Playtime Goes KaBOOM!

Finding great public spaces for kids to play is not only fun — it's urgent.

As childhood obesity rates soar and kids spend an average of 45 hours a week in front of a computer or TV screen, it's imperative that little ones get out and play for exercise and social interaction, or so say the folks at KaBOOM!, a 14-year-old nonprofit that encourages communities to build and sustain public play areas.

In an effort to help parents and caregivers find safe, appropriate places for kids to play, KaBOOM! is embarking on the first-ever online nationwide play space census, and you can help.

The nonprofit is encouraging people to add new outdoor play spaces to the database on their website, www.kaboom.org. Play spaces can include anything from playgrounds to family-oriented hiking trails, ice rinks, community gardens and swimming pools — anything that’s open to the public and allows kids to play safely.

One incentive to creating new play space entries on the database? You can raise money for charity. For every valid entry, which should include an address, photo and honest description of the play space, Dancing with the Stars pro and country music star Julianne Hough has agreed to donate $1 to one of the six national charities specified on the site. Participants have the option of choosing which charity receives her donation. She has pledged to donate up to $100,000 during the census, which concludes on June 30. Participants are also eligible to win prizes including a Canon PowerShot Digital Camera and a trip for four to attend a Julianne Hough concert, complete with the opportunity to meet the star.

Why is Hough helping? "I used to play outside every single day as a kid. I'm just stunned that kids aren’t getting to play as much as they should," she said. "These are tough times and this seemed like a way to help great charities and help parents get their kids off the couch and out the door."

KaBOOM! agrees. Spokeswoman Alison Risso told Tonic the play space database allows parents to go online and find great play spaces rated by other parents. Every entry has a comments section, and people are encouraged to write their own assessments of the play areas.

"It functions a bit like a Zagat’s guide for parents," explained Risso. "We encourage honest dialogue and assessment on the site to help others. For instance, if a playground is great but offers little shade, write that so parents know to bring lots of sunblock for their kids."

Risso said the database will also identify areas that do not have enough appropriate play spaces for kids, and hopefully will facilitate change.

"We want to better understand where we should be focusing our attention," said Risso. "We want to rally communities and get people engaged in the cause of play."

Overall, KaBOOM! argues that playing outside in safe, interesting and fun play areas is crucial for their development and an important step toward turning young people into successful adults.

"We tell kids to sit down all the time, but when we give them an opportunity to play in a great setting they learn how to take chances and engage in the environment," said Risso. "It helps them exercise and burn of steam. It helps them cooperate, think and imagine independently."

It’s tough to argue with that. For more information and to participate in the play space census visit www.kaboom.org.