ABSTRACT
The word ‘beneficial' comes from the Latin word for kindness or service. Children are often given the message that the outdoor environment has been organised for their benefit and that they need to play in it in a certain way. An outdoor environment themed to a topic such as transport doesn't allow children much freedom or room for creativity because it's clear how children are ‘supposed' to play. Conducting an audit with the children is the best way to find out how they see the space, and it doesn't need to be a complicated process. Children are drawn to spaces with multiple play possibilities rather than beautifully manicured areas, and there needs to be a balance between spaces that are cluttered and confusing and adult-friendly spaces that offer no challenge at all.
