Mari Payne, Deputy Managing Director and Senior Director Education and Programmes at Sesame Workshop International, South Africa (SWISA) says holidays look different for every family. "For some, they mean long trips to grandparents, but for others, they mean long days at home. Children play in the garden, on the street, or inside, while adults juggle work, chores and childcare."

"But all children share one thing during the holidays — time. Time to play and to move and most excitingly, time to imagine," Payne explains. She says this time could be well spent trying new things. "We know play is how children learn best. Through play, children grow their bodies and their minds, learning language and building confidence."

Payne says that the research clearly indicates that play supports the whole child. When children run, climb, draw, pretend, build, talk and solve problems, they are laying strong foundations for learning that last long after the early years. However, she highlights that often, play does not happen evenly.

"Without meaning to, adults often guide children into familiar patterns. One child spends most of the day outside — running, kicking a ball, climbing. Another spends more time inside — colouring, playing house, helping in the kitchen. None of this is wrong, but there is a problem when children experience only one kind of play. Each of these play experiences builds important strengths, and children benefit most when they also get opportunities to explore a wider mix of play," says Payne.

"Over time, this limits what children practise. Some children build strength, balance and confidence in movement. Others practise language, imagination and fine-motor skills. What children need most is balance. Children thrive when they are encouraged to try many kinds of play, not just the ones that feel familiar or comfortable," Payne adds.

Payne advises parents and caregivers to be aware of the types of play they encourage, because children are watching from a very young age. They notice who is encouraged to climb, who is asked to sit still, who is praised for being careful and who is praised for being brave. She says these small, everyday messages shape how children see themselves.

"Research shows that when children are given a wider range of play experiences, they become more confident learners. They think more flexibly and are more willing to try new things and with range, children often surprise us," says Payne.

Studies from South Africa and internationally show that children who experience a range of different forms of play are better supported across multiple areas of development, including language and communication, problem-solving and thinking, emotional regulation, cooperation and empathy and physical coordination and strength (Ogunyemi and Henning, 2021; Jensen et al., 2021; O’Keeffe and McNally, 2025; Cankaya et al., 2025).

There is growing concern that some children enter later grades with gaps in certain skills. Not because they lack ability, but because they have not had enough chances to practise those skills through play.

This matters deeply in South Africa, where many children already face unequal access to space, safety and resources. Payne says, "This is when we remind moms, dads and caregivers that play does not need to be expensive to be powerful. What matters is opportunity, a little bit of time and balance."

With that in mind, Payne share some simple, varied holiday play ideas for South African families:

  • Mix Movement and Calm Play: Encourage children to run, dance, skip, climb, draw, puzzle and tell stories. Active and passive play grow the brain.
  • Use What you Already Have: Buckets, boxes, spoons, old clothes, cardboard, stones, water and sand. Everyday items invite creativity, building, pretending and problem-solving.
  • Share Spaces Differently: If one child usually plays outside and another stays indoors, switch it up sometimes, or encourage a game of "opposites". This new space can help children discover new strengths.
  • Play Together When You Can: Daily chores still need to be done, but they can be inclusive. Cooking, fixing and washing can build confidence and connection.
  • Follow Curiosity, Not Expectations: When a child shows interest in something new, encourage it. Confidence grows when children feel free to explore without being corrected or limited.

"Balanced play is not about making children like the same things. It is about keeping possibilities open. When children are allowed to play in different ways, they grow a stronger sense of who they are and what they can do. The best thing we can do this holiday is to allow children to try, explore and grow," concludes Payne.

For more information, visit www.sesameworkshop.org. You can also follow Sesame Workshop on Facebook, X, Instagram, or on TikTok.

*Image courtesy of contributor