Free Play vs Screen Time: Does it even matter?

Parents ask me about screens all the time. Should they remove them completely? Are tablets and video games ruining childhood? The conversation around screens has become increasingly intense, with many parents feeling pressure to eliminate them entirely. As a neuroscientist who studies children’s emotional development, I’m always curious about what the research actually says. A recent review (Cimino et al. 2025) of studies examining how children play today gave me a lot to think about, especially because the results are more nuanced than the “screens are bad” message we often hear.

The review looked at 35 studies published between 2020 and 2025 examining how children aged roughly 8 to 10 are playing and how those play patterns may affect development. Researchers wanted to understand two important trends: the decline of unstructured free play and the rise of digital play through screens. This age group is particularly interesting because children are gaining independence, forming habits that can last into adolescence, and becoming increasingly drawn into the digital world.

One of the clearest findings from the review is that children today are spending less time in child-led, open-ended playand more time engaging with screens. But what matters most is not simply the presence of screens. What matters is the type of play experience children are having.

To understand this better, researchers examined unstructured free-play and digital play.

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Unstructured Free Play

Unstructured play refers to activities that children initiate themselves, without strict rules or adult direction. Historically, this type of play has been a central part of childhood development because it allows children to experiment, negotiate, imagine, and regulate their emotions in real time.

Examples of free play include:

Pretend or imaginative play
Playing with toys (blocks, dolls, action figures)
Outdoor play
Inventing games with peers
Building or creating things freely

During these moments, children are not simply passing time. They are practicing important life skills. When children build something, invent a story, or negotiate the rules of a game with peers, they are learning how to manage frustration, solve problems, and understand other people’s perspectives. In other words, free play builds emotional skills in children.

Researchers in the review found that free play was consistently associated with positive developmental outcomes such as creativity, imagination, emotional regulation, and social problem-solving. These experiences help children develop the ability to manage challenges and adapt to new situations. In many ways, free play builds emotional skills in children that support resilience later in life.

Digital Play

The second type of play examined in the review was digital play, which includes activities involving electronic devices and screens.

Examples include:

Video games
Tablet or smartphone apps
Online interactive environments
Digital storytelling or creative apps

Many children now spend significant time engaging in these digital experiences. In fact, surveys suggest that children around age nine or ten can spend close to four hours per day on recreational screen use. Not surprisingly, this increase in screen time often coincides with a decrease in unstructured play.

What the Researchers Found

After reviewing 35 studies published between 2020 and 2025, the researchers identified several consistent patterns in how children’s play environments are changing and what that might mean for development.

First, the studies showed a clear decline in unstructured free play in children’s daily lives. Many children today spend significantly more time in structured activities or digital environments than previous generations. This shift matters because decades of developmental research suggest that free play builds emotional skills in children, helping them practice creativity, self-regulation, and social problem-solving.

Second, the review found that higher levels of digital play and screen time were often associated with poorer sleep, lower physical activity, and some social-emotional challenges. Researchers emphasized that these findings were correlational, meaning screens are not necessarily causing these issues, but they may be replacing activities that support healthy development.

Third, the researchers noted that free play was consistently linked with positive developmental outcomes, including creativity, imagination, emotional regulation, and stronger social interactions with peers. When children have opportunities to invent games, negotiate rules, and experiment with ideas, they practice the kinds of real-life skills that help them adapt to challenges later on.

Finally, the review highlighted an important nuance: not all digital play is the same. Some digital environments can encourage creativity and exploration, while others are more passive. The researchers suggest that the developmental impact of screens likely depends on how children engage with them and what experiences they may be replacing.

Takeaway from this study

Taken together, these findings reinforce something developmental scientists have long understood: free play builds emotional skills in children, but children today may have fewer opportunities to experience it.

Digital play itself is not inherently harmful. What matters is how children engage with the technology.

Some digital experiences are passive, where children simply consume content. Others are far more creative and interactive, allowing children to build, explore, and collaborate. When digital environments encourage creativity and imagination, they may support some of the same developmental processes found in traditional play. In fact, free play builds emotional skills in children because it allows them to experiment and solve problems, and certain digital environments can replicate parts of that experience.

This is why I tend to take a more balanced approach when I talk to parents about screens. Rather than focusing only on eliminating screen time, I think it is more helpful to ask what type of experience a child is having.

One example I often share with parents is the app Pok Pok. I love it because it was designed to be open-ended rather than reward-based. Children can explore different environments, create, and experiment without levels or points. It feels much closer to a digital toy box than a typical game. When a digital tool encourages curiosity and creativity, it can complement the kinds of experiences where free play builds emotional skills in children.

Of course, digital play should not replace traditional play entirely. Children still need opportunities to invent their own games, negotiate with peers, explore outdoors, and work through frustration in real-life situations. Those experiences are essential because free play builds emotional skills in children through real social interactions and physical exploration.

How Parents Can Apply This Research at Home

or parents trying to apply this research at home, the goal is not perfection but balance or making sure children still have regular opportunities for the kind of play experiences that support development.

Here are a few ways to think about play in everyday life.

Protect time for unstructured play.
Children benefit from daily moments where they can explore, invent, and create without adult direction. This might look like building with blocks, drawing, creating imaginary stories, or playing outside. When play is child-led rather than structured by adults, children practice decision-making, problem-solving, and emotional regulation. These are the moments where free play builds emotional skills in children, because kids are navigating challenges on their own rather than following instructions. (Blog post: What if parenting was more about feeling and less about doing)

Pay attention to the type of digital experiences your child is having.
Not all screen time is the same. Some digital experiences are passive, where children simply watch or scroll. Others are interactive and creative, allowing children to experiment, build, and explore. If screens are part of your child’s life, look for apps or games that encourage creativity and curiosity rather than constant rewards or fast stimulation. When digital tools allow children to create and explore, they can support some of the same developmental processes where free play builds emotional skills in children.

Encourage toys and activities that invite imagination.
Open-ended toys are powerful because they allow children to decide how they want to use them. Materials like blocks, art supplies, figurines, building sets, and dress-up clothes allow children to invent stories, solve problems, and experiment with different roles. Unlike toys that have a single purpose, these materials encourage children to think creatively and explore different possibilities. These kinds of experiences matter because free play builds emotional skills in children through imagination and experimentation.

Allow moments of boredom.
Many parents feel pressure to constantly entertain their children, but boredom can actually be an important starting point for creativity. When children have a moment where nothing is planned, their brains begin searching for something to do. That often leads them to create their own games, stories, or projects. Some of the most creative play begins with a child saying, “I’m bored,” and then figuring out what comes next. Those moments matter because free play builds emotional skills in children as they learn how to initiate and sustain their own activities.

At the end of the day, the question may not be whether screens exist in childhood. Technology is now part of our environment, and completely removing it is neither realistic nor necessary for most families.

A more helpful question might be this: are our children still getting enough opportunities to play freely?

When we protect time for unstructured play, we are giving children something incredibly valuable. We are giving them the space where free play builds emotional skills in children, helping them develop creativity, resilience, and the ability to navigate relationships and challenges throughout their lives.