P
laying outdoors can help
children appreciate nature,
as well as improve their
immune system and physical
development, not to mention burning
off some of their seemingly endless
energy. Of course, it’s up to us as
parents to give our children room to
discover the environment they live in.
But if you’re new to Hong
Kong, or new to parenthood, all
the skyscrapers and concrete might
have you thinking outdoor play is
impossible. However, despite its initial
impression, Hong Kong does have kid-
friendly outdoor spaces. You’ve just got
to know where to look.
Beach basics
Tamara Quinn, a nurse and mother
of two young, energetic boys says,
“
There is no better place to let your
child run wild than at the beach. It’s a
wide open space, where, if they fall, it’s
onto nice soft sand. I can remember
the first time that my son Bren played
on the beach. There were some small
waves and he just kept crawling into
them and laughing until one came
and rolled him over. I’d never seen
him crawl so fast. He moved himself
up onto the beach and just sat there
looking amazed at the water for about
two minutes. Then he just crawled
right back in for more!” she recalls.
Many government-run beaches
have showers, as well as a kiosk that
sells drinks, light snacks and an
assortment of beach toys. But taking
your own picnic is fun, and some
beaches offer barbecue pits. Why not
go early, take some sausages, and have
a barbecue breakfast?
Everyone has their favourite
beach, and indeed there are many to
choose from. The Leisure and Culture
Services Department (LCSD) website
lists details of the 41 beaches under
their care, providing a location map,
details of lifeguard service hours,
facilities and a photo. Some beaches
have fun extras, in addition to the
A concrete jungle? Yes. But Hong Kong also has plenty of
outdoor spaces for play, writes
Kristrun Birgistdottir
.
the
great
outdoors
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Playtimes