Children's play in Nepal has historically been characterised by free, spontaneous activities such as "gatta" (pebbles), hide-and-seek, kabbadi, dandi-biyo, inspiring cultural connections and physical skills without cost. However, recent trends indicate a shift towards paid, organised activities like sports camps, adventure trips and private play centres, driven by urbanisation and changing economic priorities.

This transformation is not uniform, creating a divide based on family income and location, with affluent children accessing paid activities while lower-income children often lacking both paid options and safe, free play spaces. A global study notes that nearly 40 per cent of preschool-aged children play outdoors for an hour or less on weekdays, a trend likely mirrored in Nepal, raising concerns about cultural disconnection and health impacts.

Kathmandu's urban planning under Mayor Balen Shah focuses on improving public spaces, such as managing underground parking and addressing illegal structures. While specific initiatives for children's play areas are not extensively documented, the general effort to enhance public spaces could indirectly benefit playgrounds.

For instance, an article from November 2022 highlights the frustration of parents like Asmita from Baghbazaar, noting the lack of organised children's parks in Kathmandu. This aligns with global trends advocating for child-friendly urban design, emphasising safe, accessible public spaces for play.

In Nepal, CSR is mandatory for industries with turnovers of over Rs 15 crores, and it involves spending 1 per cent of net profit on social projects.

Organisations like Rotary and Lions are known to sponsor community initiatives, including parks and playgrounds, though specific examples are sparse.

For instance, the Nepal Trust mentions CSR support from Dragon Air/Cathay Pacific for office upgrades, suggesting potential for similar investments in children's spaces. This indicates an opportunity for businesses to use CSR funds, aligning with community needs and supporting equitable play access.

Sports are becoming a luxury in urban areas. The commercialisation of games is evident in the high costs of private sports activities. For example, Nepalaya Football Academy, launched in 2019, charges a registration fee of Rs 5,000 and a monthly fee of Rs 3,000, totaling around Rs 41,000 annually, including medical insurance of up to Rs 3 lakh and two jerseys. This cost can be significant, especially for families whose wages will not cover such expenses. Various other sports activities like rock climbing, tennis, swimming, cycling have also been commercialised. Comparatively, general sports and fitness course fees in Kathmandu range from Rs 1,000 to Rs 179,500, indicating variability but also potential high costs.

Play is crucial for children's cognitive, physical, social and emotional development, with research showing it enhances self-esteem, mental health and learning outcomes. The American Academy of Pediatrics emphasises play as enriching a child's brain, body and life, recommending at least 1 hour of daily physical activity. This is particularly relevant in Nepal's high-pressure academic environment, where play offers stress relief, yet the shift to structured activities may add pressure rather than freedom.

Nordic countries, such as Finland, Sweden, and Denmark, rank high in the Global Innovation Index (GII), with Finland often noted for its play-based learning approach. Swedish preschool, for instance, emphasises play as crucial for development, with a curriculum focusing on individual needs and interests, potentially fostering creativity and innovation. Finland's success in PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) rankings is partly attributed to less formal instruction and more outdoor play, suggesting a link to innovative thinking.

Singapore, also high in GII, has shifted towards creativity through initiatives like "Teach Less, Learn More" since the 1990s, moving away from rote learning to problem-based learning and subject-based banding by 2024, aiming to nurture innovation alongside academic excellence. While Singapore's system is more structured, preschool programmes like My First Skool incorporate play-based learning, reflecting a balance. These models suggest that prioritising play and creativity can contribute to societal innovation, offering lessons for Nepal.

The transformation of play in Nepal risks creating a two-tiered childhood, with implications for health, equity and cultural continuity. To address this, community initiatives should promote traditional games, schools should protect recess time, and local governments, under leaders like Balen Shah, should prioritise funding for parks in all neighbourhoods. Partnering with CSR-funded organisations like Rotary and Lions can enhance play space accessibility, while policies ensuring safe routes to school can integrate physical activity. Drawing from Nordic and Singaporean models, Nepal can balance structured activities with free play, ensuring all children have opportunities to develop essential skills and maintain cultural ties, shaping the well-being of future generations.

Remittances play a significant role in Nepal's economy, contributing over 26 per cent to the GDP in 2023, with an estimated US$11 billion in inward transfers. This surpasses the combined inflow from official development assistance and foreign direct investment, emphasising their critical role. However, relying solely on remittances is not sustainable in the long term. Investing in children's play and development can help build a skilled and innovative workforce, reducing dependency on unskilled labour exports and ensuring sustainable economic growth.

If play is the seed of innovation, why are we letting it wither for half our children?

KC is a public health scholar with a deep interest in children's well-being