Over 300,000 children will have access to new and improved play areas this summer, Dawn Primarolo has announced.
The children's minister said that more than 530 play areas had opened since last year, with 3,000 more due to open across England by 2011.
In comments made to mark 'Playday 2009', Primarolo said by 2011 as many as 1.5 million children could have access to new and improved play areas.
"The ability to play safely and independently is one of the defining characteristics of a good childhood," she said.
"Play is first and foremost to help children have fun, but it can also keep them happy and healthy and allow them to develop and achieve their full potential."
The Playday events see around 100,000 people participate in events across the UK, co-ordinated by the Children's Play Council and the National Children's Bureau.
An ICM poll conducted on behalf of Play England showed 72 per cent of parents believe that their children are naughtier when they spend less time playing.
Over 1,000 people were questioned for the survey, which also showed that 86 per cent say a lack of play makes their child unhappy.
And 62 per cent said their child is angrier when their play is restricted.
Adrian Voce, director of Play England, said: "Children, as well as their parents, are telling us that they are happiest and most cooperative when they get enough time to play.
"And although they understand that this doesn't have to mean costly trips or toys, the recession is definitely having an impact on their choices.
"This makes free local play areas more important than ever. That is why we are calling on all parties and local authorities to ensure the current investment and other measures to create more child-friendly public space are sustained."
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