The Importance of Unstructured Play for Kids

“Play” is the language of children and unstructured play is essential for healthy childhood development. When kids explore freely—building forts, inventing games, or daydreaming in the backyard—they develop creativity, problem-solving skills, and emotional resilience. Unstructured play with others (kids, siblings, family) encourages social and moral development. Unplugged and unscheduled time lets children follow their curiosity, build independence, and just be kids with their imagination leading the way.

Blonde child leaning inside a tire swing.

I remember spending hours in my backyard as a kid. Swinging on the swing, playing with my friends in the little house my Dad built for me or just lying on my back watching the clouds roll by. I treasure the memory of these times and am seeking to put a little more unstructured play time back in my own adult life.

How sad would it have been had I never had those times to dream and to just be a kid!

What is Unstructured Play?

Unstructured play is just what it sounds like. Giving kids time to be kids. To follow a caterpillar or just sit and contemplate the world around them. We’re not talking about wasted time here. Oh no! Time spent in free, or unstructured, play is every bit as important as planned and “purposeful” pursuits for kids. The lack of purpose is…well it IS the purpose!

What Can Unstructured Play Do for Kids?

It gives them the power to create something new
It encourages creativity and seeing possibilities in everyday things
It encourages kids to cooperate in the name of having fun
It relieves stress
It promotes safe interactions with others through playing
It encourages problem solving
It fosters social skills and emotional development (being a good winner/loser, not cheating, taking turns etc.)
It helps kids express what is going on with them and work through situations they don’t yet have the words for

What Real Play Looks Like

We often teased my dad about being a penny-pinching Scotsman, but in reality he was a Depression Era kid who hadn’t had lots of bought toys. So while I did have purchased toys he made sure I also had lots of opportunities for much less expensive unstructured play.

I remember playing with the giant box the new refrigerator came in. I think I played with it for months! It was a castle, a spaceship, an airplane and a playhouse. I drew all sorts of things on the inside and outside of it, I cut windows and doors in it, I attached things to every surface of it. It was a very well played with box! Finally one day it just sort of disintegrated and had to be thrown out. Very sad until I realized there were a lot more boxes out there!

Heart-shaped blue sky hole in white clouds

One of the best things about unstructured play is that the child (or children) decides how the play goes. Give a kid a ball and see what game they come up with! Watch kids play with action figures or dolls. No one but them is telling them how to play and yet they can very happily “play” that way for hours. Maybe your child will lay on a blanket in the backyard, finding dinosaurs, rabbits and sailing ships in the clouds.

There are far too many examples of unstructured play than can be written in one blog post! So let’s look at some of the common characteristics. The first two can be a little difficult for adults to wrap their brain around!

Unstructured play doesn’t have a defined (apparent) purpose!
It isn’t designed by or controlled by adults. I can practically hear some of you saying, “Well some adult designed that doll or ball or little car!” Indeed they did, but the child decides how to play with it!
Pretending in unstructured play lets kids find new uses for things. So couch cushions and a blanket become a castle and a stick becomes a magic wand or fishing pole or light saber and the floor is suddenly lava!
There is little or no need for purchased toys although the ones they already have may be used in unstructured play.

Encouraging Play

There are a few guidelines around our house for unstructured play just for safety’s sake and for future usability of our household goods!

Ask to use something first. My kitchen drawers have all sorts of fascinating things to play with… but there are also some things that could either be dangerous or could be damaged. So always ask first.
When they are done playing everything needs to be put back to rights for the next play session and for mom and dad’s sanity! (What happened to my tea strainer??)
Define what a safe area for play is.

Sometimes, if you’re very blessed, you may be asked to join in the play. If so, it’s a great time to remember how to just be a kid and have fun!