Have you ever noticed how children can completely disappear into their own world when they play? When they build towers with blocks, paint imaginative drawings, or create small stories with their toys, it's not just fun and games – it's learning in its purest form. But what actually happens when you let your child control the play entirely by themselves? How does it affect children's development when they have the freedom to explore, experiment, and think creatively without adults interfering?
We have looked closely at precisely this and will try to show you what it does for children to be allowed to control the play themselves.
- The image shows Rover's Expedition from the dinosaur universe
What is best for children's development?
Children learn and develop best when they are allowed to control the play without fixed frameworks set by adults. When children take the initiative to play, a natural learning environment arises where they experiment, explore, and develop social skills on their own terms.
Research shows that self-organized play gives children the opportunity to make their own decisions, resolve conflicts, and adapt to the community. When adults do not interfere, children gain a valuable space where they can test boundaries, develop creativity, and strengthen their independence. Instead of being guided through a fixed structure, they learn to navigate social relationships and find their own role in the play.
Ph.D. student Benedicte Bernstorff, who researches children's participation in self-organized play communities, puts it well here: ”The self-organized play is important and meaningful in itself because it is a place where children can put themselves and each other at stake and find out that something is not appropriate and then correct it - without being guided or instructed by an adult.”
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Unfortunately, adult-led activities often take up more space than free play, which limits children's opportunity to create and negotiate their own communities.
To give children the best development opportunities, it is therefore important to create time and space for uninterrupted play, where children themselves decide what should happen – and where they learn from their own experiences instead of following an educational plan.
- The image shows The Fields Harvested from the farm universe
Toys that help children's development
The question then is what should you buy for the children that they can manage all by themselves. It should be toys that you are comfortable with the children playing with on their own without you having to interfere with what they are doing. It should also be something they can work together on and use their skills to achieve a result.
Toys from Crateit
At Crateit, you will find toys that give children the freedom to play and learn on their own terms – completely without adult interference. Our wooden toy universes allow children to build, create, and explore exactly as they wish. Should the cars race off, or should the horses go on the roof? The choice is entirely theirs, and this very freedom enhances their imagination, creativity, and ability to think independently.
Furthermore, children can paint the toys in the colors they desire. This not only provides an opportunity to express their creativity but also to develop their understanding of colors, shapes, and how things can look – or perhaps how they don't need to look! When children are allowed to take control, play becomes not only more fun but also an important part of their development.
See a selection of some of the most popular products here!
Crateit Town | Wooden Toys | Vista Villa - 249,00 kr.
Welcome to Vista Villa – a stylish garage where children can play freely with their cars! With its elegant design and large windows, Vista Villa allows for creative play where children decide how their vehicles arrive, park, and drive on in their own little world.
The Farm Wooden Toys | The Fields Harvested - 199,00 kr.
Let your children experience farming on their own terms with Crateit Harvest Time from our Farmlife series. Here they can design the fields themselves, harvest the crops, and play freely in their own imaginative farm world.
Dinosaur Wooden Toy | Rover's Adventure - 299,00 kr.
Go on an adventure with the dog Rover and create your own play! Children can decide for themselves where the trip goes - should the tent be set up in the forest, or should the SUV drive towards new adventures? With Rover by their side, it's entirely up to them to explore, play, and come up with their own stories.
Conclusion
When children are allowed to control the play without any fixed rules or adult intervention, they develop important social, creative, and problem-solving skills. Which will undoubtedly benefit the children's development.
With toys from Crateit, children can explore, experiment, and create their own universes, where only imagination sets the limits. Free play not only provides fun and entertainment - it is a crucial part of children's development. Therefore, it is important to give them space and time to play on their own terms. We hope you have gained insight into how your children might play in the future.
