As a parent, you want your child to grow up confident, capable, and resilient. One way to support this growth—though sometimes overlooked—is by allowing risky play. While the term may sound alarming at first, risky play is a natural and essential part of early childhood development. It involves activities that allow children to test their boundaries and explore the world with a sense of adventure.
In this article, we’ll explore what risky play is, its many benefits, and how it can be implemented safely in early learning environments like Chapter 1 Daycare in Calgary.
What Is Risky Play?
Risky play refers to thrilling and exciting activities that involve a level of risk or challenge. These can include climbing, running fast, jumping from heights, balancing on uneven surfaces, rough-and-tumble play, or using tools under supervision.
Importantly, risky play is not the same as dangerous play. Risky play is supervised and thoughtfully structured, allowing children to engage in activities that challenge their limits without exposing them to serious harm.
Why Risky Play Is Important in Early Childhood
Children are naturally curious. Risky play allows them to explore their physical capabilities, make decisions, assess danger, and develop problem-solving skills in real-world contexts. When a child climbs a tree or navigates a balance beam, they are actively learning how to control their body, assess risks, and push their comfort zones—all of which contribute to emotional and cognitive development.
Developmental Benefits of Risky Play
1. Building Resilience and Persistence
When children face physical or social challenges in play, they learn to keep trying, even after falling or failing. This builds grit—something children will carry into adulthood.
2. Confidence and Independence
Accomplishing a difficult task, like walking across a balance beam or climbing a rope, gives children a genuine sense of achievement. It fosters independence and belief in their own capabilities.
3. Problem Solving and Decision-Making
Children in risky play situations learn to assess risks, think critically, and make decisions on the spot. These real-time problem-solving experiences support cognitive development.
4. Improved Balance and Coordination
Activities like running on uneven surfaces, jumping from heights, or balancing on beams naturally enhance children’s motor skills and spatial awareness.
5. Creativity and Inventiveness
Unstructured risky play often encourages children to come up with new ways to use everyday items—turning logs into obstacle courses or trees into castles. It boosts imagination and creative thinking.
6. Risk Assessment and Understanding Consequences
By experiencing minor bumps and learning from them, children develop an internal sense of risk assessment. They begin to understand that actions have consequences—a vital life skill.
7. Emotional Growth and Self-Regulation
Risky play can provoke strong emotions—excitement, fear, pride. Managing these emotions helps children grow emotionally and learn to regulate themselves.
8. Curiosity and Wonder
Children are natural explorers. Risky play gives them the freedom to follow their curiosity, ask questions, and push boundaries.
9. Social Skills and Cooperation
In group settings, risky play often involves negotiation, turn-taking, and communication. These interactions help children develop important social competencies.
10. Resourcefulness and Adaptability
Children involved in risky play learn how to adapt to changing conditions and think on their feet, whether they’re building a fort or navigating a tricky climbing structure.
Examples of Risky Play Activities for Preschoolers
Here are some age-appropriate risky play ideas that offer rich learning opportunities for toddlers and preschoolers:
- Climbing low trees or playground equipment
- Jumping from small heights onto soft ground
- Walking on balance beams or uneven surfaces
- Building with large loose parts (e.g., crates, tires, sticks)
- Engaging in supervised rough-and-tumble play
- Exploring natural elements like rocks, mud, and water
- Carrying heavy objects or pushing/pulling large items
These activities should always be monitored by adults who can assess the environment and guide children through challenges safely.
Addressing Common Misconceptions About Risky Play
It’s natural for parents to worry about their child’s safety. But research and early childhood experts agree—shielding children from all risk can lead to missed opportunities for growth.
Here’s the truth:
- Risk is not danger. With proper supervision and boundaries, risk builds resilience and competence.
- Scrapes and bruises happen. These are often part of learning and are usually minor.
- Avoiding risk altogether can cause harm. Overprotected children may lack problem-solving skills, confidence, and physical coordination.
Creating the right environment with safe, supervised opportunities is the key to reaping the benefits while minimizing harm.
How Chapter 1 Daycare Encourages Healthy Risk-Taking
At Chapter 1 Daycare in Calgary, we understand the value of risky play and intentionally design experiences that promote healthy risk-taking. Our outdoor learning spaces are filled with opportunities for safe exploration—climbing structures, nature play, obstacle courses, and group games that encourage both physical and emotional growth.
Our staff is trained to support risky play in a way that respects each child’s developmental level. We focus on setting clear boundaries, observing carefully, and encouraging children to think through their actions. This allows kids to experience autonomy while feeling secure and supported.
By weaving risky play into our curriculum, we prepare children not just for school—but for life.
Final Thoughts: Why Risky Play Matters
In today’s world, where screen time is abundant and outdoor exploration is limited, risky play offers a return to the roots of childhood. It invites kids to run, climb, experiment, and grow—learning powerful life lessons along the way.
Parents may feel uneasy at first, but embracing safe, structured risky play can unlock remarkable benefits for your child’s body, brain, and spirit.
At Chapter 1 Daycare in Calgary, we’re proud to create an environment where children can safely test limits, build confidence, and become strong, resilient learners
FAQs
Is risky play safe for toddlers?
Yes, when supervised appropriately, risky play helps toddlers learn boundaries, decision-making, and physical awareness while still being safe.
What are some examples of risky play at daycare?
Climbing on natural structures, jumping from small heights, balancing on logs, or riding tricycles at speed—these are all age-appropriate risky play activities.
How does risky play improve social skills?
Risky play encourages cooperation, communication, and problem-solving as children negotiate turns, create rules, and play in groups.
Why is risky play important in early childhood education?
It promotes cognitive and emotional development, enhances motor skills, builds resilience, and fosters independence.
How can I support risky play as a parent?
Allow children to explore with limits, supervise without hovering, and choose playgrounds or daycares like Chapter 1 that offer safe, structured risky play.