How did you play as a child?

Bant Mag’s article, “Küçükken nasıl oynardınız?” - How Did You Play as a Child? - takes a deep dive into this topic. It’s not just about playing as a kid, but about how play is a crucial part of being human. The article says that as we grow up, we start to see play in different ways. Even things like cooking or taking care of plants can be considered play if you do them without feeling like you have to.

The article also talks about the urban environment and how it often doesn’t have enough places for kids to play. It’s a shocking statistic: a study from 2016 found that many kids spend as little time outside as a prisoner’s allowance for playing outside. The article goes beyond the usual playgrounds with swings and slides. It talks about play spaces that encourage kids to interact and use their imagination. These spaces might have hills to climb and slide down, sand and water areas, and different textures.

The article goes further and talks about the simple joys of childhood play, like making mud pies or building a makeshift waterslide. It also questions whether modern cities really see and take care of their youngest, most playful kids. It’s a call to think about how we design our environments and to remember how important it is to have fun without a plan.