This systematic review of the literature examined the relationship between risky outdoor play and health related outcomes in children, age three to thirteen years. Studies were included in the review if risky play behaviors were measured or if environments that afford risky play were observed or purposefully created. In addition to using an electronic search strategy, key content experts were also asked for recommendations about articles to include in the review. Studies identified in an initial search tended to cluster around disappear/get lost (i.e., independent mobility, unsupervised play) and rough and tumble play behaviors. Additional searches were then conducted to target these risky play behaviors specifically.
Twenty-one relevant articles (representing 18 studies) were identified and evaluated. Topics addressed included types of risky play, the effect of risky play on health indicators, and environments supporting risky play. Eight papers examined play where children can disappear/get lost. Seven of these papers reported increases in physical activity and social health. One study showed lower physical activity when children were supervised by an adult. No serious risky play-related injuries were reported during the year in which over 25,000 children were followed. Rough and tumble play did not show increased aggression and was associated with increased social competence for boys and popular children.
Risky play supportive environments generally led to an increase in physical activity and a decrease in sedentary behaviors. There was also an indication that environments supporting risky play promoted increased play time, social interactions, creativity and resilience. Other environmental factors influencing the health-promoting aspects of play included the presence of natural materials (trees, plants), materials that can be manipulated by children (wood, stones), and the freedom of children to choose their own activities.
The findings of this systematic literature review indicate that environments supporting risky play had numerous positive impacts on the health, behavior and development of children. These findings, along with the marked reduction in risky outdoor play opportunities in recent generations, call for the promotion of initiatives supporting children's risky outdoor play opportunities.
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