A national poll reveals what’s missing from our kids’ playtime—and it’s not toys

On a bright morning at the playground, a little boy teeters at the top of the climbing frame, pride lighting up his face. Just below, his mum hovers, arms half-raised, heart racing. It’s an image most parents recognise: wanting our children to soar, while secretly fearing they’ll fall.

According to a new report from the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health, that quiet tug-of-war between encouragement and fear may be shaping how our kids play, and what they’re learning in the process.

Researchers surveyed parents of children aged one to five and found that while play is thriving, it’s also changing in subtle but significant ways. Most parents (88%) said their young child engages in physical play like running, jumping, or climbing on a typical day. But fewer children spend time in make-believe play (68%) or object play, like puzzles or blocks (54%), activities that nurture imagination, problem-solving, and focus.

Perhaps most tellingly, nearly one in ten parents said their child plays outside just once a week or less, and four in ten admitted feeling nervous when their child goes too far or too high during play.

Related: Why thousands of parents are obsessed with this playful lesson on ‘minding your business’

The paradox of modern play

To any parent, the poll findings sound familiar. We want our children to explore, but safety concerns and screen convenience often get in the way.

The Mott poll found that most parents of preschoolers (78%) and nearly half of parents of toddlers (47%) allow or encourage their child to play games on a phone or tablet, often to keep them occupied in the car, while running errands, or when parents need to focus on something else.

It’s an understandable choice in a busy, overstimulated world. But experts caution that digital entertainment, while convenient, can’t replace the benefits of independent, self-directed play, especially outdoors.

Play is how children learn who they are and what they’re capable of. It’s how they experiment with control, push boundaries, and recover from small stumbles—both literal and emotional. “To a young child, it’s fun to run, build a tower with blocks, or pretend to bake a cake,” the Mott report explains. “But parents should realise that important things happen while children play.”

Why “risky play” builds confidence

The phrase might make parents cringe, but risky play, activities that feel slightly daring, like climbing trees, swinging high, or exploring unfamiliar spaces is about growth.

Half of parents in the poll (51%) strongly agreed that it’s healthy for children to take risks when they play. Those parents were also more likely to report that their child plays independently, climbing, swinging, and testing limits without constant assistance.

For young children, those moments of independence builds confidence, self-regulation, and resilience—the inner voice that says, I can try again. As the report notes, “Risky play boosts confidence and self-esteem, and helps develop problem solving and risk assessment.”

Still, 48% of parents said they typically hold their child’s hand or stand right next to them during new physical challenges. And 41% said they feel nervous when their child ventures too far or too high.

The instinct to protect is biological. But the report reminds parents that “prohibiting a child from risky play, or insisting on holding their hand throughout, impedes that child’s development.” Instead, it encourages being “available but not hurried in offering assistance,” a gentle step back that allows children to learn what their bodies and instincts can do.

Outdoor play: Nature’s best classroom

Beyond the playground, outdoor play has been shown to boost physical health, improve eye development, and nurture an appreciation for nature. Yet nearly one in ten parents said their child plays outside once a week or less.

Even short bursts of outdoor time, collecting leaves, balancing on a curb, digging in the sand, give children opportunities for sensory exploration, creativity, and emotional release. These unstructured moments, where kids decide what’s fun and how to play, help them feel in control of their world.

The Mott team notes that play doesn’t have to be elaborate or toy-driven: “Play can happen anytime and anywhere; with toys or with everyday household objects; alone, with parents, or with other children.” What matters most is that it’s child-led, driven by curiosity, not instruction.

Related: Mom lets her toddler play quietly—what she finds in his room leaves her speechless

Letting go—just a little

If you’ve ever caught yourself saying “be careful” for the third time in a minute, you’re not alone. Parenting young children in today’s world means balancing fear with trust.

But as this poll quietly reminds us, letting go a little may be the best lesson we give our kids. By stepping back just far enough for them to wobble, test, and recover, we teach them that they can rely on themselves—a lesson no app, class, or perfectly planned activity can match.

So the next time your child climbs a little too high or insists on crossing the monkey bars alone, take a deep breath and watch from a safe distance. Their growing confidence might be the most important milestone of all.

Source:

1. C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health. 2025. “Parent perspectives on play.”