Objective: This purpose of this study was to analyze articles and research trends in children s free-choice activities in major domestic journals published from 1998 to 2017. Methods: Registered research papers in academic journals from 1998 to 2017 for the National Research Foundation of Korea were analyzed in terms of trends in their annual submission numbers, research subject, research type, research area. and research theme. Results: The quantity of the studies has more than doubled since 2010 but has decreased in recent years. Studies about free-choice activities for young children held the majority of research subjects while physical subjects such as literature, class, and education plans were in the minority. Furthermore, qualitative research, fusion qualitative, and survey were the most common research types while literature review studies were less common. Most research themes were studies about contemplation, actual conditions and perception, factor analysis, and programs of free-choice activities for young children. Conclusion/Implications: Considering the results of this study, further studies on free-choice activities for young children must be conducted.