Children love playing! They crash trains into each other and squish play-doh between their toes. Kids want to be involved in creating rules, so they learn to dictate their own boundaries. Parents want to control all the games, which is helpful sometimes, but spontaneous play is also super healthy!
Occasionally, we need a refresher course! I made a list of activities for kids!
Here are 25 spontaneous play activities.
- Kinetic Sand
- Water Games
- Colored Rice
- Play-doh
- Dress-up
- Dolls & Stuffed Animals
- Pretend Store
- Vehicles
- Drawing
- Painting
- Dabbing
- Gluing
- Taping
- Process Art
- DIY Musical Instruments
- Cup Sorting & Stacking
- Block Play
- Cardboard Boxes
- Puzzles
- Tents & Forts
- Swinging
- Climbing
- Running
- Scooting & Biking
- Nature-based Play
Playing is fun; I encourage it for adults and children, but if you want children to play independently, you will need to show them the items, reinforce safety rules, and clean up often. Don’t expect children to learn how to clean up overnight. Sorry!
This article promotes online products, but I firmly believe that children know how to make their own games. I also understand that parents like to prepare activities for their kids too.
We will dive into the importance of spontaneous play and in-depth examples of spontaneous play at home and school. Let’s talk about spontaneous play! 😄
Why is Spontaneous Play Important?
This article may contain affiliate links.
When organized and directed by children, spontaneous play sparks children’s innate love for learning. Imagine your child is wrapping blankets around a play structure to create a dark space for dolls to live in.
“What are you playing with?” you may ask. They might respond, “I am making a haunted house for my Sammy dog!”
When children engage in play without adult interaction, they are free to make choices, find appropriate tools, and implement learning materials.
Here are some reasons spontaneous play is essential.
- Kids learn to adapt to their environment.
- They are natural problem-solvers and use their tools and materials.
- Kids are more resilient.
- Children organically learn about STE(A)M.
- Kids are more confident.
- Children learn about personal boundaries.
- They have a higher attention span.
- Children are healthier overall.
“The improvisational nature of spontaneous free play builds flexibility and resilience in emotional and social responses, contributing to adaptability in the moment.”
The improvisational nature of spontaneous free play builds flexibility and resilience in emotional and social responses, contributing to adaptability in the moment. – Search (bing.com)
Check out this article for more benefits of spontaneous play.
Spontaneous play is critical for social-emotional development and health because of its “improvisational nature. Children learn to adapt to change in their environment and are “more resilient.”
Research says that children who are effective at playing learn how the natural world works and are healthier, preparing them for life and learning. Equipped with learning tools, kids understand how to manage their environment and well-being, vital for development.
Spontaneous play prepares children for future learning because they understand and relate to STEM subjects, making them more likely to succeed at creating solutions for major worldwide problems.
Manipulatives strengthen small muscles, while physical play encourages them to use their limbs, which is helpful for gross motor development. Dramatic play and creative activities –art and music– promote social-emotional learning. Many are sensory-related too, which is excellent for development. These types of games likely fall under the manipulatives category.
Basically, kids must play, especially in our concrete jungles!
Spontaneous Play Activities
When kids are involved in a child-led activity, they are not clearly guided or directed by a teacher, parent, or caregiver. Children might brainstorm and give instructions before trying an idea or just watch others if they are at school or with a group of friends.
Spontaneous play is done by preschoolers at school and child care centers; kids play at home, in community centers, and in parks too!
Adults may create the framework for an idea during preschool or kindergarten class. Spontaneous play works best when children develop their ideas and activities themselves.
Kids will eventually set up games with other people and collect materials after communicating ideas with others. Some of these games will be repetitive. That is okay! Sometimes, children play the same games to reinforce skills and identify challenges.
Play is still child-led or spontaneous even with adult preparation if the children take over the materials; adults should not pressure children to consider an activity or game.
Spontaneous Play In Early Childhood
Here is another article related to spontaneous play in early childhood. What Is Spontaneous Play in Early Childhood? – Mission Momplex
Children are typically free to manipulate, examine, and experience materials and tools within a safe child care environment. Spontaneous play in early childhood allows young children to learn about the world by experiencing it firsthand. They strengthen muscles, build social-emotional skills, and learn to problem-solve.
If you are an educator or a curious parent, it might be helpful to understand how they are categorized. Most child-care providers must meet particular standards before implementing an activity or promoting materials for spontaneous play.
Spontaneous play typically falls under some developmental domain in early childhood. Play also needs to relate to a curriculum area within early childhood development. When you identify the curriculum area, get more specific when you want to develop an idea for an activity. Don’t fret if children don’t use the materials as planned. It is okay!
Others overlap with one another, which is okay! Subject areas need to overlap.
Check out this article for more information on spontaneous play in early childhood.
Many games prepared by adults, adult-initiated play, turn into spontaneous play, which is okay too! Adults pave the way for little learners to succeed at their goals, whether adult-initiated or child-led.
Child-led play typically involves the child directing the experience, but for younger children who need some instruction, consider setting it up and playing a few minutes before switching to another task.
After some time, you will notice that preschoolers will voluntarily set up an activity or game.
This article promotes online products, but I firmly believe that children know how to make their own games. I also understand that parents like to prepare activities for their kids too.
#1 Kinetic Sand
A tried and true sensory game, sand is an excellent way for kids to be independent and in control. Parents can give them the items they need and depart.
I recommend purchasing big bags of sand for older children to enhance their ideas; put them in a large plastic container or wooden box. Infants and toddlers only need a little in a small tray or baking sheet pan.
My children love playing with sand; sometimes, they want me to play, but they are fine on their own most of the time.
There are endless toys to go with-sand rollers, plastic accessories, molds- but I find my kids appreciate the “around the house” stuff more. Try using plastic measuring cups, cardboard, and other toys!
Spontaneous games kids play with kinetic sand: fossil hunts, sandcastles, paint or glue the sand, pretend food, letter drawing, finding the hidden object, cookie cutters, letter stamping, rolling, stacking, sand slime, zen gardens.
#2 Water Games
While the set-up for water tables can be a challenge, especially if you are tired and don’t feel like getting the supplies ready, the benefits are endless. Many children like water as a spontaneous activity!
Children can use the bathtub, sink, plastic tubs, and water sprayers when it isn’t nice outside or when parents don’t have the energy to haul the hose and water table out.
Spontaneous play is never-ending during water play because it involves many body and brain areas. Hand-eye coordination, fractions, buoyancy, and motor skills develop when kids are engaged in water play.
Spontaneous games children play with water tables: fishing, funneling, washing pretend dishes, ramps, cars, chalk, coloring, spray bottles, foam letters, blocks, rocks or gems, ice mixing, boats
#3 Colored Rice
Like sand and other sensory-related materials, colored rice is prepared by adults first. After parents or teachers make the rice, the children go for the games!
After the initial set-up, children can use it as they wish. I know from experience that my daughter would use this for glue art projects because she prefers gluing most sensory materials together. My son might use this as food for his dolls! Kids will use it anyway they want, and it is fun to make too!
Spontaneous games children play with sensory rice: hide the toy, funnels, trucks and cars, gluing, dumping, color sorting, kitchen utensils, holiday rice bins, nature sensory bins, magnets
#4 Play-Doh
Another very popular manipulative, Play-doh is a huge staple in my house. Maybe, I have kids who love sensory materials, but we play with play-doh all the time!
For independent activities, kids will use it to make pretend food like noodles or sandwiches, and they might also use it to mend items together.
A more recent discovery in our house is being able to re-hydrate it after it hardens. We use plastic Ziploc bags and warm water to soak it before squishing the heck out of it on a table. It takes a while, but eventually, it is like new.
Kids love making homemade dough too! My kids have been requesting homemade dough for a while. Here is a tutorial on how to make salt doh.
Spontaneous games children play with Play-doh: Pretend food, rehydrate the dough, gluing, molding, patterns in the dough, stamping, cookie cut-outs, Lego imprints, sensory tables, DIY animal/insect shapes
#5 Dress-up
Halloween isn’t the only time to dress up!
Dramatic play is done universally and with props, materials, and costumes. Certain things may be involved in dramatic play, such as jewelry, makeup, shoes, and clothing. Children will want to explain who they are, which will likely change from time to time as they play and understand the qualities of each person.
In child-care, this might be a section of a room with a kitchen with food or a pretend stage with particular costumes for children to use.
At home, kids may use clothing to make an outfit to mimic a person in their life or use towels, scarves, or blankets to be a character from a show.
Spontaneous games children play during dress-up: playing house, acting out a movie, singing songs, acting out books, role-play, cooking, fairy tales, police, fireman, airport, doctor, cafe, library
#6 Dolls and Stuffed Animals
Whether Barbies, stuffed animals, or handmade dolls, children love using dolls to process events and plan their ideas. Using dolls for spontaneous play allows children to develop dialogue and play independently while parents are busy.
They may use dolls with sensory-related materials too. It is common to see dolls washed in the bathtub or covered in sand. Some kids may use makeup or hair accessories on dolls.
I remember shoving earrings in my stuffies when I was younger!
Generation Mindful has great stuffies for kids who need emotional support! Please consider supporting their mission.
Spontaneous games children play with dolls: stuffy party, organizing them from biggest to smallest, Hide-and-seek stuffies, toss the animals, Barbie games, brushing hair, changing clothes, fashion shows, nursery, role-play
#7 Pretend Store
Okay, I know playing store falls under the dress-up category, but it is like its own thing. It’s like the “Is a hot dog a sandwich?” debate.
There are many options for children who love dramatic play when they learn to start their own stores. Children witness adults working frequently and want to make their mark on the world too.
Children want to make stores out of anything they have; blocks, dolls, flowers, pizza, and books!
Playing store teaches children time management and social-emotional skills as they navigate space, supplies, and temperaments. Pretend play is a magical moment for children, and when it is spontaneous, it’s truly organic and necessary for growth and development.
Spontaneous games children play during store: Pizza Shop, Cupcake Cafe, Library, Post Office, Nurse the baby, Veterinary, Sub Shop, Ice Cream Parlor, Cleaner/Maid, Excavator, Truck Driver, Barista, Taxi Driver
#8 Vehicles
Some children are obsessed with different types of vehicles. There are cars, trucks, train tracks, monster trucks, hot wheels, fire trucks, legos, dumpers, bulldozers, car transporters, excavators, police cars, Barbie cars, steam rollers, etc.
Seriously, no wonder kids are into vehicles! There are so many!
Vehicles are present in everyday life; they represent different ways to improve communities and are around during everyday social situations.
Kids engaged in cars or trucks are developing so many skills-verbal, motor, social– that will help them with their daily lives. They learn to communicate the same way children involved in dramatic play act out a scene.
Spontaneous play happens organically with vehicles, whether they are contemplating crossing a bridge of books or figuring out how they will transfer blocks from the house to the dump pile.
Spontaneous games children play with vehicles: building, dumping, crashing, crushing, smoothing, fire games, police chase, transportation, the dump, train station
#9 Drawing
Young children draw to develop their hands’ muscles and reflect on past situations. Drawing is very therapeutic and will strengthen their finger and wrist muscles. Drawing also leads to writing skills, which is beneficial for young children.
Sometimes, kids will want to use art independently or with a caregiver if they request help. Kids’ writing tools are usually pencils, colored pencils, markers, and paint sticks.
Kids process their family situations, school environments, and unique experiences by creating art that goes with the stories in their heads.
Spontaneous drawings and games: family, houses, parks, random letters, toys and objects, balloons, geometric shapes, lines, animals, landscapes, food, stick figures, cartoons, vehicles, sports, tracing
#10 Painting
Young children who use paint are likely practicing manipulating the tools and feeling the paint ooze between their fingers during hand printing paintings or sensory smushes.
Older children will develop stories from their paintings and use the materials for complex social-emotional play.
Kids will make art stores pretend they are artists or use art to supplement different play strategies. For example, a child will create a sign for their lemonade stand or paint the exterior of a box for their rocketship.
Here is a video of my kids painting together. They pretended they were Bob Ross; they even smacked the devil out of their brushes! 🤣
Spontaneous paintings and games: artists, trees, animals, people, sea creatures, paint blending, handprint paintings, seasonal activities, paint by number, objects, rainbows, splatter, finger painting
#11 Dabbing
For infants and toddlers, dabbing will look like hitting because they learn to put their hands on the paper or cardstock while grasping the dabber.
They want to hear the sound the dabbers make when they hit the paper, and eventually, they will start paying attention to the images they have created with the dabbers.
Older kids use dabbers for making familiar scenes from parks and everyday life, games, and activities.
Spontaneous dabbing games children play: bingo, dab the dot books, rainbows, trees, caterpillars, letters, numbers, shapes, animals, cardboard crafts, construction paper activities
#12 Gluing
Young children genuinely love glue. I have kids who absolutely can’t live without it!
There are many different types of glues, and they are used for lots of random games and activities. Kids love using the purple sticks for their typical paper crafts and hot glue for wooden stick games.
Kids play independently with glue, often at home and at school. It is a reasonably harmless way for kids to experience power over their materials. Glue solves problems and promotes creativity.
Spontaneous gluing games children play: crafting, building, glitter, pom pom balls, foam letters, buttons, cotton balls, cardboard, beads, colored sand, seasonal crafts, tracing
#13 Taping
Many children prefer tape over other crafting materials; it is durable, flexible, and versatile. Tape holds things together and is used for games of all sorts.
Some games promote cooperation and communication, while other tape-related activities require creative skills.
No matter the skill, children play with tape for many different reasons. It is easy to see the benefit of tape once they start showing an interest in it.
Spontaneous taping games children play: spider web, tape roads, tic-tac-toe, letters and numbers, maze, crafting, hopscotch, balance beams, ball roll, window games, tape art
#14 Process Art
Process art is very self-directed because the whole idea is for the child to control the materials to appreciate the exploration of the materials and not the finished outcome.
Some kids love process art; others prefer waiting for instructions.
If your child is into certain art supplies, consider letting them explore any way they want so they understand the material.
Process art is done with stencils, chalk, glitter, tape, rhinestones, doilies, and wooden sticks. There are many more materials out there just waiting to get explored.
Here is an example of my daughter using glitter for her process art. She mixed it with layers of paint, water, and oil. Afterward, she put it on a sheet tray to dry outside. A few weeks later, she used it to glue onto seashells we found at the beach.
We have a collection of glittery seashells for her to use for whatever else she wants!
Now she gives out seashells to her friends during the holidays.
Spontaneous process art materials: clay, paper, cardboard, chalk, glitter, stones, gems, stencils, sticks, forks, spoons, glue, bubble wrap, sponges, paint, yarn, leaves, markers, tape, foil
#15 DIY Instruments
Kids love to use music when they are bored, for fun parties, and to re-create scenes.
The video above will introduce your child to some handmade instruments. Use materials you have to create instruments, buy your own, or borrow from a friend.
It doesn’t take kids long to see that everything around them is an opportunity for improvised music!
Spontaneous music activities children play: Dance Parties, pretend Record Store, elevate the mood, DIY musical instruments, singing, whistling, musical games, dancing with props
#16 Cup Sorting & Stacking
A great for kids to play independently is to provide them with cups and shape sorters. These items help children develop fine motor skills by learning to balance the cups and put the figures in the correct spots.
They will use plastic toys like the one above, wooden ones, or things lying around the house –drinking cups and other materials– pillows, blankets, towels, containers, etc.
Spontaneous sorting and stacking games kids play: dump and fill, nesting, counting, music, picture identification, pretend eating, shape sorting, stacking, tapping, color matching
#17 Blocks
Learning how to develop structures is excellent for children who want to feel independent and creative. Often, child care centers have blocks in huge supply; homes only have so much space. Regardless of the setting, when children play with blocks, they learn to build, negotiate ideas, and problem-solve.
There are seven stages to block play: carrying, stacking, bridging, enclosures, patterns, early representation, and later representation.
When they value spontaneous play, they may rely on blocks to solve an issue or supplement a game.
According to NAEYC, block play helps children develop and learn through:
- Imagination
- Problem-solving
- Mathematics
- Self-expression
- Social-emotional
- Science
- Spatial reasoning
Spontaneous block play: castles, ramps, the dump, towers, bridges, block sorting, build a city
#18 Cardboard boxes
Have you gotten a package, only to notice your kid playing with the box more than the toy? We have all been there.
Some kids love playing with cardboard boxes!
Out of all the independent play ideas listed here, boxes are a classic source of entertainment for children of all ages.
Spontaneous cardboard box games: Space ship, store, house, castle, ramps, sleds, slides, drawing, cutting, car, dollhouse, magician, forts, easels, boat, tunnels, peek-a-boo, pirate
#19 Puzzles
Some children love puzzles!
There are games, strategy puzzles, and standard picture puzzles. When they are available, children will gravitate toward them to occupy themselves and experience a healthy challenge.
Consider your child’s temperament because some children do get frustrated with puzzles.
Free play should be about freedom to choose. When adults make activities available, they should understand that not all kids prefer the same things.
Those who prefer puzzles will get them out frequently to match, organize, sort, and create!
Different types of puzzles: logic, trivia, word, shapes, patterns, riddles, math, pictures, crossword, jigsaw
#20 Tents and Forts
Do you remember the long winter days when you were a kid?
I remember using blankets, pillows, and cushions to make different play structures. I encourage my children to use these materials to create tents and forts during play.
Tents help children escape the pressures of everyday life. They can put themselves into a world of their own, which is the whole point of spontaneous play.
Creating tents provides stress-relief, sensory experiences, dramatic play, and negotiating. Kids learn they can make a different place to live with their rules, boundaries, and supplies. They will hide things in the fort, prepare new activities and games within the fort, and identify problems to fix.
Fort games: pajama party, house, teacher, building, tunneling, chase, reading, tea party
#21 Swinging
Children run for the swingsets at playgrounds because they love flying and feeling free! Some want to run around the play structures, so they dodge other people already swinging.
Kids typically love swinging, and it’s pretty obvious why!
Swings allow children to be in control of their bodies and feel the breeze on their faces. Kids love chatting to their neighbors on the swings and playing games in the nets.
Independent play is common on swingsets because kids are usually a fair distance away from their parents and allowed to explore within the confines of the park structures.
Spontaneous play on swingsets: tornado, Superman, tower kick, blast off, hot lava, jumping off
#22 Climbing
If you have a climber, then you know the different ways kids play on climbing structures. There are all sorts of play equipment modified for climbers like rock walls, nets, ropes, and bars.
Some kids prefer simple climbing methods like ladders and stairs, while others like challenges.
This type of spontaneous play is great for children who crave exploration and a bit of danger. Some climbers get hurt, but it is all part of navigating their territory as they learn to be independent in their space.
Spontaneous games for climbers: monkey bars, rock walls, climbing towers, ropes, fireman poles, castles
#23 Running
While I am not totally familiar with the running type –because my kids are more the climbing type– some kids do randomly run.
Running is healthy for children and adults, and kids in particular benefit from running because they are growing and developing rapidly during their early stages.
Kids may want to run to the mailbox or participate in cross-country to get in their steps.
Some schools or community centers have field days involving running games, proving beneficial for many since they are still very popular.
Although these games are more organized, I included them because kids still run all the time!
Running games for kids: red light, green light, tag, sharks and minnow, relay race, lava monster, football, soccer, capture the flag, laser tag, egg and spoon race, Mr. Fox
#24 Scooting and Biking
Different kinds of active play stimulate various areas of the body and mind. Kids who can play outside independently with their scooters and bikes understand their neighborhood, ways to predict traffic, and house numbers.
If this sounds scary, bear with me!
Children who live in the city rarely get to explore their natural environment because of industrialization. Spontaneous bike rides are vital for development because children learn to cope naturally and use their resources when they feel restrained in the house.
When the pandemic hit, the first thing my kids learned to do was ride around the block by themselves. They were pretty young too! While I am proud that a 6-year-old understands how to direct traffic and bike up steep hills, many children cannot go because of bustling streets. I get that too!
Allow your kids to feel independent on their biked toys when they can to get the feeling of freedom and a chance to make new friends.
Spontaneous bike and scooter activities: riding around the block, chase, cones, obstacle course, race, ramps, zig-zagging, tag, jumping, tricks, bowling
#25 Nature-based play
Kids play independently outdoors while watching butterflies, catching bugs, and saving bumblebees. Nature-based play is exceptionally healthy for young children, and kids should get outside whenever they can.
Nature-based play is vital for cognitive development because it “stimulates creativity and problem-solving skills integral to executive function development.”
Nature play is important for the cognitive development of early learners | InformalScience.org
For some, spontaneous play involves playing in the elements or chasing neighborhood critters. While for others, it should be bird-watching or watching the clouds.
Spontaneous nature-based activities: digging holes, mud puddles, bird watching, insect catching, cloud watching, playing in the river, catching frogs, berry picking, stick building
Sources
- 10 Super Simple Rice Sensory Bins – Little Bins for Little Hands
- 27 Satisfying Kinetic Sand Activities for Pre-K and Elementary School (weareteachers.com)
- ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS: 8 SWING GAMES + 8 AWESOME SWINGS FOR KIDS – The Inspired Treehouse
- DAP: Planning and Implementing an Engaging Curriculum to Achieve Meaningful Goals | NAEYC
- Fun PE Running Games for teachers and parents to do with their kids (marathonkids.org)
- Nature play is important for the cognitive development of early learners | InformalScience.org
- Seeking Balance in Motion: The Role of Spontaneous Free Play in Promoting Social and Emotional Health in Early Childhood Care and Education – PMC (nih.gov)
- Sensory Play For Kids– examples, ideas, indoors, outdoors – Mission Momplex
- Temperaments– Children, What they are, Importance – Mission Momplex
- Ten Things Children Learn From Block Play | NAEYC
- Ultimate List of Dramatic Play Ideas for Preschoolers (playtolearnpreschool.us)
- Why Do Kids Love Tents & Forts So Much? Experts Explain Why They Love Their Little Secret Spots (romper.com)
- What Is Spontaneous Play in Early Childhood? – Mission Momplex
- Why Is Writing Important in Early Childhood? – Mission Momplex
- What is Block Play? – Answered – Twinkl Teaching Wiki
- What is Adult-Led Play? – Mission Momplex