Now that school is out, or nearly out for the summer for many families, play will be important during these hot summer months. Unstructured play, as research shows, helps children learn to socialize, gives them a break from their devices, helps them understand their bodies, and helps them enjoy the outdoors.

Recently, a U.S. Playability Index was published by ProCare Therapy, which ranks the most playable U.S. cities. The index ranked 100 of the most populous U.S. areas based on five factors tied to everyday outdoor play: park access, walkability, and presence of playgrounds, skate parks, and splashpads. The findings paint a striking picture of how uneven access to play can be across the country.

Best walkability: San Francisco, Portland, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C. 

Most playgrounds per 100,000 children: Las Vegas, Cincinnati, Madison, Norfolk, Irvine 

Most skate parks per 100,000 children: Reno, Sacramento, Chula Vista, Boise, Laredo 

Best park access: Chicago, Boston, Arlington, Denver, San Francisco

Most splashpads per 100,000 children: Boston, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Jersey City 

“Play is one of the most natural and important ways children learn,” says Meagan Weldon, former RBT and Director of Educational Resources at ProCare Therapy. “It supports problem-solving, emotional regulation, communication, motor development, and social confidence all at once. When children have safe, accessible places to play, they are building skills that support their growth well beyond childhood.”

America’s 10 Most Playable Cities for Kids

1.     Boston, MA — 69.1 

2.     Sacramento, CA — 65.2 

3.     Las Vegas, NV — 64.9 

4.     Portland, OR — 61.7 

5.     San Francisco, CA — 58.7 

6.     Pittsburgh, PA — 56.4 

7.     Seattle, WA — 55.6 

8.     Minneapolis, MN — 55.4 

9.     Denver, CO — 55.1 

10.  Washington, DC — 53.5 

America’s 10 Least Playable Cities for Kids

90.  Wichita, KS — 24.8 

91.  Gilbert, AZ — 24.5 

92.  Houston, TX — 24.4 

93.  Memphis, TN — 24.1 

94.  Greensboro, NC — 24.0 

95.  Oklahoma City, OK — 21.4 

96.  Orlando, FL — 15.9 

97.  Lubbock, TX — 13.2 

98.  Winston-Salem, NC — 7.6 

99.  Port St. Lucie, FL — 6.4 

Learn more about the ProCare Playability Index. This is not a sponsored post.