The Power of Risky Play: Why Scrapes, Squeals, and Adventure Are Essential

In celebration of World Play Day and International Day of Play, we're delving into one of the most powerful - and often misunderstood - ways children grow and thrive: risky play.

"Children learn how to assess and manage risk not by being told, but by doing. Risky play allows for just the right amount of uncertainty to help children grow."
— Dr Mariana Brussoni, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Public Health at the University of British Columbia

At SPARK POP, we're parents too. We understand the instinct to protect. But when we embrace the right kind of risk, the rewards are lifelong.

Updated May 5 2025

Melissa Soutar

Celebrating Play with Purpose

Think less 'reckless' and more 'resilient'. Risky play is all about giving kids the space to climb, balance, explore and stretch their limits in safe but challenging ways. And while it may involve the occasional scrape, it's also where confidence, creativity, and mental toughness are born.

Ready to shake off the bubble wrap and embrace play that empowers? Let's explore why risky play is one of the greatest gifts we can give our kids - and how to do it well.

What is Risky Play and Why Does it Matter?

Picture this, your child, eyes lit with excitement, as they climb high, leap boldly, or zip through a ropes course. These moments, bubbling with energy and just the right amount of uncertainty, are what risky play is all about.

Risky pay includes climbing, jumping, balancing, moving at speed, or navigating unfamiliar challenges - where the risk is real but manageable. It's where children learn to assess danger, trust their instincts, and discover what they're capable of.

And best of all? They love it.

Experiences like a ninja course, surf lesson, or zipline adventure aren't just fun - they're the perfect stage for kids to explore courage, coordination, and confidence all at once.

Resilience is built one challenge at a time

Every time a child climbs higher, falls, and tries again, they’re building emotional muscle. Resilience isn’t something we can teach with words—it’s something children develop through action.

“A scraped knee is a small price to pay for a more confident, competent child.”
— Tim Gill, Author of No Fear: Growing Up in a Risk Averse Society

So whether it’s taking a fall from a balance beam or wiping out on a wave, these “failures” aren’t setbacks—they’re the stepping stones to strength and self-belief.

RESILIENCE

Mini Karting Sydney

Confidence Through Control and Choice

Children feel more confident when they are trusted to make their own decisions, take calculated risks, and succeed (or fail) on their own terms.

“The ability to navigate risk is a crucial life skill. When we allow kids to take risks in play, they learn self-regulation, judgment, and problem-solving.”
— Angela Hanscom, Pediatric Occupational Therapist and Author of Balanced and Barefoot

Risky play nurtures self-trust. When children realise they can climb higher, balance longer, or go faster than they thought—they carry that confidence into all areas of life.

CONFIDENCE

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Finding the Sweet Spot: Safe, Supported Risky Play

We’re not talking about danger without boundaries. Risky play is most effective—and empowering—when it’s done in the right environment.

At SPARK POP, we partner with providers who offer structured, supervised experiences, so parents can relax knowing their kids are safe as they explore new territory.

How to support healthy risk:

Be present without micromanaging
Choose age-appropriate adventures with trained facilitators
Celebrate effort, not just success

“Risky play isn’t about pushing children into danger, it’s about allowing them to stretch and test themselves in developmentally appropriate ways.”
— Dr Justin Coulson, Parenting Expert and Founder of Happy Families

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Zipline Challenge

Sunshine Coast | QLD

Treetop trails and tightropes teach kids how to trust themselves and keep calm under pressure. It’s an adventure with a serious side of self-confidence.

Feel the need for speed? Kids take control behind the wheel, learning self-awareness and fast-paced decision-making on a pro-style track.

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Try it at Home: Low-Stakes Ways to Add Risky Play

You don’t need a ropes course to build resilience. Here’s how to incorporate manageable risk into everyday life:

Let them climb trees or balance on logs at the park
Encourage unstructured outdoor play where they can explore freely
Give them “real” tools to build, dig, or create
Let them walk slightly ahead on a trail or navigate a path on their own

These moments may feel small—but they build big confidence.

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The Play That Shapes the Future

Risky play isn’t reckless—it’s a rite of passage. In a world filled with screens, schedules and structure, giving our kids the space to test their limits is a powerful gift.

This World Play Day, we invite you to explore experiences that go beyond the ordinary and spark growth in extraordinary ways.

👉 Explore Risky Play Experiences Across Australia

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