A major new systematic review provides strong evidence that free play is consistently associated with positive mental wellbeing outcomes for school-aged children and young people — reinforcing the value of playwork-led and staffed play provision such as adventure playgrounds.

The mixed-methods review synthesised findings from 24 studies involving approximately 13,755 participants aged 5–18. Across 41 measured outcomes relating to mental wellbeing, 36 showed positive effects, five showed no or unclear effects, and none reported negative impacts.  The authors conclude that free play is associated with positive impacts across key dimensions of mental wellbeing, including wellbeing, resilience and quality of life.

A key finding for the playwork sector is that positive outcomes were observed in both child-initiated and adult-initiated free play. The review found no evidence that adult initiation reduces the benefits of free play, supporting the role of trained adults in facilitating play without directing it.  For staffed play settings, including adventure playgrounds, the review provides further support for environments that offer children time, space and permission to engage in self-directed play with appropriate adult facilitation.

The purpose of the current review is to provide an evidence base furthering understanding of the playwork approach, supporting the incorporation of free play across the intervention spectrum throughout childhood and beyond.

Although the evidence base is still developing and further research is needed,  the authors conclude that free play shows clear potential as a strategy to support mental wellbeing in children and young people, and that further research into playwork is warranted.

The full research findings are published in the September 2026 edition of the journal of Mental Health and Prevention.