Free play sessions offered in healthy living campaign

The Play4Life scheme, which runs throughout September, has been launched by the Play Providers Association (PPA).
The PPA describes the visits children can make to indoor play centres as ‘exercise in disguise’, and points out that the benefits go beyond the physical, as children at play will interact with their peers and make new friends, developing their social skills.
Janice Dunphy, chair of the PPA, said, ‘Indoor play is a great way for children to let off steam, and the beauty is that the British weather cannot spoil it. Because children are having fun, they won’t even realise what they’re doing is helping them stay healthy.
‘Parents can also relax knowing that their children are safe, particularly in our PPA member centres, where they follow a code of conduct and undertake regular safety inspections.’
The play scheme is linked to the Government’s Change4Life campaign, which aims to get people living longer by doing more exercise and eating well.
A spokesman for the Department for Children, Schools and Families said, ‘Change4Life wants to see a society in which everyone recognises the importance of free active play in children’s lives, with parents encouraging it, the community smiling upon it and children going for it.’
The free play is being funded by the 75 play centres taking part in the campaign.
To claim the PPA’s Play4Life free play, parents can visit www.playproviders.org.uk, where they will find details of their local participating PPA member play centre.
During September each participating centre will offer customers either the chance for two children to play for the price of one, a return-for-free voucher, or a 50 per cent discount off entrance.