Ukrainian territorial defence soldiers from the Donetsk Oblast fire D-20 artillery in the direction of Toretsk, Ukraine, 24 July 2025. (Photo by Diego Herrera Carcedo/Anadolu via Getty Images)

In a simpler time all a child or an adult needed to enjoy the outdoors was a ball and a stick. Or maybe an old tire tied to a high branch to fashion a swing. And the only instruction given to children was to “be home before dark”. Now there are iPads and computers and television screens and shrinking safe public spaces. But despite the distractions and limitations of space, these images show the charm of kicking a ball or skipping rope endures. Sometimes with modifications as a nod to changing times. Here: in this Saturday, June 20, 2015 photo, a boy runs while playing with a motorcycle wheel in Samugari, Ayacucho, Peru. (Photo by Rodrigo Abd/AP Photo)

American actress Nicola Peltz poses on the red carpet as she arrives for the world premiere of the movie “Transformers 4: Age of Extinction” in Hong Kong Thursday, June 19, 2014. The latest installment in the blockbuster series of “Transformers” films is making its world premier not in the usual entertainment hubs of Los Angeles or New York but in the wealthy Chinese metropolis of Hong Kong, the latest sign of Hollywood's increasing focus on China's booming film market. (Photo by Kin Cheung/AP Photo)

Athletes in action during the international parachuting competition Mountain Gravity in Quinto, Switzerland, 27 August 2015. Some 200 participants from all over the world are expected to jump at the event running from 22 to 30 August 2015. (Photo by Samuel Golay/EPA)

Indian School children's in a traditational attire of a characters of Indian epic Ramayan, on the eve of children's day celebration at cubbon park, in Bangalore, India, 13 November 2016. Children's day (also known as Bal Divas), in India is celebrated every year on 14th of November to increase the awareness of people towards the rights, care, and education of children. Many schools hold activities and allow students to have fun and attend their classes in coloured dresses. (Photo by Jagadeesh N.V./EPA)

A woman smokes marijuana during the annual 4/20 marijuana rally on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, April 20, 2017. (Photo by Chris Wattie/Reuters)

A rebel fighter supporter shoots an AK-47 rifle as she reacts to the news of the withdrawal of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi's forces from Benghazi March 19, 2011. The conflict was sparked by clashes in Benghazi and escalated into a rebellion that spread across the country. Gaddafi was captured and killed on October 20, 2011. Libya is currently caught up in a conflict between two rival factions who once battled together against the late Libyan leader. (Photo by Goran Tomasevic/Reuters)

Fireworks explode above Singapore's financial skyline at dusk as part of celebrations for the nation's 50th year of independence, Sunday, August 9, 2015, in Singapore. Singapore declared independence on August 9, 1965. (Photo by Wong Maye-E/AP Photo)