ADVENTUROUS PLAY

Parent Connect 2/13/2025

The following information is from a class that the staff took in 2023 from Penn State’s Extension program: "Adventurous Play: The How's & Why's"

What is Adventurous Play?

  • Risk taking

  • Trying new things

  • Pushing the limits

  • Messy play/art

  • Sensory play

  • Heavy lifting/pushing

  • Spinning, hugging, squeezing, rocking, being upside down, balancing

  • Using dangerous tools

  • Being near dangerous elements (water, sticks, rocks, fire)

  • Heights

  • Speed

  • Rough & tumble / Wrestling/  “Big body play”

  • Playing alone

Touching what’s in a pumpkin is “adventurous play”.

What are the benefits of Adventurous Play?

  • Problem solving skills

  • Self confidence

  • Knowing one's limits - less likely to get hurt

  • Persistence

  • Being a good reader

  • Improved focus

  • Prepares one to learn how to drive

  • Physical strength

  • Having a growth mindset… the power of “yet”.  “I can’t do it YET, but I will!”

  • Self control

  • Resilience

  • Social development - teamwork, relationships

Apprehensions/Worries/Barriers to Adventurous Play

  • Safety - getting hurt

Talk them through it. When a child embraces risk, our first instinct may be to remove them from the situation or warn them to “be careful.” A more meaningful response is to talk them through the risk. This way, we build children’s risk assessment and confidence. Before jumping in, take a moment to observe your child. What are they working on? What are the potential risks they face? Encourage them to think about or remember a goal for their activity (perhaps to reach the top of the play structure or the next branch). Then, invite them to tell you how their brain and their body feel as they work toward it. Siblings, same-aged peers, and friends are also good candidates for talking through risk with children.

  • Worry about dangerous tools - someone getting hurt

  • Rough & Tumble/Wrestling/Big Body Play - too rough

What are we doing at WWP to encourage Adventurous Play?

  • Playground - mud kitchen, downspout, sand play, climber/slides (climbing up slide), rocks, sticks, snow, ice

  • Gym - tumbling mats, trampoline, climber, hanging bar

  • Sensory table - water, sand, rice, etc.

  • We narrate what the kids are doing. Talking about how they’re using their bodies.

  • Tools - hammering

  • Messy art - finger paint, shaving cream, etc.

  • Science exploration & experiments: pumpkin carving, ice, etc.

  • Sensory play - playdough, glurch, sand, snow

  • Circle time: dancing, singing, musical instruments, yoga

  • Cooking projects: tasting new foods

  • Sledding

  • Field trips - going to new places, having new experiences

Ideas to try with your family:

  • Big Art - paint/color large cardboard box

  • Tools - hammering golf tees into styrofoam or cardboard

  • Letting them cut using a kid knife

    Additional Resources:

"Encourage Your Child With Risks During Play" from NAEYC

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