Tonight with your 5 to 8 year old
The prompt
“If all you had was a ball and our yard, what brand-new game would you invent?”
What to listen for
A game with clear rules and roles shows a kid who likes structure even inside free play, a sign they feel most comfortable when things are a little organized.
A loose, changing, "make it up as we go" game shows a kid who thrives on spontaneity and doesn't need everything mapped out, that's just as healthy, only different.
If they get stuck, ask what their favorite part of any ball game is (throwing, chasing, hiding) and build outward from that one detail.
What this tells you
How they build a game from nothing shows whether they currently feel more comforted by structure or freedom.