Child’s play a free-for-all

A special community space in Yarrabilba is turning the clock back on the way children play.

Building a ‘fort’, climbing a homemade tower or just playing in mud is all part of the fun at the Yarrabilba Community Backyard, developed by not-for-profit organisation Australian Institute of Play.

‘It’s about letting kids shape the space and letting them play however their creativity and curiosity guides them,’ the organisation’s CEO Hyahno Moser says.

‘Because of a range of reasons, many children can’t play how they might like in the places where they live.’

‘The Community Backyard provides opportunities for kids to get back to the type of play that always has been an important part of childhood.’

The play space is located on the Yarrabilba State Secondary College grounds. Opening day in June attracted 187 children along with their parents and carers.

Division 4 Councillor Nathan St Ledger says the Yarrabilba Community Backyard is one of only 6 in Australia and mirrors an award-winning similar play space in Eagleby South.

‘This is a terrific way to let young children get back to the basics by using their imagination and creativity to shape how they play,’ Cr St Ledger says.

‘There’s a need for this in Yarrabilba as some properties have only limited backyard space. And to help offset cost-of-living pressures, it’s an after-school activity that’s free.’

Children attending are supervised by qualified ‘Play Workers’, which include local mums Crystal Marsh and Jamilla Bowden.

The play space is at Yarrabilba State Secondary College (entry via Slate Street gate). Free sessions are Monday and Tuesday (2:45 pm to 5 pm during school terms and 2 pm to 4 pm in school holidays).

Learn more on the Logan City Council website.

Photo at top: Cr Nathan St Ledger with some of the children who regularly attend the Yarrabilba Community Backyard free play space.