The phrase "risky play" can make parents uncomfortable, conjuring images of broken bones and emergency room visits. However, child development researchers use the term to describe a specific category of play that involves uncertainty, excitement, and a perceived sense of danger — while the actual risk of serious injury remains low. Far from being something to avoid, risky play is increasingly recognised as essential for healthy child development.

What Constitutes Risky Play?

Researcher Ellen Sandseter identified six categories of risky play: play at great heights such as climbing trees and structures, play at high speed such as swinging and sliding, play with dangerous tools such as knives and saws in supervised settings, play near dangerous elements such as water and fire, rough-and-tumble play including wrestling and chasing, and play where children can get lost or separated from caregivers.

These categories of play are found across all cultures and throughout human history, suggesting they serve an important evolutionary purpose. Children are naturally drawn to these activities because they provide the sensory and emotional experiences needed for healthy development.

The Benefits of Risky Play

Research consistently demonstrates that children who engage in risky play develop better risk assessment skills, greater physical competence, improved emotional regulation, and reduced anxiety. A comprehensive review published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that restricting children's access to risky play was associated with increased anxiety, depression, and behavioural problems.

The mechanism is straightforward: when children voluntarily face situations that feel scary or uncertain, they learn that they can cope with uncomfortable emotions. Each successful navigation of a risky situation builds confidence and reduces the fear response to similar situations in the future. This is essentially a natural form of exposure therapy.