Play is the child's way of learning about, adapting to and integrating with his or her environment. In addition to adequate sports and recreation facilities children need a wide variety of opportunities, choices and raw materials that they can use as they see fit for free constructive creative play. Originally published in 1980, these essays, drawn from papers given at the International Playgrounds Association's Seventh World Congress, focus on the social significance of play. However, both the Association and the book itself are not solely concerned with 'playgrounds' in the formal sense; rather, they are concerned with the wide range of play environments that are – or should be – available to children. It is recognised that play opportunities can exist for the child in and around the home (playrooms, backyards), the school and public park (traditional, adventure and creative playgrounds), the institution (day-care centres, hospitals), and the city qua city (the streets and shopping centres). This work is concerned with all these environments, considering the developmental aspects of play in a social context.

The varied contributions from researchers and play leaders from several countries, consider such topics as the importance of play, development through play, leadership training and special groups.