Meaning & use
interactive play
Last updated
Meanings
noununcountable
Play in which a child or player actively responds to and influences what happens, often with others or with a device.
Grammar: Uncountable; do not use 'an' or a plural. Say 'interactive play', not 'an interactive play' when talking about the activity.
Patterns
- interactive play with someone
- through interactive play
- interactive play between people
The preschool encourages interactive play, so children build towers together rather than watching.
Through interactive play, toddlers learn to take turns and share toys.
The app is designed for interactive play, responding to every tap and voice command.
nouncountable or uncountablespecialist
A type of theatrical performance in which the audience takes part and can change what happens.
Grammar: Can be countable when referring to a specific performance: 'an interactive play'. As a genre or activity, it is uncountable.
Patterns
- an interactive play
- interactive play for children
The theater company staged an interactive play where the audience voted on the ending.
Interactive play is becoming popular in children's theater because it keeps young audiences engaged.
Common combinations
- encourage interactive play
- Teachers encourage interactive play to help students develop social skills.
- interactive play area
- The museum has an interactive play area where kids can touch and explore.
- through interactive play
- Young children learn language through interactive play with adults.
- interactive play session
- The library runs a weekly interactive play session for babies and parents.
Synonyms and how they differ
- hands-on play
- Emphasizes physical doing and touching, while 'interactive play' emphasizes responding and exchanging.
- collaborative play
- Focuses on working together with others; 'interactive play' can also be with a device, not just people.
Word family
- interact verb
- To communicate with or react to someone or something.
- interaction noun
- The act of talking to or reacting with others.
- interactively adverb
- In a way that involves responding and exchanging.
Commonly confused: interactive play or interactive display?
interactive play vs interactive display
An 'interactive display' is a screen or exhibit that responds to touch; 'interactive play' is the activity itself, not the equipment.
Practice
The kindergarten teacher believes that children learn best through ______.
Choose one answer.
The phrase 'through interactive play' uses the uncountable form to describe the activity in general. 'An interactive play' would mean one specific theatrical performance, which does not fit the context of learning through activity.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “interactive play”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.