The International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA) is a non-profit, membership, trade association that represents and promotes an open market for manufacturers of playground equipment and surfacing. Its Voice of Play initiative promotes growth in the quality and quantity of children's free play and the use of playgrounds. Though 2020 was a complicated year for everyone, a lot of great awareness and education on the importance of play took place!

Due to the isolation of the pandemic and growing social injustices taking place in the U.S., Voice of Play conducted its third annual survey around the importance of play and how it can foster inclusivity and equity on the playground. One thousand parents were surveyed.

 

Some quick highlights include:
• 90% of parents say that spontaneous play with other kids on the playground shape their child's view of equality for all, regardless of race and ability levels.???,???
• 92% of parents agree playing on the playground helps children to be inclusive of others who may have different abilities and backgrounds than their own.
• 88% of respondents said outdoor play helps children cope with the mental impacts of social injustice in the U.S.
• More than 50% of parents said they value public playground environments more today than before the pandemic (even though less than half are actually using public playgrounds).
• 94% of parents are engaging with their children through outdoor play.
• 67% of parents said playing together improved their connection as a family, while 65% said it reduces stress.

This survey also caught the attention of national consumer media, where Parents.com wrote an entire article ("Playgrounds Help Kids Be More Inclusive of Others, New Study Finds") that included several of our survey's statistics. www.IPEMA.org www.voiceofplay.org

As seen in LASN magazine, December 2020.