We all want strong, independent kiddos who grow up ready to face all the hardships life can throw at them. But how do we, as parents, give them the opportunity to practice decision making skills and weigh risks versus benefits?
Enter, Safe Risky Play! Safe Risky Play refers to activities that are thrilling for the child and present some element of decision making on the child’s part but those decisions are taking place in an environment where most dangers have been mitigated. Safe Risky Play has been shown to develop self confidence, risk-assessment skills, and gives the child an opportunity to problem solve a situation. Play Couches are an excellent resource for Safe Risky Play! The child still gets to decide “how fast, how high” and explore what happens when they jump, tumble and fall but without the hard surfaces that can cause more serious injuries.
Our Favorite Play Couch build ideas for Safe Risky Play
Note: If you are building on hardwood floor or tile, we recommend putting mats on the floor in case of big falls.
One Play Couch Teeter Totter
Kiddos will love tumbling and flipping over this teeter-totter style build! Encourage them to rebuild it themselves if it gets knocked down or slides down low for even more cognitive benefit.
Build Tip: Give enough space between the Play Couch and wall so the child has plenty of room to roll or flip after teetering their way to the totter.
Two Play Couches: Traversing
Awaken their inner mountain climber with this rock wall like build. By adding an element of height, it encourages decision making, risk analysis, and allows them to practice balancing.
Build Tip: Place against a wall, scale the angled base like a boulder and shift horizontally back and forth to increase or decrease difficulty. We recommend adding a gym mat or similar floor covering if building on hardwood or tile floors. Here's an option from our sister brand, Z Athletic:
Three + Couches
Build tip: Climb to the top. Slide down, jump/crash onto the bottom bases, second "Leap Frog Gymnast" build is great for budding little gymnasts! Leap from surface to surface with the safety of the Play Couch Thin Base for any slips or tumbles.
Adding Shapes
- Use Pillars to roll down slide builds or get sensory input rolling across the floor
- Use Wedges to make extra long waterslides or running ramps
- Stack Shapes on top of folded bases against a corner and try to climb to the top - the inevitable avalanche is another level to climb across!
- Using overturned Rockers with a folded Base on top is great for balance and body awareness
Shop our shapes!
Crash Clouds
Paramount for easing YOUR worries and helping your child to feel secure and safe! Crash Clouds are great for heavy work, deep pressure, sensory seeking slams, jumps, crashing, and if nothing else, a safe place to land on after a hard days work of being WILD!
Returning soon! Get notified by signing up on the product page.
Tips when engaging in SAFE Risky Play
- Teach your child how to LAND safely! (Keep your neck tucked, bend knees, use arms to balance, stay relaxed)
- Ask your child questions during the process:
“How are you feeling about this jump?”
“Where will you place your feet/hands next?”
“What will happen if you fall or slip?”
- Find more builds to try out on @wildkidsplay Instagram