New directions when designing for play

In this concluding paper to the theme edition of Children, Youth and Environments on Contemporary Issues in Designing for Play, we explain how the six papers and four field reports that comprise this collection have collectively strengthened the evidence base and expanded the discourse about designing for play across diverse cultural, spatial and disciplinary contexts. Together, they demonstrate that designing for play is both a collective and ethical process that must respond to local needs as well as global challenges. We also move beyond our evidence base to outline the challenges that lie ahead in designing for play, specifying priority actions that are empirical, conceptual and political. These include embracing intergenerational perspectives, addressing inequalities, pushing boundaries and committing to iterative practices. Through this collection, we argue that designing for play is a deeply relational and systemic endeavor, key to promoting children's rights, wellbeing and resilience.