We are a gymnastics school; organized teaching is what we do. But as gymnastics educators we also realize that kids need playtime that isn’t always teacher-led. In today’s busy world, childhood can sometimes feel like a never-ending schedule. School, homework, sports, activities, appointments, and screen time can quickly fill a child’s day.
While structured activities are incredibly valuable, children also need something that can be easy to overlook: unstructured play time.
Unstructured play is simply time when children can play without a specific goal, lesson, schedule, or adult-directed activity. They get to decide what to do, how to play, and when to change things up.
And that freedom is important for healthy development.
Unstructured Play Builds Creativity
When adults aren’t telling children exactly what to do, kids have an opportunity to use their imagination. A cardboard box can become a spaceship. The backyard can become an obstacle course. A blanket can become a fort. This type of open-ended play encourages children to create their own games, stories, and activities. There doesn’t have to be a “right” way to play.
It Helps Kids Become Problem Solvers
Unstructured play gives children the chance to figure things out on their own.
What happens when their tower falls down? How can they make the game more fun? What should they do when two friends want to play different games?
These little moments help children practice decision-making, flexibility, and problem-solving skills. There have been so many times where I wanted to swoop in with my kids and be their problem-solver: for braiding a doll’s hair, removing a lego, or even getting a cap off a marker, but eventually my kids figured out those “little problems” which has led to solving “bigger problems”.
It Encourages Movement
Kids naturally move when they have the freedom to play. They run, jump, climb, balance, roll, dance, crawl, and explore their surroundings. All of these activities help children develop coordination, strength, balance, body awareness, and confidence in how they move.
Structured activities like gymnastics can help children develop these skills in a safe and intentional environment, while free play gives them an opportunity to practice movement in their own creative ways. You can facilitate movement by putting on music and just see what happens. You might even join in too!
It Develops Social Skills
Playing with other children isn’t always easy—and that’s actually part of the benefit. During unstructured play, children learn how to share, communicate, compromise, take turns, make decisions together, and work through disagreements. Instead of an adult solving every problem for them, children have opportunities to practice handling social situations independently. Creativity can also be collective. From teaching day camps and having my own kids, it’s amazing what a group of kids can come up with. The story or game can change in a way from the original intention.
It Builds Independence and Confidence
When children are constantly told what to do next, they have fewer opportunities to make their own choices. Unstructured play changes that.
Children get to decide:
“What do I want to do?”
“How do I want to play?”
“What should we try next?”
Those small decisions help children develop independence and confidence in their own abilities.
Kids Need Downtime, Too
Children don’t need to be learning, practicing, or accomplishing something every minute of the day. Just like adults, kids need time to relax and recharge. Sometimes that means allowing your child to experience a little boredom. And boredom isn’t necessarily a bad thing. When children aren’t immediately given entertainment, they’re often motivated to create their own. That can lead to imagination, creativity, exploration, and play.
So what can we do as parents to make room for unstructured play?
Creating more opportunities for unstructured play doesn’t have to mean completely changing your family’s schedule.
Try setting aside a little time each day to:
- Play outside without a planned activity
- Build with blocks or Legos
- Draw or create
- Make up a game
- Explore nature
- Play pretend
- Ride bikes or scooters
- Build a fort
- Simply let your child decide what to do
The goal isn’t to make play another item on the schedule. The goal is to give kids the freedom to play.
Let Kids Be Kids
At Shooting Starz Gymnastics, we believe structured activities have an important place in a child’s development. Gymnastics helps children build physical skills while also developing confidence, perseverance, focus, and teamwork. But we also believe childhood needs balance.
Kids need opportunities to learn new skills and opportunities to simply explore. They need instruction and independence. They need organized activities and time to make up their own games. So the next time your child says, “I’m bored,” don’t feel like you have to immediately fill the silence. Give them some space. You might be surprised by what they come up with.
Because sometimes, the most valuable part of childhood is simply having the freedom to play.
Pre-School Open Gym is a great opportunity for kids to “just play”. Pre-School Open Gym takes place at our Team Gym. This is an unstructured, supervised playtime for ages crawling to 5 years old. We put out plenty of mats and props but let the kids guide the play. It is always great to see what they can turn into a game or if suddenly the rainbow rocker becomes a space ship! Join us on Tuesdays at 10:00am.
Shooting Starz Gymnastics
We’re proud to provide children with opportunities to learn, move, grow, and have fun in a positive and encouraging environment.
Let them learn. Let them move. Let them PLAY!
-Ms. Becky
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