When was the last time you saw kids running around, laughing, and playing just for fun? These moments are becoming rare as screens have taken over their free time. But here’s the thing, play isn’t just about fun. It helps kids feel calmer, happier, and more confident. In a time when anxiety among children is rising, could something as simple as daily play make all the difference?
Health bodies, such as the World Health Organisation note that children between 5 and 17 benefit greatly from at least an hour of movement each day, with studies linking play to stronger memory, better mood, and sharper thinking.
The picture flips when screens take over: teens who spend more than four hours online daily report anxiety and depression at noticeably higher levels, close to 27% in each case. And the earliest years matter even more, since almost 90% of brain development is already in place by age five.
Importance Of Play For Kids
Daily play can prevent kids from experiencing more anxiety. It is a pastime that is not only enjoyable but also offers a safe space for kids to explore their feelings, build self-esteem, and learn problem-solving skills.
“The kids release endorphins, known as feel-good hormones that relieve stress and help regulate mood, when they engage in physical activity. Through play, kids create friendships, learn to work with others, and find that they are no longer lonely with friends. Playing alone may bring on more anxiety,” explained Dr Rahul Chandhok, Senior Consultant and Head Psychiatry, Artemis Lite, New Friends Colony, New Delhi.
Now that we live in a world connected and consumed by digital technology, kids may spend more time in front of a screen instead of outside. Letting kids engage in their own play for even an hour helps them relax, recharge, and cope with their concerns. Allowing for free, unstructured play is an authentic way to foster emotional resilience and safeguard mental well-being.
Also Read: FOMO vs JOMO: Which Mindset Boosts Wellbeing in the Digital Age?
The Silent Therapy: How Fun Strengthens Children in Ways Medicine Can’t
Not every bruise needs a bandage, and not every worry needs a pill. Sometimes, what a child really needs is laughter echoing through the living room, or a silly game that makes the whole family collapse in giggles.
Also Read: Are You Confusing Your Social Anxiety For Shyness? Find Out Here
“Fun works like silent therapy. It lowers stress hormones, boosts creativity, and teaches resilience without a lecture. When kids play hide-and-seek or invent rules to a made-up game, they’re not just passing time; they’re building problem-solving skills, learning patience, and practising teamwork. Science calls it emotional regulation. Children just call it fun,” explained Dr Mansi Talwar, Mindful Leadership Coach, Communication Mentor, Founder of HappyMee.
Bottomline
The beauty is, fun doesn’t come with side effects. No prescription required, no expiry date attached. A few minutes of dancing in the kitchen or chasing bubbles outside can do more for a child’s mood and confidence than hours of over-scheduling or screen time.
Because the real power of fun lies in presence. It pulls children (and parents) out of overthinking and into the now. And in that ‘now,’ kids discover confidence, connection, and calm, without even realising it. Fun may not heal a broken bone, but it certainly strengthens the soul.