Associations between Children’s Risky Play and ECEC Outdoor Play Spaces and Materials 
"The possible benefits of risky play regarding children’s development have been in several researchers’ interest in the last few decades. Some of this research indicates that risky play may increase children’s physical activity [26], improve motor/physical competence [27,28], increase spatial and perceptual skills [29], and enhance their ability to assess and manage risk appropriately [30,31,32]. Children seem to have clear strategies for reducing the potential harm in exposing themselves to risk in play [33,34,35]. Brussoni et al. [26] found mainly positive outcomes in their systematic review on risky outdoor play and children’s health. On the other hand, being restricted from the experiences and learning that risky play provides might increase the chance of anxiety, both in childhood [36,37] and in adolescence and adulthood [38,39,40,41,42].” 

Risky-play at school. Facilitating risk perception and competence in young children 
"Overall, it is now well accepted that risky play is necessary for a child in order to develop risk-taking skills and learn how to cope with risky situations (Brussoni, Olsen, Pike, & Sleet, 2012). This way, a child can obtain risk competence. Significant elements of risky play in children are: attempting something never done before; feeling on the borderline of ‘out of control’ often because of height or speed and overcoming fear (Stephenson, 2003). Depriving children from age-adequate risk play will hinder normal child development (Alexander, Frohlich, & Fusco, 2012) and is being associated with the development of fear, discomfort and dislike of the environment (Sandseter & Kennair, 2011). 

When the risk is worth it: the inclusion of children with disabilities in free risky play. 
"Reasonable risk taking in play is a fundamental factor in gross motor, cognitive and emotional development (Sandseter, 2011). Adults’ concerns about children safety as well as social and environmental factors may severely limit children’s opportunities to engage in free risky play, compromising their overall health and wellbeing”

Risky Outdoor Play systematic review supplement 
"The systematic review revealed overall positive effects of risky outdoor play on a variety of health indicators and behaviours, most commonly physical activity, but also social health and behaviours, injuries, and aggression."

Risky Play and Children’s Safety: Balancing Priorities for Optimal Child Development 
"There is evidence that children learn risk management strategies for themselves and their peers as a result of risky play experiences. Observational studies of children at play found they exposed themselves to risk but displayed clear strategies for mitigating harm [68,76]. Australian children, for the most part, engaged in behaviours that were well within their current capabilities [8]. Children appeared aware of potential dangers and adjusted activities accordingly. Notably, children drew on their risk experiences not only to develop understanding of their own constitutions and skills, but also of playmates. These understandings facilitated support for each other’s risk engagement and safety [76]. Sandseter and Kennair [25] theorized that children’s engagement in risky play has an adaptive function in reducing fear of stimuli (e.g., heights) through repeatedly naturally and progressively exposing themselves to the stimuli. They argued that if children were not provided with sufficient risky play opportunities, they will not experience their ability to cope with fear-inducing situations. Furthermore, they will maintain their fear, which may translate into anxiety disorders."

What is the Relationship between Risky Outdoor Play and Health in Children? A Systematic Review 
"There was also an indication that risky play supportive environments promoted increased play time, social interactions, creativity and resilience [85,88]. These positive results reflect the importance supporting children’s risky outdoor play opportunities as a means of promoting children’s health and active lifestyles.”

How nature play spaces support positive child development.

“In order to provide meaningful nature play opportunities for children (and adults) living in urban environments, it is essential to design accessible nature play spaces that replicate nature, and its play experiences, as close as possible. Nature play spaces that incorporate natural elements, are minimally structured, and include a lot of loose parts, encourage more self-directed and child led play.”