This work--part of a wider project aimed at engaging first year primary school pupils in public open-space design--explores the perceptions of junior primary school children as to the urban square. Data collection tools comprised semi-structured interviews, sketches and storytelling via puppet-animation. Our findings have shown that--according to the perceptions of the children--the square displays the advantages and disadvantages of public open spaces both structurally and in terms of its layout, while its functions are linked to children's play, leisure, events and socialization. Factors that adversely affect visits to public squares include delinquency, xenophobia, limited space and poor design.