Guides for parenting during the COVID-19 pandemic are full of advice about how to help children navigate the transition to virtual classes, how to keep children busy and avoid boredom, and why schedules and routines are important during this stressful time. What might be overlooked? Unstructured play.

That’s a mistake, say psychologists. A wealth of research shows that unstructured play — play that isn’t organized or directed by adults or older peers and that generally doesn’t have a defined purpose or outcome — is a fundamental necessity for children to thrive physically, emotionally, mentally and socially.

Active play like backyard swinging and games of tag helps build healthy bodies, increase energy and reduce tension and anxiety. Risky, challenging play like manhunts or jumping from manageable heights helps children learn to make decisions, calibrate risks and manage emotions. Interactive play with siblings, parents or other household members teaches empathy, reciprocity, sharing, problem-solving, perspective-taking, cooperation and more as well as fostering feelings of connection and acceptance. And creative play helps children make sense of life around them as they create art or music, build forts, tell stories and try on different identities.

And play — for all members of the family — is especially important during the pandemic. “We’re all under stress at this time, and play is an important catalyst to relieve stress,” says educational psychologist Lauren McNamara, PhD, founder and director of Recess Project Canada, a research project housed at Toronto’s Ryerson University that promotes active and inclusive recess environments for children in Canada and beyond. “Engaging in unstructured play with the kids can be an important time for families to stay connected and feel emotionally secure together.”