Many parents will remember long hours spent outdoors when they were kids, exploring the neighbourhood running and playing in ways that was thrilling, exciting and challenging.  These experiences are largely missing from today’s children and youth who are spending many hours sitting inside often interacting with the world through electronic devices. 

Parents and caregivers can encourage more active play when (after giving guidance) they let their children figure out for themselves how to deal with risks that come from challenging and thrilling play. Usually occurring outside, challenging and thrilling play can include things like climbing to higher heights, moving faster or using tools. 

When children learn over time how to manage risk in play, this increases their interest in being active. It also helps them to:

• develop important life skills (e.g. problem-solving);
• self-confidence (i.e. believe in/trust themselves);
• self-esteem (i.e. feel good about themselves); and
• resilience (i.e. able to cope and recover/bounce back).

These are some of the important benefits that come from learning to manage risks during play.

Every child is a little different. What’s appropriate will depend on their age and stage of development. It will also depend on whether they have managed risks in play before.

Discuss potential risks with your child. Teach them what they need to know, but also give them freedom to work some things out for themselves. Play should be as safe as needed, not as safe as possible.