Mind the Risk: Embracing Risky Play / The Patchwork Garden

At The Bramble Patch Preschool, we believe in the power of play. It’s not just a way for children to have fun—it’s how they learn, grow, and make sense of the world. Play is where problem-solving happens, where confidence builds, and where resilience takes root. And one of the most powerful forms of play? Risky play.

Now, before you picture children engaging in dangerous or reckless behaviour, let’s take a step back. Risky play isn’t about hazards or unnecessary danger—it’s about allowing children to test their abilities, build confidence, and learn how to navigate risk in a safe and supported way. It’s about climbing a little higher, running a little faster, balancing a little longer, and, most importantly, learning to make decisions about their own bodies and capabilities.

For many parents and educators, the term risky play can be a little nerve-wracking. But research and lived experience tell us that children who engage in physical, exploratory play that involves some level of challenge are more confident, resilient, and better equipped to manage real-world risks.

So, let’s explore risky play, its importance, and how The Bramble Patch embraces it to help children grow into confident, capable learners.

What is Risky Play?

Risky play refers to thrilling, challenging, and exploratory play in which children test their physical abilities, develop decision-making skills, and learn to assess risk for themselves. It often occurs outdoors but can also take place in carefully designed indoor environments.

Risky play often includes:
✅ Climbing higher than before (play structures, trees, furniture)
✅ Balancing on uneven or moving surfaces
✅ Running fast, jumping from heights, or rolling down hills
✅ Playing with natural elements like water, mud, sticks, and rocks
✅ Engaging in rough-and-tumble play with peers
✅ Using tools or loose parts in creative ways

It’s important to note that risk is different from hazard (Sandseter, 2009). A risk is something a child can see, evaluate, and make a decision about (e.g., “Should I jump off this log?”). A hazard, on the other hand, is an unseen danger that a child cannot assess (e.g., a broken ladder rung or a hidden sharp object). Our role as educators is to remove hazards while allowing and encouraging risk.

How Risky Play Evolves Across Ages

Risky play changes as children grow. Here’s how it might look at different ages: How Risky Play Evolves Across Ages

👶 Infants & Toddlers (0-2 years): Crawling over uneven surfaces, pulling to stand, climbing onto furniture, experimenting with balance.

🧒 Preschoolers (2-4 years): Climbing higher, jumping off low surfaces, engaging in rough-and-tumble play, using tools in play, exploring natural environments.

👦 Older Preschoolers (4-5 years): Running at high speeds, scaling trees or play structures, engaging in cooperative risky play (e.g., constructing forts or obstacle courses).

Why is Risky Play So Important?

Risky play isn’t just about burning off energy—it plays a role in every area of child development.

Here’s why it matters:

1. Physical Development & Coordination

Risky play supports gross motor development, coordination, and strength. Climbing, jumping, balancing, and running all help children build core stability, agility, and spatial awareness (Brussoni et al., 2015).

2. Emotional Regulation & Resilience

Experiencing risk—and sometimes failure—teaches children to cope with fear, frustration, and setbacks (Gray, 2013).

3. Cognitive Growth & Problem-Solving

Every time a child assesses whether they can balance on a log or decide how to climb down from a structure, they engage in real-time problem-solving (Sandseter & Kennair, 2011).

4. Social Skills & Peer Negotiation

Some children may prefer to observe others engaging in risky play before trying it themselves—and that’s completely normal. Observing first helps children assess and understand risk.

5. School Readiness & Independence

Risky play builds focus, perseverance, and self-regulation—all essential skills for school success.

6. Body Awareness & Self-Confidence

When children engage in risky play, they learn what their bodies are capable of, building independence and self-trust.

How We Incorporate Risky Play at The Bramble Patch

At The Bramble Patch, we provide opportunities for risky play both indoors and out, year-round:

🌿 Outdoor Risky Play: Tree climbing, natural loose parts, rolling down hills, balancing on logs, rough-and-tumble play.

🏡 Indoor Risky Play: Trampoline, Pikler triangle, play couch for tumbling and climbing.

🌧 Weather-Proof Play: We embrace all seasons, ensuring risky play continues even in the rain, snow, and cold.

We use a “Spotter, Not Stopper” approach—observing, supporting, and encouraging children to take safe risks rather than intervening too quickly.

How to Talk to Children About Risky Play

Instead of saying “Be careful!”, which can cause hesitation and fear, try:
✅ “Do you feel steady?” ✅ “What’s your plan?”
✅ “Take your time and check your footing.” ✅ “I see you’re climbing high—do you have a safe way down?”

Children should also know that:
⭐ They can always change their mind. If they start to climb and decide it’s too high, that’s okay!
⭐ Help is always available. We encourage independence, but children should know they can always ask for help.

When (and How) to Step In as an Educator or Parent

As caregivers, our role is to:

🔹 Observe rather than intervene too quickly. If a child is in control of their body and making safe decisions, we allow them to continue.

🔹 Step in if there’s a hazard. If there’s an unseen danger, such as a sharp rock in the landing zone, we remove it.

🔹 Provide verbal coaching. Instead of lifting a child onto a structure, we ask, “What’s your plan?”

🔹 Recognize when help is needed. If a child is genuinely stuck or in distress, we offer guidance.

The Power of Nature Risky Play

Outdoor risky play is particularly beneficial for children with autism, ADHD, or sensory processing differences.

Nature provides:

✅ Sensory-rich environments that support self-regulation.

✅ Opportunities for movement and heavy work (which helps with emotional regulation).

✅ Space for children to engage in risk at their own pace.

Research shows that children who engage in regular outdoor risky play are better at self-regulation and managing their emotions (Brussoni et al., 2015).

Final Thoughts: Embracing Risk, Building Confidence

At The Bramble Patch, we see risky play as a foundation for confidence, resilience, and lifelong learning. Our goal isn’t to eliminate risk—it’s to help children navigate it, learn from it, and grow.

We are committed to increasing our knowledge of risky play and continuing to provide meaningful opportunities for children to make decisions about their bodies. By supporting children in assessing risks and making choices, we empower them to develop confidence, independence, and resilience—skills that will serve them well throughout their lives.

Active play in nature, with its inherent risks, is essential for healthy child development. A truly safe environment is not one that eliminates all possible risks but one that allows children to explore, experiment, and gain confidence in their own abilities while being supported by attentive and knowledgeable educators.

By embracing risky play in a safe and intentional way, we help children discover just how capable they truly are. 🌿✨

We’d love to hear your thoughts! How do you incorporate risky play into your child’s day?

What’s been your experience with letting children explore and take safe risks?

Share your stories, questions, or any tips you have in the comments below.

Let’s start a conversation and learn from each other as we support children in building confidence, resilience, and independence through play!

References

Brussoni, M., Olsen, L., Pike, I., & Sleet, D. (2015). Risky play and children’s safety: Balancing the need for risk with the need for safety. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 12(9), 1026–1048.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph12091026
Gray, P. (2013). The play deficit. American Journal of Play, 6(1), 15-40.
Sandseter, E. B. H. (2009). Characteristics of risky play. Journal of Adventure Education & Outdoor Learning, 9(1), 3-21. https://doi.org/10.1080/14729670902769157
Sandseter, E. B. H., & Kennair, L. E. O. (2011). Children’s risky play from an evolutionary perspective: The anti-phobic effects of thrilling experiences. Evolutionary Psychology, 9(2), 257-284. https://doi.org/10.1177/147470491100900203

Mind the Risk: Embracing Risky Play