A landmark study from the newly launched Outdoor Play Research Centre at the University of Exeter has revealed a striking finding for the capital: while outdoor play drops steadily across the rest of Britain as children grow older, London reverses the trend, with outdoor play levels rising again from age nine.

The research, led by child psychologist Professor Helen Dodd and surveying nearly 2,000 UK parents for the paper Children’s Play and Independent Mobility in 2025, paints a stark national picture of a widening “generational play gap” – but highlights London as a unique bright spot for older primary school children.

Nationally, the study underlines how much childhood independence has been squeezed over a single generation, with children across the UK now nearly 11 years old (10.8 years on average) before they are allowed out to play without an adult. This is more than a year older than their parents’ generation, who reported playing out at age 9.7 years. Over half (56 per cent) of parents admitted they allow their children independent play later than they were permitted themselves. Meanwhile, street play has fallen to an average of less than 25 minutes a week nationwide, for what was historically a staple of neighbourhood childhood. Less than half of 5-to-11-year-olds’ play now happens outdoors, despite clear scientific evidence linking outdoor, adventurous play to lower anxiety, happier moods, and better overall wellbeing.

Researchers cite busy roads, increased screen time, changes in social norms, and a lack of quality local spaces as key drivers behind the national delay.

The London exception

But while children’s outdoor and adventurous play steadily declines as they get older across most of Britain, London bucks this trend with outdoor play levels climbing again in later primary school (from around age nine onwards). While the report highlights this statistical difference without isolating a cause, London Play believes the capital’s unique urban fabric and community infrastructure may explain why older children are regaining their freedom.

Commenting on the findings, Fiona Sutherland, Director of London Play, said:

“The Exeter research confirms what many parents feel: national barriers like traffic and screens are delaying children’s independent play. But the fact that London bucks this trend from age nine is incredibly telling.

“In London, high urban density means local parks and friends are closer, while lower car ownership and free bus travel for children offers an early taste of independent mobility. Furthermore, around ages nine and ten, London parents actively build their children’s confidence in navigating the city ahead of the transition to secondary school.

“Crucially, London also benefits from a rich network of staffed adventure playgrounds, local play streets, and estate-based projects. When we provide safe, dedicated, and adventurous spaces within local communities, children in the capital will eagerly step outside and reclaim their freedom to play.”

Speaking on the launch of the Outdoor Play Research Centre, Director Professor Helen Dodd commented:

“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… Importantly, we know that independent outdoor play is linked to better health and wellbeing, including lower anxiety, more positive emotions and more physical activity—some of the key childhood health challenges that we currently face.”

As the Outdoor Play Research Centre builds the national evidence base, London Play will continue working across the capital to safeguard adventure playgrounds, open up residential streets, and ensure every child in London gets the space and support they need to play out safely.

A pre-print version of the paper, ‘Children’s Play and Independent Mobility in 2025’, is available via the University of Exeter Outdoor Play Research Centre.