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The importance of playing outside for the physical and psychic development of children is self-evident. And yet there are several factors in the evolution of society that play a part in restricting it such as massive urbanization, the preeminence of automobile traffic in city planning or the concerns of parents and those responsible for play areas. Comparing his experience as a child in the 1950s and 1960s with current studies by sociologists and urban planners, the author evokes these play areas and examines the factors that lead to relegating children to specific places and to restricting their autonomy. Taking childhood into account in our conceptions of city space would be beneficial for everyone.