Play isn’t just fun — it’s how children make sense of the world, explore their emotions, and build lifelong skills. Whether it’s a baby gazing at a rattle or a teenager acting out a drama scene, play is a powerful tool for learning and growing. The benefits of play should play a key role in deciding how we interact with children.
In this article, we’ll explore the science behind play, what it looks like at each age, what it teaches children, and how parents can support it — even with no resources at all.
How newborns learn through play
For newborn babies, the benefits of play starts with connection. Eye contact, facial expressions, gentle singing, and even tummy time all count as play at this stage. These tiny, shared moments help with:
- Early brain development
- Attachment and bonding
- Sensory exploration
Experts suggest mirroring a baby’s sounds and gestures as a simple, playful interaction that supports early communication.
Toddlers and pre-schoolers learn best through hands-on play
Toddlers and preschoolers are natural explorers. Every cupboard, puddle, wrapping paper tube and cardboard box is a potential playground.
At this age, play helps develop:
- Fine and gross motor skills
- Speech and language
- Problem-solving and persistence
Simple games like peekaboo, building with blocks, or role-playing with soft toys lay strong foundations for literacy and numeracy later on.
The power of play for primary-aged children
Primary-aged children thrive when they’re given time for creative, structured and unstructured play. It may be at scheduled playtimes, during a ‘wet play’ moment or during lessons when they are asked to ‘get creative’, whether inside or outside. It happens even when it is not expected to!
They benefit from:
- Board games that teach turn-taking
- Outdoor games that develop coordination
- Imaginative play that boosts storytelling and empathy
Play at this stage also helps children process emotions, manage friendships, and grow in independence.
Why play matters…for secondary-aged children too!
It’s a common myth that older children “grow out” of play — but it simply changes form. Teens still play; they just might call it something else.
Think drama, sport, music, coding, drawing, online games, or social role-play. These playful experiences help teenagers:
- Test boundaries in safe ways
- Build identity and self-esteem
- Strengthen peer connections
- Relieve stress and anxiety
Encouraging secondary-aged children to keep “playing” (even if they don’t call it that) is vital for emotional health and brain development. Remember that it can occur at home, at school, at a youth club, at an external club…wherever they enjoy their free time.
What children learn through play
No matter the age, play helps children develop their social skills as well as their personal growth. As well as learning about the world around them, they also pick up valuable information about:
- Sharing, turn-taking, teamwork
- Conflict resolution
- Empathy and understanding others
- Resilience and confidence
- Imagination and curiosity
- Managing feelings and coping with change
Through play, children learn to make mistakes safely — a crucial life skill in itself. This takes place whether alone or with others and happens when they are comfortable with their activity.
How to support play when you have no toys or resources
Play doesn’t need to cost anything. Some of the most meaningful play experiences come from:
- Imaginative storytelling: Create a story together with silly voices
- Outdoor exploration: Hunt for sticks, leaves, or bugs in the garden or park
- Household items: Pots become drums, blankets become dens
- Memory games or “I Spy”: Perfect for car rides or waiting rooms
Your time and attention are far more important than any toy. Using your imagination is an essential tool and demonstrates to your child how to use their most valuable resource – their brain. Who needs a screen?
How to make the most of toys
Toys are wonderful tools — when used mindfully. Here’s how to get the best from them:
- Choose open-ended toys: Blocks, dolls, or art supplies can be used in many ways
- Rotate toys: Fewer toys on offer often leads to more focused, creative play
- Join in: Play alongside your child sometimes — it builds connection and boosts their learning
- Let them lead: Avoid overly instructing. Follow your child’s ideas when you can
Less is often more when it comes to toy-based play.
What the experts say about play
Child development specialists, including those at the NSPCC , UNICEF and the LEGO Foundation, agree that play:
- Builds essential executive functioning skills (like focus, planning, and self-control)
- Prepares children better for formal learning
- Supports long-term mental wellbeing
According to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, play is so important that it is considered a fundamental right.
What parents can do to encourage play
Here are a few simple ways to support play in your family:
- Make time: Prioritise unstructured, screen-free playtime where possible
- Trust the process: Even “messing about” has value
- Praise creativity: Focus on effort and imagination, not just results
- Let them get bored: Boredom often sparks the most inventive ideas
- Read to them! Interactive, educational and develops bonds – see why reading is more powerful than you think
Above all, let play be joyful, not pressured. It doesn’t need to be educational to be beneficial.
Supporting children with SEND through play
For children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), play is just as important — and often even more so. It offers a safe, flexible space for expression, communication, and exploration without the pressure of formal learning.
Depending on the child’s needs, play might look different. Some children may prefer sensory activities, while others engage best through visual play, music, or movement. What matters most is adapting the environment so that all children can take part.
Play supports children with SEND in:
- Developing language and communication, including non-verbal expression
- Building sensory processing and emotional regulation
- Practising real-life skills in a low-stress setting
- Strengthening relationships with peers and adults
Parents don’t need specialist equipment to support this. Everyday items like fabric scraps, rice trays, or simple picture cards can spark meaningful interactions. Most importantly, tuning into your child’s play style and following their lead helps build trust and confidence.
➡️ Read more about finding the right support for children with SEND here.
The lasting value of play
From birth to the teenage years, play is one of the most powerful forces in a child’s life. It supports learning, builds confidence, nurtures relationships, and helps children become resilient, well-rounded individuals.
So next time your child is “just playing”, remember — their brain is hard at work.
Share the joy of play
We’d love to see what play looks like in your home. Share a photo of your child’s favourite playtime activity and tag us — let’s celebrate the joy of learning through play together!
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