Risky Play, the benefits and barriers.
We often talk about risky play when discussing Forest School, so we wanted to take a closer look at what it really means and why it matters. It is a core part of what we do, and we believe it plays a vital role in healthy childhood development.
We understand that watching your child take part in activities that involve risk can sometimes make your heart race. The natural instinct may be to step in and stop them. However, we’d like to explore why these moments are not only valuable, but why children benefit from being supported and encouraged to experience this kind of play.
What is risky play?
Risky play refers to any activity where children take on challenges and make decisions that involve a level of uncertainty or potential danger. It is play where there is a possibility of getting hurt—but importantly, it is managed risk, not harm.
Key categories of risky play, including:
Height (e.g. climbing)
Speed (e.g. running, swinging)
Using tools
Being near natural elements (like fire or water)
Rough and tumble play
Exploring independently within boundaries
Impact (crashing, jumping)
Vicarious risk (watching others take risks)
What risky play looks like will vary greatly depending on each child’s age, experience, and confidence. For one child, it might be building the courage to step into a shallow stream. For another, it might be climbing higher into a tree or engaging in energetic physical play with peers.
At Forest School, opportunities for risky play are everywhere. Children might use tools to whittle, help to build and light a fire, construct dens, explore woodland areas, climb trees, engage in rough-and-tumble play, or navigate uneven ground filled with roots, mud, logs, and natural obstacles.
Why do we encourage risky play?
Risky play helps children to:
Build confidence and self-belief
Develop physical skills like balance, coordination, and strength
Learn to assess and manage risk for themselves
Improve problem-solving and decision-making
Develop resilience and perseverance
Experience excitement, challenge, and achievement
When children are given the chance to test their limits in a supportive environment, they learn what they are capable of. They begin to understand their own boundaries and how to keep themselves safe—skills that are essential for life.
Our approach at Into the woods
While we actively encourage risky play, this does not mean children are left without guidance. All activities are carefully supported by trained adults who carry out risk-benefit assessments and ensure that children are prepared, supervised, and equipped to take part safely.
Our role is not to remove risk entirely, but to create an environment where children can experience challenge in a way that is appropriate and empowering. By doing so, we help them grow into confident, capable, and resilient individuals.