Why kids need to take more risks

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TED-Ed |

TED-Ed

• April 2026

The best play environments offer freedom and novelty that kids can explore as much or as little as they like. But traditional playgrounds don’t offer much flexibility— swings, slides, and climbing frames are hardly novel structures. So, how do we create better play spaces? Explore the cognitive benefits of risky play and how we can design playgrounds that promote fun, agency, and development. [Directed by AIM Creative Studios, narrated by Jack Cutmore-Scott, music by André Aires].