September 2021

Five ways to boost your child’s wellbeing through play

Play is a way for children to show the world who they are and how they feel. And you can help them.

The LEGO Foundation
Children making funny faces

Play is a child’s social and emotional toolbox

Let’s take a look inside: When children play, they bond with others, express their feelings and work together as a team. It’s fun, helps them learn to regulate strong feelings, and boosts confidence. All of which makes playtime essential for children’s wellbeing.

Here’s how to encourage children to express their emotions

... and supercharge their social skills!

1. Get active
2. Get creative
3. Play make-believe
4. Encourage playing with others
5. Be playful yourself!

Join our free online course to learn simple ways to parent playfully

Thousands of people have signed up to our nine-module, learn-at-your-own-pace online course. You’ll look at life from your child’s point of view, and get plenty of practical tips for helping them manage emotional ups and downs through play.

Enroll here

Playful parenting needn’t be hard work

Don’t let worrying about how to play with your children get in the way of, well, playing! You’re probably doing lots of playful things already. But everyone runs out of inspiration sometimes. That's why we've gathered some of our favourite games. You can play them anywhere – using things you find at home.

Home made robots on a table

Art Bots

Ages: 6-9 years

People: 2+

Duration: 60+ minutes

pictures of cow and bowl with toy animals

Act Like an Animal

Ages: 0-3 years

People: 2+

Duration: 15-30 minutes

child dropping colour drops on cotton

Cotton Colours

Ages: 0-3 years

People: 2+

Duration: 15-30 minutes

Parachutes

Ages: 6-9 years

People: 1+

Duration: 30-60 minutes

Child holding LEGO DUPLO brick

Colour Hunt

Ages: 3-6 years

People: 2+

Duration: Under 15 minutes

Child drawing a chart on a piece of paper

Funny Statistics

Ages: 3-6 years

People: 2+

Duration: Under 15 minutes

Dive into our latest news, research, blogs and project stories

More
March 2024 News
Celebrating UN adoption of an International Day of Play
June 2023 Opinion
5 signs you’re (already) a playful parent
October 2022 Evidence
World Mental Health Day: How play can support children’s mental health
July 2022 Evidence
Good Life at home and at play
June 2022 Opinion
For families to play more, we need better policies
Playful parenting is a huge child development boost – but parents are too often over-stretched and under-supported. Here’s how systems can help families unlock the power of play.

Explore the research

More
Learning to cope through play
Play can help children (and grown-ups) handle life’s toughest moments. Delve into our latest paper to get all the details
In the classroom, In crisis settings, Wellbeing
Engaging young children in play
Children get more out of play when they take the lead. But the science shows us adults can – and should – join in. Here’s why
In the classroom, At home
Why school time is playtime
It’s official: play belongs in school. We’ve investigated eight different teaching methods to uncover the playfulness that’s already there. Dive in to learn more
In the classroom, Future skills
How play levels the playing field
Learning through play closes opportunity and inclusion gaps in early education. Let’s look at the evidence
Equality
How can reading be more playful?
Play is a powerful tool for children's language development. Here's why playful reading is so important.
In the classroom, Future skills
Learning through play: what the science says
Do you know that play builds brains? We look at research that shows how playful learning experiences lay the foundations for brain development and develops 21st century skills
In the classroom, At home, Future skills
The relationship between learning through play and holistic skills
Learning through play helps children develop the skills they need to thrive. And we’ve got an ever-growing body of evidence to illustrate it. Take a look.
Future skills, In the classroom
Positive play in a digital age
Children spend more time online than ever – so it is vitally important that digital platforms are a safe space to explore and learn through play. Here’s how organisations are steering industry and governments to put children’s wellbeing first.
Technology, Wellbeing
Why creativity matters and how play nurtures creative minds
Creativity is instinctive in children – and just as essential in adults. Here’s an introduction to what we know so far about why and how we should make space for children to hone creative skills.
In the classroom, At home, Future skills, Systems reform

Explore more

Play unlocks essential skills

Our world never stops changing, so how do we prepare children to navigate it? We let them play. Children thrive on play. It’s also perfect practice for tomorrow. Given the chance to think, negotiate, adapt to new rules and try again when things don’t go to plan, children develop essential skills that’ll last a lifetime.

Play boosts wellbeing for life

Better mental health. More resilience. A love of learning that lasts a lifetime. All ways that play boosts wellbeing from childhood.

Play is for everyone, everywhere

Play is how children learn naturally. That’s what makes it so powerful, and why it’s so important to make room for play.