International Day of Play: Creating Space for Play in High-Density Urban Settings

On this International Day of Play, we celebrate the transformative power of play in every child’s life. At Children in Crossfire, we know that play is not just a pastime – it’s a fundamental part of early learning and development. But what happens when the physical space and opportunity for play is missing? This is the challenge faced by many children in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – a city grappling with the consequences of rapid urbanisation. 

 

When Cities Crowd Out Childhood 

 

Dar es Salaam is one of the fastest-growing cities in Africa. As urban sprawl continues, many families find themselves living in high-density, low-income communities, where every inch of land is claimed. In these environments, children often have no safe, accessible space to play, let alone environments that enable play. 

 

Unlike rural areas, where open land and nature offer children the chance to play and learn outdoors, cities like Dar present a stark contrast. The concrete landscape of informal settlements in Dar leaves little room for exploration, creativity, and physical movement – all vital components of a child’s development. 

Transforming Early Learning in Dar es Salaam 

 

This is where our project – Transforming Early Learning in High-Density Low-Income Urban Dar es Salaam – makes a meaningful difference. At the heart of this initiative is a simple, powerful idea: every child deserves the opportunity to learn through play, no matter where they live. 

 

Working with 50 day care centres (DCCs) across the city, to date, we have: 

• Provided low-cost learning and play materials to centres that previously had very little. 

• Trained carers and teachers with the knowledge and tools to create play-based learning environments. 

• Renovated basic infrastructure to make spaces safer, more stimulating, and better suited for young children. 

This wasn’t a one-time intervention. Alongside the initial training, our teams provided ongoing mentorship and support, ensuring that new practices took root and were sustained. The results speak volumes: every one of the 50 centres improved significantly, and 10 centres have now achieved formal government registration – a major milestone, considering that none were registered at the start of the project. 

 

Reclaiming Space for Play 

 

What we’ve learnt is that creating space for play doesn’t always require vast fields or expensive equipment. It requires intention, creativity, and commitment. Through our work, once-overlooked corners have become mini play havens, and carers who once taught primarily through repetition and memorisation, now facilitate joyful, engaging learning through song, movement, storytelling, and games. 

 

As we mark International Day of Play, we’re reminded that play is a right, not a luxury. In Dar es Salaam, we’re proving that even in the most densely populated, under-resourced communities, it’s possible to create spaces where children can play, learn, and thrive. 

 

Children in Crossfire will continue to advocate for early childhood environments that prioritise learning through play, both in urban and rural settings. Because no matter the setting – whether the wide open fields of Dodoma or the tight alleyways of Dar – every child deserves the chance to be a child.