Blog: Why risky play is crucial for children's development

Research by Jantje Beton, a Dutch organisation promoting outdoor play for children, shows that fewer children are playing outdoors. One reason for this decline is an increasingly protective society. But what do we lose when we don’t give children the freedom to take risks? Risky play encourages children to explore their limits, making it an essential part of their development.

In this blog, we’ll delve into the importance of risky play. Why is it vital for children? How can we determine if a risk is acceptable? And how can we encourage children to explore their boundaries?

What is risky play?

Risky play allows children the freedom to play independently and create their own plans, without constant supervision or strict rules. This type of play challenges them to solve problems and assess risks on their own. It’s not about creating unsafe situations, but about offering opportunities for children to navigate physical and emotional challenges.

There are various forms of risky play:

Playing at heights: Climbing trees or playground equipment, helping children learn to judge height and balance.
Playing at speed: Activities like running, cycling, or swinging, where children experience speed and control.
Using risky materials or tools: For instance, using tools like hammers or ropes to explore and build.
Exploring risky environments: Dense bushes, streams, or rugged natural areas encourage discovery and adaptability.
Pushing and pulling: Playful wrestling or challenging each other in a fun way.
Out of sight: Playing without constant adult supervision fosters independence and decision-making.
Impact play: Jumping from heights or landing on soft surfaces, helping children understand physical limits.
Vicarious risk: Observing other children engage in risky activities and learning from their experiences.

Playing with acceptable risks

When evaluating a play situation, the focus is often on potential dangers, yet the play value is equally important. Zeina Bassa, a consultant at VeiligheidNL (SafetyNL), emphasizes the importance of considering what children gain from playing. A scrape, bruise, or dirty outfit often pales in comparison to the valuable experiences children acquire.

But when does a risk become too big? To determine if a risk is acceptable, we assess whether the enjoyment of playing outweighs the potential danger. If it does, the risk may be worth taking. VeiligheidNL has developed a step-by-step plan to guide this process. It encourages looking beyond the immediate consequences of an action, considering the play value, the child, and the context.

Play value: What does it offer the child? Look at the positive effects of the play, such as developing self-confidence, coordination, and problem-solving skills. What do children miss out on if they don’t take risks in their play?
The child itself: Does the child have the right skills to assess the risk? A child must be able to understand the situation and deal with it independently. Provide space for self-regulation and support only when necessary.
The situation: Is the environment suitable? Consider the safety of the play equipment and the space in which children are playing. It should be a space where children can experiment, but without major dangers.
The possible consequence: What is the worst that could happen? If the risk of serious injury is greater than the learning experience the child gains, it may be necessary to limit the play or adjust the situation.

Why is risky play important?

Risky play contributes to children’s motor development and boosts their self-confidence. By assessing situations and solving problems on their own, children develop essential skills such as decision-making and self-regulation. Research by the Nederlands Jeugdinstituut (Netherlands Youth Institute) shows that children who are given the freedom to take risks are better equipped to handle physical and emotional challenges. They become more resilient and creative in finding solutions.

Encouraging risky play

Although many parents recognise the importance of risky play, they feel apprehensive about allowing it. Play consultant Pleun Schaeffer from Speelmakers , a Dutch consultancy that specialises in designing and improving play environments, advises avoiding words like ‘watch out’, ‘stop’, or ‘be careful’, as they can abruptly interrupt the play. By intervening immediately, you take away the opportunity for children to assess situations and come up with solutions on their own. It’s better to step in only when absolutely necessary, so children can build valuable self-confidence by learning to handle situations themselves.

A helpful tip is to calmly count to ten before intervening. In many cases, the problem will resolve itself within this brief period, giving children the space to experiment and explore their limits.

Exploratory play for very young children

For very young children (1-5 years), it is also important that they are given the freedom to explore their limits. At this age, we refer less to risky play and more to exploratory play, as it focuses on discovering and expanding their abilities within a safe context. However, we see that parents are increasingly inclined to avoid risks, meaning children have fewer opportunities to engage in boundary-pushing play. This leads to young children missing out on important opportunities to develop basic motor skills such as climbing, balancing, and jumping. As a result, their self-confidence and physical development can be negatively impacted.

Additionally, exploratory play has a significant role in young children’s social and emotional development. Through play, they learn to cope with small frustrations, collaborate with others, and come up with solutions on their own. When these opportunities are lacking, children develop less resilience and are less prepared to face challenges in their later lives.

It is important for parents to consciously provide space for risky play, even for the youngest children. This can be done in a safe, welcoming environment where children can explore their curiosity and abilities without constant intervention or restrictions.

Blog: Why risky play is crucial for children’s development