Gun and Superhero Play Policy

We support all children’s interests to further develop their play, learning and development, including the use of gun and superhero play, in line with the EYFS requirements and our Quality provision policy, Early learning opportunities statement and Promoting positive behaviour policy.

We recognise that children learn most effectively when they are engaged, motivated and able to follow their own interests. Practitioners value children’s ideas and use these interests as opportunities to extend learning, promote wellbeing and support all areas of development.

The EYFS recognises play as essential for children’s learning, development and emotional wellbeing. “Play is essential for children’s development, building their confidence as they learn to explore, relate to others, set their own goals and solve problems” (EYFS Statutory Framework 2025).

We acknowledge that imaginative and role play, including superhero and weapon play, can help children to explore feelings, experiences, power, safety and fairness in an age-appropriate way.

This type of play can provide valuable opportunities for children to develop creativity, resilience, negotiation skills, emotional literacy, self-regulation and problem-solving skills through meaningful play experiences.

Children will often take part in gun and superhero to make sense of the world around them. They may develop this interest from:
• Watching their favourite movie or TV characters involved in physical battles with weapons
• Witnessing an older sibling or parent playing an online game with weapons
• The child’s parent working with guns as part of their professional job role
• First-hand experience of witnessing or involvement in traumatic experiences.

We recognise that children’s play can reflect both positive and difficult experiences. Staff will observe play carefully and respond sensitively, particularly where play may indicate distress, anxiety, trauma or safeguarding concerns.

Practitioners use observations, professional judgement and knowledge of individual children to understand the meaning behind children’s play and respond appropriately.

The benefits of supporting gun and superhero play are:
• Supporting children to follow their interests
• Developing imagination
• Resolving conflicts
• Building self-esteem
• Language development
• Supporting emotional development by making sense of their experiences
• Developing physical skills
• Developing confidence, resilience and independence
• Supporting turn-taking, cooperation and teamwork
• Encouraging critical thinking, storytelling and creative expression

This approach supports the EYFS prime areas of Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Communication and Language, Physical Development.

It also supports the Characteristics of Effective Learning by encouraging children to play and explore, actively learn and think critically.

We believe all children should be free to follow their play in a safe environment with adults who can positively support their play.

Children’s views, feelings and choices will be respected throughout their play experiences, ensuring all children feel safe, valued and included.

Gun and superhero play is not automatically discouraged or banned; however, it is carefully supported, supervised and managed to ensure the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of all children.

“Providers must take all necessary steps to keep children safe and well” (EYFS Statutory Framework 2025).

We implement the following procedures to ensure that this type of play is appropriately supported:
• Ensure staff give the same positive praise for children engaged in gun and superhero play as they do for children engaged in other activities, while reinforcing positive behaviours such as cooperation, kindness and respect
• Engage with children and agree rules for gun and superhero play so everybody can play safely, including rules such as no physical contact, no aiming at faces, and stopping play immediately if someone is upset
• Support children to recognise and respect the wishes of others who may not wish to participate in this type of play
• Allocate an agreed zone for this type of play so children who do not want to get involved can play undisturbed, supporting children’s right to choose and feel safe
• Use superhero play to tell stories, encouraging narrative skills, empathy and problem-solving
• Look at real life heroes who help the children. Talk about what makes somebody a hero, promoting positive role models and British values such as kindness, responsibility and helping others.
• Create our own display of heroes in the children’s lives, including family members and local community helpers
• Celebrate a diverse range of heroes from different cultures, backgrounds and communities to promote inclusion and broaden children’s understanding of the world
• Include action figures and capes (squares of material) in our continuous provision. Ask parents for donations of unwanted superhero costumes, ensuring all resources are safe, non-realistic and appropriate for the age group
• We do not allow realistic replica weapons or toys that closely resemble real firearms, in line with safeguarding and health and safety guidance
• Talk about conflict resolution (age and stage appropriate) and different solutions for solving conflicts, helping children learn non-violent ways to manage disagreements
• Support children to develop emotional vocabulary and express their feelings appropriately through discussion and play
• Be sensitive to the needs of children and families who may have experienced trauma, modifying or limiting this type of play where necessary, seeking the support of external professionals if required.

Staff will closely supervise this play at all times and intervene promptly if play becomes unsafe, aggressive, exclusionary or distressing to any child. “Providers are responsible for managing children’s behaviour in an appropriate way” (EYFS Statutory Framework 2025).

Staff will model positive behaviour, respectful relationships and peaceful conflict resolution throughout children’s play experiences.

Where play raises safeguarding concerns, including repeated violent themes, extreme distress or re-enactment of traumatic events, staff will follow the nursery’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and record concerns appropriately.

Partnership with parents

We work in partnership with parents and carers and will discuss this policy openly. Parents will be informed if their child regularly engages in gun or superhero play, particularly where it links to emotional wellbeing or behaviour.

Parental views will be respected, while ensuring that decisions always reflect the best interests of the child and support their emotional wellbeing and development.

We will work collaboratively with parents to promote a consistent approach where children require additional support in relation to behaviour, emotional regulation or understanding of play themes.

Leaders and practitioners will regularly reflect upon the effectiveness of this approach to ensure children’s interests continue to be supported safely, inclusively and in line with the nursery’s curriculum intent and safeguarding responsibilities.