49 h. ago A quarter of Scottish kids don't play unsupervised in green spaces

A new survey reveals that a quarter of Scottish children aged 3–11 never play outside in green spaces unsupervised and neuroscientists say it could be damaging their development.

Politics

49 h. ago Indigenous Australian shell dolls let out for children’s play at UK museum

Twelve dadikwakwa-kwa given to Manchester Museum on condition they are not permanently kept behind glassThey represent a “beautiful friendship” that defies preconceptions, spanning 9,000 miles with a complicated, 70-year history. The 12 dadikwakwa-kwa shell dolls, traditionally used to teach kinship, literacy, numeracy and about women’s health – have been given by the Indigenous Australian Anindilyakwa community to a UK museum on one condition – that children play with them once a year.The relationship between Europe’s museums and the countries and communities where items were taken from has been replete with controversy in recent years. But Manchester Museum cemented a bond with the Anindilyakwa community, the traditional owners of the land and seas of the Groote archipelago in the Gulf of Carpentaria, off the northern coast of Australia, by returning 174 objects in 2023. Continue reading...

Politics

56 h. ago Paul Rouse: Ireland should follow in London's footsteps in promoting access to spaces for play and physical activity for children

Paul Rouse: Ireland should follow in London's footsteps in promoting access to spaces for play and physical activity for children  Irish Examiner

Politics

3 d. ago Emma Corrin reveals playing Princess Diana in The Crown 'changed their life' and was also the 'greatest warning' after being catapulted to superstardom as they pose for quirky Elle shoot

The actor, 29, who is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns, said the role which catapulted them to superstardom both 'changed their life' while also being the 'greatest warning' about fame.

Events

5 d. ago Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden joins young school children for play time

Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden beamed as she joined a group of young school children during playtime - as she kicked off a three-day visit to Nigeria on Monday.

Politics

6 d. ago Olivier awards 2025: Giant, Benjamin Button and Fiddler on the Roof triumph

John Lithgow, Imelda Staunton, Romola Garai and Layton Williams are among the winners at the annual stage awardsOlivier awards: full list of winnersThe play Giant, which portrays children’s author Roald Dahl amid an outcry about his antisemitism, has triumphed at the Olivier awards on a star-studded night at the Royal Albert Hall in London.US star John Lithgow took home the best actor prize for his performance as Dahl, Elliot Levey won best supporting actor (for playing publisher Tom Maschler) and Mark Rosenblatt received the award for best new play. Continue reading...

Events

8 d. ago Mum mortified as she sends professional emails under hilarious name due to kid's prank

A mum was left mortified when her children decided to play a prank on her by messing with her emails - meaning she ended up sending an embarrassing message to their school

Politics

8 d. ago Sir Elton John opens up about ‘distressing’ sight loss and heartbreak of not seeing his children play

In September, Sir Elton revealed in a social media post that a ‘severe eye infection’ had left him limited vision in one eye.

Politics

9 d. ago Parents in Wales being warned of 'very real danger' to children from drug gangs in powerful message

A critically-acclaimed play explores how 'chicken shop gangs' are recruiting children to deal drugs and be part of organised crime gangs, with the offer of free food

Events

9 d. ago Aldi brings back 'super cute' £39.99 mud kitchen just in time for Spring

Mud kitchens have become popular with parents of young children as they encourage creative play

Economics

9 d. ago Appropriate age for letting children play outside alone as Easter holidays approach

If you're considering giving your child more freedom when it comes to venturing out of the house in the school holidays, tips are at hand from a leading children's charity

Politics

1 week ago ‘We are so grateful’: how play therapy can help children after disaster

In North Carolina, kids affected by Hurricane Helene are putting this method, often inaccessible, to the testOn a winter afternoon at the old Methodist church in Swannanoa, North Carolina, a group of young children gathered around a special sandbox. The sand was silky and lavender-scented. The toys inside were carefully chosen: small sections of wooden fence, fist-sized plastic houses, tea lights with battery-operated flames, matchbox-sized police cars and construction machines.In the wake of Hurricane Helene last autumn, these objects took on new meaning in the town of 5,000 miles (8,000km) east of Asheville. The storm downed thousands of trees and knocked out power and water for weeks. Driving water, wind and mudslides swept away people, buildings and fences. Continue reading...

Events

1 week ago Mum's horror after men allegedly seen filming children in Paisley play park

Lyndsey Crawford was enjoying the sunshine in Barshaw Park when a friend - who was in sight of youngsters on the wooden climbing frame - said she thought her son was being filmed by strangers

Events

1 week ago BBC Black Mirror's season 7 cast includes Doctor Who legend and The Crown star

Black Mirror has always attracted a star-studded cast and the seventh season is no exception as Doctor Who icon Peter Capaldi and The Crown's Princess Diana star Emma Corrin join the fold.

Politics

1 week ago Men hunted by police after 'acting suspiciously' at children's play park on Mother's Day

The men are being hunted after being confronted at a children’s play park in Paisley

Events

1 week ago Parents' horror as men 'filmed children' at Scots play park on Mother's Day

Police are now hunting for the two men involved in the incident.

Society

2 w. ago The big picture: a Chad gymnast scores top marks for determination

Behind Antonio López Díaz’s image of the inspirational Achta Derib is a story of how small changes can transform livesThe wall behind her is pockmarked and worn. She’s barefoot against a hard, cracked floor. And yet Achta Derib’s pose in this photograph by Antonio López Díaz, a finalist in the professional sports category at the Sony world photography awards, suggests reserves of determination that will carry her across continents to perform at the highest levels of her sport.For Díaz, who has been documenting her journey since 2019, Derib’s story “stands as a symbol of resilience”. She was one of hundreds of girls from Chad who joined a pioneering gymnastics class at a school outside the capital, N’Djamena. Set up in 2016 by a Chadian Jesuit priest and a Spanish club president, with support from Spain’s Ramón Grosso Foundation, the class was the first of its kind in the central African country, where nearly half the population lives below the poverty line. Chad lacked gymnastic...

Politics

2 w. ago Adolescence’s Erin Doherty: ‘When did I last cry? Oh when was the last time I didn’t?! I cry all the time’

The actor on embracing ageing, people-watching (in a non-creepy way), and dreaming of Kate WinsletBorn in West Sussex, Erin Doherty, 32, studied at the Guildford School of Acting and Bristol Old Vic theatre school. She played Princess Anne in The Crown and the lead in Amazon Prime’s thriller Chloe. In 2022, she starred in The Crucible at the National Theatre and, in 2024, she was in Death of England: Closing Time at @sohoplace theatre, London. She has leading roles in the Disney series A Thousand Blows and Netflix’s hit drama Adolescence. She lives in Surrey.When were you happiest? Mornings. Playing music, fresh coffee, dippy eggs and soldiers, my girlfriend – what’s not to love? Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Stirling dance school ready to share stage with Sigala for world record effort

A group of pupils from the school will head down to Oldham near Manchester to join the DJ and pop star for an attempt to break the record for most dancers on stage with a performer.

Culture

3 w. ago Adolescence star Ashley Walters: 'what's behind male anger? Fear.'

The star of Top Boy has eight children of his own — watching every parent’s worst nightmare play out in Netflix’s hit new show Adolescence is like a horror story, he says

Politics