A Preliminary Study of the Values and Benefits of Community-Based Play Hubs

Free and unstructured play is widely recognized as crucial for children’s holistic development, yet opportunities for such play can be limited in city environments like Hong Kong. In recent years, the Hong Kong government has sought to develop a family and child friendly environment and more emphasis has put on play based learning by increasing the number and variety of public playgrounds and require more free play time at kindergarten curriculum. Alongside these efforts, a growing network of private, community-based “play hubs” has emerged, offering flexible, childled play spaces that are welcomed by many parents and educators.

This study employed a mixed methods approach to investigate the distinct features and benefits of these community play hubs from multiple stakeholder perspectives. A survey was conducted with Hub staff to understand their perceptions about the Hub and free play philosophy. Qualitative interviews with kindergarten teachers and focus groups with parents revealed insights into the hubs’ facilitation philosophies, operational challenges, and the motivations of families who utilize these spaces.

Analysis of the hub environments and programming highlighted key characteristics, including their emphasis on free, unstructured play, opportunities for social interaction, and affordability for families. These findings suggest that community play hubs can meaningfully supplement Hong Kong’s evolving play infrastructure, aligning with broader policy goals around child wellbeing and healthy child development. Recommendations are provided for strategies to sustain and expand this growing network of community-based play resources.