The image of a child at play, a tower of blocks wobbling, dolls lined up for a tea party, a chase through the garden, can look deceptively simple. Yet researchers remind us that play is not a luxury. It is one of the most powerful tools parents have to nurture healthy, resilient children. The American Academy of Pediatrics even recommends that doctors “prescribe” play, urging parents to make daily space for it.

Play does more than keep children entertained. It fuels brain development, builds executive function skills, and teaches self-regulation. When children play freely, they learn problem solving, practice language, and experiment with emotions in a safe environment. Neuroscientists note that play helps stressed young brains find calm, giving children a sense that the world is manageable.

Whilst the research is compelling the reality is more complicated. Compared to a generation ago, children today spend more time indoors, more time on screens, and less time in imaginative or outdoor play. Factors such as safety concerns, overscheduled lives, and academic pressure all play a part. The result is worrying: as play has declined, rates of anxiety and depression in school-aged children have climbed.

Generational shifts in parenting also shape how play is valued. Baby Boomers often emphasised structured, educational play. Generation X parents, reacting to their own less supervised childhoods, leaned into helicopter parenting, closely overseeing their children’s activities. Millennials have tended to adopt more flexible and empathetic approaches, incorporating technology into play but also worrying about its effects. Early Gen Z parents are experimenting with gentle parenting, placing high value on understanding their child’s emotions and encouraging self-expression.

For modern families, especially where both parents work full time, time and energy are limited. Screens are tempting pacifiers. Yet even in busy households, small adjustments can restore play to its rightful place. Shared routines, like family dinners without devices, short bursts of outdoor time, or simply sitting on the floor to build with blocks, can have lasting impact. Research shows that when parents join in their child’s play, they strengthen bonds, encourage curiosity, and model social skills.