Adults ruin everything!

This even includes the fun associated with unstructured play.

Between 1981-1997 researchers have found that children are participating in less and less unstructured play time. We’re talking about the kind of play where there is no formal structure, in contrast to a soccer game or participating in a club.

It is the kind of play where kid can be creative, use their imaginations, and explore on their own terms. And, interestingly, because children are spending less time playing in that manner, they are actually experiencing more anxiety.

Though, if you’re still on the fence about why your child should have more unstructured play time, consider these thoughts.

It Gives Them the Chance to Pursue Their Own Interests on Their Terms

When it comes to structured recreation, such as sports or even school, children often don’t have a say. They are expected to conform and perform to rules and processes that are outside of their own creation (and are usually made by adults).

However, in unstructured play, children are the ones in the driver’s seat, so-to-speak. They get to pursue their own interest and let their imaginations be as creative as they want to.

Do you remember when you were little and you came up with your own make-believe worlds? Children these days don’t always get to do this anymore, and it’s a shame.

It Provides Them with the Opportunity to Be in Control

When this creativity spark strikes, it allows your child to be more in control. Think about it. With unstructured play your child is the one designing the game, creating the rules, and making their own choices.

To adults, who have forgotten what it’s like to be a kid, this can seem like a waste of time. “Why can’t they be more productive?!”

Well, in reality, they are. That’s because, in unstructured, play your child is learning how to create their own structure. They are controlling their own little worlds.

One of the reasons people in general get anxiety is because they feel out of control. For children, learning that they can be in control is very empowering. It will benefit them long after they have grown up.

It Helps Them Face Their Emotions

Another benefit of unstructured play is that children must learn to face and manage their emotions. This happens on two different levels.

One aspect is the physical act of the play. For example, let’s say they are playing “explorer” and are venturing into the neighborhood woods. This requires learning to face a fear of the unknown.

The other aspect involves interacting with other children. For example, while playing explorer, one child wants to hold the telescope, but the other doesn’t want to give it up. They could each get angry at one another, but then they aren’t having any fun. Or, instead, they could learn how to share and work together.

It Teaches Them How to Be Friends

Speaking of working together, it is a critical skill that children learn in unstructured play. For instance, your child wants to build a snow fort with the other children in the neighborhood. They all need to be able to work together to build the fort. Because building the fort is fun!

And everyone wants to have fun!

Often it’s so hard to get adults to work together. Why? Maybe it’s because they didn’t spend enough time as children participating in unstructured play and learned how to cooperate and enjoy what they were doing together.

It Produces Joy!

Finally, what makes unstructured play so important is that children learn to associate play with fun. However, as we learned at the outset, play time has been shrinking. Moreover, it’s being replaced with other things that are just not fun—more schoolwork and structured activities.

Nothing that brings joy! Instead, these things can actually be sources of anxiety for children.

Why rob your child of joy? Let them have some real fun with unstructured, free play that sparks their imagination and lifts their spirit.

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If you want to have a child who is happier and learns important skills like creativity, cooperation, and building relationships, then encourage them to play. Unstructured play can help build a child’s confidence and lessen their chance of struggling with anxiety as an adult.

So, what are you waiting for? Let your kids play!