16 Different Types of Play For Kids (and How To Join In!)

From rough-and-tumble to fantasy adventures, did you know there are 16 unique styles of play to discover? Let’s dive in and play!

When we say there are different kinds of play, we’re not just talking about noisy or quiet (though each has its own charm!). Let’s go through them all, all 16 of them!

What are the 16 types of play?

1. Communication play

For babies, communication play might simply be facial expressions like smiles or blowing raspberries. Older kids can build on this by engaging in verbal games such as telling jokes or singing songs.

Whether they’re chatting or joking, kids practicing communication play are honing skills that will help them express themselves as they grow.

2. Socio-dramatic play

This one’s a classic: socio-dramatic play is when kids take on ‘grown-up’ roles, like playing house or pretending to be doctors.

Here, they flex their social and language skills, building important relationships and safely exploring different outcomes. Consider adding LEGO® DUPLO® sets like Caring for Animals at the Farm to enhance their pretend play!

3. Creative play

Creative play is the perfect example of how within one style of play you find different types of play in early childhood. From finger painting to building a LEGO DUPLO house, your mini-Picassos aren’t just making fridge-worthy art but also developing their concentration, attention span and fine motor skills. What’s not to like?

4. Object play

As the name suggests, object play is just about playing with objects – whether that’s LEGO DUPLO bricks or whipping up some imaginary pancakes using pots and pans from the cupboards. It teaches kids problem-solving skills, as well as sharpening their resilience when it comes to trial and error.

5. Deep play

Deep play is anything where your child’s play includes an element of risk or danger. Think riding a bike or climbing a tree.

It might sound scary, but encouraging different types of play in early childhood gives kids a wonderfully rich base to draw on. Not only will it help them learn new practical skills, but also how to deal with stress like a pro!

6. Dramatic play

Oscars at the ready! This one’s all about performance and encouraging your kids to work out roles, allocating characters and acting out scenes (to rapturous applause, of course).

Kids engaging in dramatic play are learning crucial cooperation and social skills as well as reinforcing their language and problem-solving expertise. Get ready to roll out the red carpet!

7. Rough-and-tumble play

Even babies can engage in rough-and-tumble play if guided gently. This style of playtime might start with gentle knee bounces and progress to play fighting as children get older.

Here they’re working on resilience as well as defining their own – and others’ – boundaries, so it’s vital that everyone has fun and feels safe! Make sure your child knows how to communicate if they’re no longer happy.

8. Exploratory play

Exploratory play is similar to sensory play, in that it involves children exploring their surroundings using their senses. Examples might include squashing playdough into shapes or digging in a sandpit. Basically… anything messy (sorry)!

Encouraging different types of playing will arm your child with a great skill set. Soon they’ll be expanding their vocabulary and exercising creative and fine motor skill muscles. Nice!

9. Fantasy play

Little ones conjuring up imaginary scenarios like playing schools or looking after dolls are officially fantasy play participants.

While they’re bossing you about as the sick patient or tea party participant, they’re developing their independence and working out the world around them. Add to that the benefit of creativity, language skills and social skills and you’ve got a lovely way to play. Try LEGO DUPLO sets like the 3in1 Magical Castle to make these fantastical adventures even better!

10. Recapitulative play

Yep, it’s a mouthful, and perhaps the most unusual. It means exploring ancestry through games that look at history, stories and rituals. These might include poems and songs, or even fire and mark making.

You’re looking to encourage their sense of identity here, allowing them to celebrate their history and lineage.

11. Imaginary play

Imaginary play often crosses over with fantasy play, except all the physics-based rules of the real world disappear! If your child wants a LEGO DUPLO giraffe to take flight on a Space Shuttle Adventure, then who’s stopping them?

Aside from sharpening their creativity, this kind of play also promotes physical development in a fun way as they act out their imagination.

12. Social play

As your child grows, their play patterns shift from parallel play – where they play side-by-side – to social play where they enjoy engaging others in their games.

Social play games – like hide and seek – teach sharing, cooperation and emotional intelligence. Awesome!

13. Locomotor play

Been working on your fitness? You can aid your little people’s strength and skill by moving in any direction, just for fun. You might want to help them climb a tree, chase them outside or roll them around in the covers come bedtime. Fun!

14. Mastery play

Anything you can physically control counts as mastery play. It might be using tools for making puddle pits, constructing a tower with LEGO DUPLO bricks, making dens, or even learning to master a scooter, fostering a confidence-boosting sense of achievement!

15. Role play

Role Play does exactly as the name says! Try prompting your kids with everyday scenarios like, ‘why don’t we pretend we’re going to the shop,’ and getting a bit more absurd like, ‘let’s pretend we’re dinosaurs trying to bake a cake!’ 

Role Play polishes social skills, nurtures empathy and creativity, plus kids love it!

16. Symbolic play

Children don’t let a little thing called ‘reality’ get in the way of play. Symbolic Play is when kids use an object to represent something else entirely – perhaps a cushion as a throne, or a LEGO DUPLO brick as a phone. You can use easy prompts like ‘what shall we pretend this stick is?’ when out and about or try coming up with your own creations.

No matter which play style your child is exploring, you’re in for a fun time. Remember – LEGO DUPLO sets are the perfect way to enhance their adventures, fueling creativity and making every playtime a new experience. Get stuck in and enjoy!

Looking to support all the types of play with LEGO DUPLO without breaking the bank? Check out LEGO Insiders – a loyalty program with exciting rewards and discounts that welcomes everyone to join the fun. Happy building!