Let's Make This the Christmas of Play

What if one of the best Christmas presents is a pair of wellies?

I absolutely love Christmas. Choosing presents, watching children's faces light up, all the excitement. And don't get me wrong, I'll definitely be buying plenty of toys this year!

But I've been wondering, what happens when the wrapping paper is cleared away? Which toys do our children keep coming back to?

As a parent and early years educator, I'm fascinated by how differently children play. Some love building, others love making up stories, collecting things, movement, sounds or sensory experiences. And those interests can change almost overnight!

I think every child's personality and passions come through in their play, and that's something worth celebrating.

Then there are the toys with flashing lights, buttons and sounds. They can be brilliant fun. But an interesting American study published in JAMA Pediatrics found fewer parent-child conversational turns when 26 families with babies played with electronic toys compared with traditional toys or books.

It's a small study, and it certainly doesn't mean electronic toys are bad. But it made me think about how much opportunity different toys give children to lead the play themselves.

I wonder about this when I see familiar toys in charity shops, too. Were they loved for years or did the novelty wear off? We can't really know. And not everything needs to be kept forever to have been worthwhile.

Something else caught my attention this week.

Researchers from the Universities of Exeter and British Columbia reviewed 74 studies and found promising links between adventurous outdoor play and children's wellbeing and development. And Natural England's 2025 survey found that 93% of surveyed children aged 8–15 agreed that being in nature makes them very happy.

Which brings me to the wellies.

Maybe one of the best presents we could give a child is simply a fantastic pair of wellies and the opportunity to jump in muddy puddles.

Or a big roll of paper for the child who loves creating. Building blocks for the little inventor. A football for someone who wants to be outside. Or something completely different that speaks to their own interests.

And perhaps we could give ourselves a little more time to play alongside them, too.

After all, I think there's a bit of an inner child in every one of us. Sometimes we just need an excuse to let them out!

I'm not suggesting we buy fewer toys or that there's one perfect way to play. I just love the idea of choosing things that invite children to explore what they enjoy, then giving them the freedom and time to do exactly that.

So this Christmas, alongside all the presents, traditions and excitement, let's make a little more room for playing.

Because play doesn't belong to one day, one celebration or even just childhood.

Christmas is one day. Play is for life.

I'd love to know, what's been the most unexpectedly loved toy or gift in your home?