How to encourage free and unstructured play

In the modern world, a child’s free time is usually pretty structured. It’s an era of after-school activities, clubs and play dates. And that’s not a bad thing – structured play helps to promote specific skills. But what if we told you that one of the keys to childhood development is actually unstructured play? 

Creativity, independence and emotional control are key skills that young people learn as they grow, and unstructured free play can encourage these traits. A less structured approach to play can have a positive impact on a child’s development, fostering an environment where they can explore their interests freely. This type of play allows children to make decisions, solve problems and express emotions in a safe and supportive setting. By engaging in activities that aren't predetermined, children develop resilience and adaptability, preparing them for challenges they may face in the future.

In this article, we’re going to look into how parents can nurture free and unstructured play, and go into detail about how this benefits your kids. But before that, there’s one important question we need to address…what exactly is free play? 

Table of contents

• What is free play?
• How can you encourage free play at home?
• Examples of free play activities

• How does free play benefit children?

• Conclusion
• How to encourage free and unstructured play FAQ

What is free play?

Free play – also known as unstructured or independent play – is the term used to describe any children’s play activities that are led by the child without adult input on rules or aims. In short, it is ‘play for the sake of play’, a blank canvas that allows kids to improvise their own games and ideas, rather than trying to achieve set goals within a confined structure. 

How can you encourage free play at home?

Parents will be familiar with the phrase ‘I’ve got nothing to do!’ as their child is surrounded by an array of toys, games and activities. It can be frustrating, but consider what the statement is really saying. Are they complaining about a lack of options, or a lack of inspiration? 

Kids are often used to having their play time structured, but creative play requires regular practise. If your child is always given toys to play with or activities to keep them occupied, they can struggle to come up with their own ideas.  

This can become a cycle – they struggle to come up with new ideas, so they don’t want to try, which means that they don’t exercise those creative skills and continue to lack confidence. Luckily, there are steps you can take to increase their confidence and let their creativity run wild! 

• Create a ‘safe space’ for unstructured play

The best way to encourage experimental and imaginative play is to make it feel easy. Let your child know that missteps are not just inevitable, but an important part of the learning process. It’s a lot more fun to experiment when you’re not scared of making mistakes! 

• Be a positive influence in the learning process

Kids model themselves on their parents, so it’s vital that you lead by example and display the skills you want to encourage in them. When they talk, listen to their ideas – this validates their thoughts and encourages them to speak out more often.  

Praise their successes and provide constructive feedback on their misfires, as this builds their confidence in both their ability to achieve, and their ability to endure failure. If they are really stuck for inspiration, give them advice and tips based on your own experience. 

• Promote creativity with open-ended toys

Soon your children will be able to create games and stories by themselves, but for now it’s fine to give them a nudge in the right direction. Open-ended toys like LEGO® sets will spark their creativity and allow them to explore their interests! 

• Provide opportunities to interact with other children

The best way to support free play is to get them engaging with other children, so invite their school friends – or your friends’ kids – over for collaborative play. Children are great at bouncing off each other (sometimes literally!) and developing play through these interactions, supporting communication, empathy and turn-taking. 

Examples of free play activities

At first, kids may struggle to come up with ideas for free play. Ignite their imaginations with some suggestions of your own – here are a few to get you started: 

• LEGO® Creative Boxes – our philosophy of ‘learning through play’ is rooted in free play. LEGO sets are perfect for unstructured play, promoting independence, autonomy and creative thinking. With a pile of assorted bricks in front of them, your child can really explore their imagination. 
• Pretend play – whether dressing up in costumes, acting out scenarios with LEGO construction and interactive sets or setting up your own make-believe restaurant, pretend play is great for childhood development. The ability to imagine one thing as another comes naturally to kids, but requires practise – pretend play allows them to explore the boundaries of their creativity. Encourage them to use things from around the house, like big boxes to build forts or towels for capes, to enhance their creativity and resourcefulness. 
• Art sets – with a piece of paper and a pencil, pen or paintbrush, the only limit on what a child can create is their own imagination. Ask them to draw a bird, and they will draw a bird. Encourage them simply to draw, and you open up an entire world of possibilities! Building with LEGO bricks allows a child's imagination to shine freely, without any limitations. Just ask them to create something, and watch their creativity unfold. 
• Group games – playing with friends helps to develop collaboration and cooperation skills. It also promotes adaptability, patience and resilience, as children learn how to navigate differences of opinion and conflict. LEGO bricks are great for these – for example, working in teams to build the tallest tower!  
• Outdoor activities – aside from the physical benefits, outdoor play encourages children to explore their surroundings and take an interest in nature. A scavenger hunt in the park for their hidden LEGO brick creations is a great way to encourage exploration, logical thinking and teamwork, while getting some exercise! 

How does free play benefit children?

We’ve established what free play is, how to encourage children to engage with it and discovered some great examples. But one question still remains: why?  

There are a wide range of proven benefits, that can be broken down into three categories:

• Creative development – promotes imaginative thinking, storytelling, problem-solving and experimentation, important skills that support emotional well-being and wider learning 
• Social development – encourages collaboration, communication, empathy, patience and conflict resolution, vital skills when interacting with other people 
• Autonomous development – grows your independence, resilience, decision-making and adaptability, all of which help you to feel confident and competent in everyday life. 

Key takeaways

As we’ve discovered, unstructured play is a simple idea made up of lots of complex ideas. Ultimately, free and unstructured play comes down to giving your child space to explore their own minds – here are a few key points to remember to help your child on their creative journey: 

• Free play is essential for creative, social, physical and autonomous development
• It promotes a wide range of skills including communication, manual dexterity, patience and problem-solving
• The most important element of free play is that it’s led by the child. As a parent, you can provide a safety net and advice when asked, but otherwise let them direct the play
• Open-ended and interactive toys are much better for encouraging creativity and imaginative thought than more prescriptive ones
• It’s important to take their unstructured play outside wherever possible – this promotes physical development and provides more opportunity for inventive play