Weapons & destructive play

Embracing Gun Play at Forest School: nurturing meaningful play to better understand ourselves and the world around us!

"In recent years, the concept of allowing children to engage in “gun play” has sparked a significant amount of debate among parents, educators, and child development experts. In traditional school settings, the mere mention of toy guns can often evoke concerns about violence and aggression. However, when it comes to Forest School, a unique outdoor learning environment, the perspective on gun play takes a different turn." Danny English, February 2024.

Why weapon play is important in Forest School

"While some may view weapon play as controversial, when guided correctly, it becomes a valuable tool for learning and development in a safe, structured, and respectful way." Embers Outdoor Learning, February 2025.

The Truth About Weapons Play: It's Not About Violence - It's About Imagination

"... research and child development experts suggest that weapons play, when guided appropriately, is not a precursor to violence. Instead, it is an imaginative outlet that fosters creativity, problem-solving, and emotional resilience." What the Research Says, Why Weapons Play Matters & how parents can support it. Wildlings Forest School (Aus).

Why your kids need weapon play

"It often happens at Wildlings that the kids get completely engrossed in weapons play, brandishing swords, arrows and axes, and having an amazing time! But the adults can often look a little uncomfortable ... At what point do we step in and tell them not to fight? Or the bigger question, does encouraging weapons play send the message that violence is OK?" Wildlings Forest School (Aus).

Making Weapons and Group Agreements

"Setting group agreements on safety normally starts with me trying the first made bow ... Before I hand it over I say, “This comes with responsibility. What do you think the rules are?” I then go with every safety rule than seems logical and we agree those..." Kindling Play & Training, 2011.

Gun Play In Early Years?

"I have spent years contemplating and observing children's play, particularly regarding the often contentious issue of gun or weapon play. I want to share why I believe this type of play is not only normal but also vital for the learning and development of young children." The Curiosity Approach®, March 2025.

Weapon Play in the Early Years

An Article Exploring the Research Behind Weapon Play in Early Year, including - Why are children drawn to weapon play? Does it encourage aggression? Weapon play as a tool for processing trauma & how to manage weapon play in your setting. Plus booklist and references. Dr. Alistair Bryce-Clegg, The Playlist, February 2025.

I Hope That's Not A Gun! Exploring Superhero and Weapon Play

"Today, I firmly believe that superhero and weapon play has a valuable place in Early Years settings, provided it is thoughtfully understood and well-managed. But, as with all things in Early Years, this requires careful consideration and a nuanced approach." Understanding the benefits and addressing concerns and misconceptions. Dr. Alistair Bryce-Clegg, The Playlist, January 2025.

Gun Play, Weapons, and Superhero Play

The value of superhero and gun play. Why do children do this? How should we respond to it? How can we support children’s learning even if such play goes against our personal beliefs? MyECE Early Childhood Education (NZ).

Gun Play and Kids: Dangerous or Harmless?

"The following article provides parents and educators with some key information to help them differentiate when gun play is harmless, and when it is already dangerous for the child’s well-being ... Although some child psychologists are of the view that gun play is not dangerous, as a parent and an early childhood teacher, I have my concerns in relation to toy weapons and gun games." Well-considered opinion piece from an educator who does not support gun play. Teaching Brave (Aus), March 2022.

Bang, bang! Gun play and why children need it

Indepth article. "When practitioners accept weapon-related play as a starting point for children’s learning they ... enable children to develop the most powerful weaponry of all: the power of communication, the ability to tolerate References and further reading others, to negotiate, listen and empathise, to work and function with others, to think things through and consider the effect of possible actions." Diane Rich in Early Education, Summer 2003.

Book: Rethinking Weapon Play in Early Childhood: How to Encourage Imagination, Kindness, and Consent in Your Classroom

This thought-provoking read invites you to reconsider your automatic "no" when it comes to young children’s weapon play. It offers new perspectives on how weapon play and other risky or controversial play can provide opportunities for healing discussions—including around boundaries, kindness, and consent—and create positive learning experiences for children and teachers alike. Samuel Broaden & Kisa Marx, June 2024.

Boys, weapon toys, war play and meaning-making: prohibiting play in early childhood education settings?

"When speaking of war play and war toys combined with children’s play, many people automatically relate these with boys’ play ... This article aims to summarise research on this topic." Heikkilä in Early Child Development and Care, June 2021

Reflections on the zero to low tolerance towards pretend gun play in early childhood settings

Fully referenced literature review. "This article will review studies of the last seven years that reflected on the zero to low tolerance towards pretend gun play in early childhood settings, so as to inform future empirical studies on the recommended pedagogical practices to guide children’s pretend gun play."(NZ), May 2018.

Learning to blast a way into crime, or just good clean fun? Examining aggressive play with toy weapons and its relation with crime

Research finding that "Involvement in imaginative play with toy gun use in early childhood is unlikely to be useful as a risk marker for later criminal behaviour. Play fighting and war toy games may even be considered necessary components within the frame of normal development."Smith, Ferguson, Beaver in Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health: Volume 28, Issue 4, January 2018.

Destructive Play in EYFS: Embrace the Power of “Unbuilding”

"By moving beyond the initial negative perception and recognising the inherent learning opportunities, educators can foster environments that nurture children’s natural curiosity rather than stifle it." Indepth examination of destructive play in the Early Years, including developmental benefits and practical strategies for the classroom. InclusiveTeach.com, September 2025.

“Destructive” Play

A personal reflection on how one parent supports their child in their need for destructive play. The Occuplaytional Therapist, January 2023.

How to deal with construction and destruction play

Simple explanations of these kinds of play, their benefits & tips for dealing with it. Playful Childhoods from Play Wales.

Play theory: understanding 'play types' and how they relate to Forest School...

"I have found Bob Hughes' theory of 'Play Types' very useful in gaining a better understanding of how and why kids play ... understanding these play types can be really helpful when planning, observing, or participating in children's play ... I made some resources to help me recall the different play types and how they can be supported at Forest School." Forest Schooled, February 2017.