Series of ‘Blog’ articles from Mark Hardy, Chairman of the API and articles of interest.


35 Years of Play

  • Posted on Mar 26, 2019  
  • BLOG

This year we’re celebrating 35 years of the Association of Play Industries.  Our trade association was originally formed to bring…


Kids’ screen time is an urgent public health issue. We must act now…

  • Posted on Jan 29, 2019  
  • BLOG

Today’s media has featured two reports around screen time – that toddlers’ development is negatively affected by excessive screen time…


The closure of playgrounds – a false economy?

  • Posted on Nov 28, 2018  
  • BLOG

In my last blog, I told you about the research we were working on.  Now published, it shows – all…


Sign the petition and support the call for a Cabinet Minister for Children

  • Posted on Oct 30, 2018  
  • BLOG

The call for a Minister dedicated to the welfare of children and young people is gathering pace. The petition has…


Are our parks, playgrounds and green spaces going into freefall?

  • Posted on Oct 04, 2018  
  • BLOG

The decline in parks, playgrounds and green spaces appears to be going into freefall. Many of you will have seen…


‘Prescription for Play’

  • Posted on Aug 30, 2018  
  • BLOG

Kids are so over-scheduled that doctors are being told to prescribe play says new American report. Children have a right…


API Rebrand

  • Posted on Apr 30, 2018  
  • BLOG

I get that when an organisation rebrands it’s not in and of itself that interesting. It only becomes so if…


The least we can do is give children the space to play

  • Posted on Mar 23, 2018  
  • BLOG

Yesterday, Chris Leslie, MP for Nottingham East, drew fresh attention to an issue that many may be unaware of. The…


Two years supporting the play industry…..

  • Posted on Oct 24, 2017  
  • BLOG

API’s Independent Chair, Mark Hardy, discusses his two years supporting the play industry and tells us why the Nowhere to…


The campaign for children’s play spaces gathers pace

  • Posted on May 03, 2017  
  • BLOG

The response to our research, which uncovered a steep decline in England’s provision of playgrounds, has been extraordinary. The Telegraph, Guardian,…