and the jump rope of a lifetime Improves coordination, fosters creativity, strengthens bonds, and promotes healthy physical and emotional development.
• Play with water physics : AquaPlay games, a modular system that teaches water flow while developing gross motor skills.
• Family flying : Djeco kites , perfect for windy days and shared play on the beach or in the park.
• Active play : Soft balls to work on coordination and orientation; and Waboba's Moon Ball and ZAG balls , which bounce and bounce like crazy on land and in the water.
• Play comfortably in the sun : tents with UV50 protection (ideal for the beach, garden or park),
• Play together: rubber or plush bowling , cool off in the showers , andtarget games like magnetic darts or petanque.

How we connect with Paquot's vision

Paquot advocates for cities that prioritize children: calm traffic, wide sidewalks, connected green spaces, and "connecting paths" for walking. While public policies advance—as calmly as ever, so much so that your little one may not be so little anymore when you start to see changes—every family can contribute by igniting play in their environment. Every time a child chases a ball or flies a kite, the city breathes.

Reference: Valderrama, M. (2025). “Thierry Paquot, philosopher of urban planning: 'A city without children playing in the street is a city that is dying.'” El País .

Shall we light up the street? Discover more ideas in our collection and plan your next microadventure.