The Importance of Unstructured Play to Child Development
Children don’t just play for fun – it’s how they learn, grow, and make sense of the world. That’s the big takeaway from the newly published Raising the Nation Commission Report (June 2025), a year-long independent look at how play supports children’s wellbeing.
Dr Amanda Gummer, founder of the Good Play Guide, was one of the expert commissioners involved, and the findings are a wake-up call.
– Children today are getting far less time to play than previous generations.
– Outdoor play has halved in just one generation, and children aged 5 to 7 now get 45 minutes less breaktime at school each week than they did back in 1995.
– At the same time, we’re seeing more children struggle with things like obesity, anxiety and developmental delays.
To help turn things around, the report highlights one clear priority: we need to make more space for unstructured play – the kind of free, child-led activity that lets children explore, take risks, build confidence, and grow on their terms.
What Is Unstructured Play?
Unstructured play is any play activity freely chosen and directed by the child.
There are no set instructions, no expected outcomes, and no adults telling them what to do. It might involve building a den out of cushions, creating a game with friends in the park, or pretending to be a superhero saving the day.
The beauty of unstructured play lies in its simplicity and its power. While classes, clubs, and learning apps all have their place, children also need time where their imaginations can run wild, their curiosity can take the lead, and they can make mistakes without judgment.
Why Does Unstructured Play Matter?
1. It Builds Brain Power
Free play is full of problem-solving. Whether figuring out how to balance blocks without them falling or coming up with rules for a made-up game, children are constantly learning. This kind of play develops cognitive flexibility, creativity, and decision-making – all key skills for life.
2. It Supports Emotional Growth
Unstructured play helps children learn to manage frustration, handle surprises, and bounce back from setbacks (like when the tower falls or someone changes the game rules). It’s a safe way for them to test boundaries and develop resilience – the ability to keep going when things get tricky.
3. It Encourages Social Skills
Playing with others without adult direction teaches children to cooperate, negotiate, and compromise. They learn how to take turns, share ideas, and work out disagreements; invaluable life skills they’ll use in teamwork, relationships, and future jobs.
4. It Sparks Joy and Confidence
When children lead their play, they feel a sense of control and achievement. This boosts their confidence and motivation, encouraging them to explore, experiment, and believe in their abilities.
Simple Ways to Encourage Unstructured Play
As parents, we play a huge role in restoring play to its rightful place in childhood. You don’t need fancy equipment or a big garden – just time, freedom and trust in your child’s natural instinct to play.
1. Create a ‘Yes’ Space
Set aside an area where your child can play freely – whether it’s a corner of the living room or a patch of garden. Stock it with open-ended toys like blocks, dress-up clothes or art supplies and let them decide how to use them.
2. Loosen the Schedule
Not every moment needs to be filled. Boredom can be a gift – it’s often the starting point for the most imaginative play.
3. Say Yes to Mess
Building, splashing, digging and painting can be messy, but also incredibly valuable for sensory development and creativity.
4. Play Outdoors Whenever Possible
Parks, woodlands and even the pavement outside your home offer endless play opportunities. Climbing, balancing, running and jumping all help children develop gross motor skills and stamina.
5. Resist the Urge to Step In
Try not to solve every disagreement or direct every activity. Giving your child space to figure things out builds independence and confidence.
6. Balance Screen Time
Digital Play isn’t all bad, but too much of it can crowd out free, active play. Use parental controls, set clear limits, and make sure there’s time offline for child-led play every day.
The world has changed a lot since many of us were children, but children’s needs haven’t. They still need time to explore, connect, laugh, run, imagine and create. And unstructured play helps them learn skills that can’t always be taught but are discovered through doing. So the next time your child is climbing trees, making mud pies, or lost in an imaginary world… know that they’re not ‘just’ playing. They’re learning, growing, and becoming who they’re meant to be.