Good Old-Fashioned Play
Are Kids Less Creative Than They Used to Be? Why Old-Fashioned Play Still Matters
In an article by science writer Rachael Rettner, concerns are raised that today’s children may be growing up more narrow-minded and less creative than previous generations. While that claim may sound alarming at first, it opens the door to an important conversation about how modern childhood has changed and what kids may be missing as a result.
The good news? The potential solution isn’t complicated, expensive, or high-tech. In many cases, it’s something simple and familiar: good, old-fashioned play.
What’s Changed for Kids?
Children today grow up in a world that is highly structured and heavily influenced by screens. Many kids spend more time on devices than engaging in free play. Their schedules are often packed with organized activities, academic pressure, and adult-directed tasks.
While technology and structure have benefits, they can also limit opportunities for:
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Imagination
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Problem-solving
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Independent thinking
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Open-ended exploration
When entertainment is always provided and rules are already defined, kids have fewer chances to invent, create, and think beyond the box.
Why Creativity Matters
Creativity isn’t just about art or pretend play. It’s a foundational skill that supports:
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Flexible thinking
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Emotional expression
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Innovation
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Resilience
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Social problem-solving
Creative children are often better able to adapt, manage frustration, and come up with novel solutions when things don’t go as planned. These are skills that matter well beyond childhood.
The Power of Old-Fashioned Play
Old-fashioned play—unstructured, imaginative, and child-led—creates space for creativity to thrive. This kind of play doesn’t come with instructions, points, or a right answer. Instead, it asks children to decide:
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What happens next
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Who they want to be
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How to solve problems
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How to negotiate roles and rules
Examples include:
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Pretend play
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Building with blocks or household items
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Outdoor play
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Drawing, crafting, or storytelling
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Games made up on the spot
When kids are left to their own ideas, their brains stretch in ways that structured activities simply can’t replicate.
Narrow-Minded or Under-Practiced?
Rather than labeling kids as less creative, it may be more accurate to say they have fewer opportunities to practice creativity. Creativity is a skill and like any skill, it develops through use.
When children are constantly entertained or directed, they don’t get the chance to experience boredom. Yet boredom is often the spark that leads to imagination. When there’s nothing to do, kids are forced to create something to do.
How Parents Can Encourage Creative Play
You don’t need to overhaul your household or eliminate technology entirely. Small changes can make a big difference:
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Schedule regular screen-free time
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Allow unstructured play without adult direction
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Provide simple, open-ended materials
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Resist the urge to fix boredom immediately
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Let kids lead, even if play looks messy or unproductive
The goal isn’t perfection it’s space.
A Return to Balance
Modern childhood doesn’t need to reject technology or structure, but it does benefit from balance. By reintroducing old-fashioned play, we give kids the freedom to explore, imagine, and think creatively.
As Rettner’s article suggests, the cure for narrowing minds may already be within reach. Sometimes, the best way forward is to step back—and let kids play.
If you have concerns about your child’s creativity, attention, or play skills, support is available. Plum Tree Psychology works with families to help children thrive emotionally, socially, and developmentally.
