How to Bring More Play into Your Life

My name, Leela, is a Sanskrit word essentially meaning: creative play. My parents could not have picked a better name for me. I am and always have been a very playful being. In fact, I believe we are all creative and playful beings in our heart of hearts. A playful act does not need a purpose. When we play, we channel our true selves freely and let our spirits shine. It allows us to connect with ourselves, each other, and share laughter and lightheartedness with one another. Often times, we feel like playing is an act reserved for children and puppies. We negatively label adult play as immature or awkward. However, adults also thrive on play, silliness, and creative expression and we shouldn’t be wary of tapping into this side of ourselves more often.

To inspire and integrate more play into our day-to-day lives, I’ve listed some ideas of playful activities to engage in:

1. Playing board games

This is a simple way to bring out the silly, playful side of ourselves. When my family and I were on vacation in Lake Tahoe this past summer, we played a board game called Splendor. While we were exercising our brains and strategizing, we also had so many organic silly moments of joking and laughter surrounding the game. Some other (non-board) group games, such as Salad Bowl, Charades, and card games, are fun and inspire group interaction and expression of our lively and animated sides.

2. Group camping trips

I have found that play almost always occurs naturally during group camping trips. When we gather with friends in nature without computers, TV, or cell service, we get creative with entertainment. I’ve partaken in many activities from pine cone ‘hacky sack’ sessions to nature dance parties and rock hopping excursions.

3. At-Home Dance Parties (solo or group)

Blast the music at home, let loose, and have a dance party. I do this ALL OF THE TIME, especially when I am home alone. I turn up the tunes and start dancing around my living room or kitchen. It’s an amazing experience. We don’t need to wait for that occasional wedding to bust out our signature moves..we can do it anytime, anywhere. When you are alone, no one is judging your dance moves and bursting your bubble, so you can feel as cool as you want. It’s fun to have dance parties with friends as well. My friends and I always break out into song and dance the second we turn up the music that speaks to us.

4. Rough-housing with your friends or romantic partner

Yes, you heard right. I am encouraging mild, playful rough-housing. This is one of the first things a puppy learns to do, right? It is a very natural way to be playful. I’m not suggesting an aggressive barbarian-style battle or WWE Smackdown, but the lighter variation. Plus, It involves physical contact, which is a form of human connection many of us fancy.

5. Theme parties

Throughout the years, I’ve noticed that theme parties spark our creative sides and get us really excited (hello, Burning Man and college days!). It’s almost like we can exist as someone else and release our inhibitions for a brief period. Next time you throw a party, try to think of a theme that people could get stoked on. Era themes (70s, roller disco, 80s, roaring 20s), murder mystery, and historical are some good options.

6. Visit a park

There is so much play to be had at the park and this is probably the most common place for adults to engage in play. Hop on the swings, fly down the slide, play on the monkey bars, return to your childhood gymnastics days and get your cartwheel on, play frisbee with friends…the list goes on!

7. Water balloon or snowball fight

You might think you are too old for this one..but NEVER! Nothing beats a good ol’ water balloon fight. Something about it just screams ’childhood summer”! People might be hesitant at first to engage in your plan, but once you start launching the goods, nostalgia will kick in and they will dish it right back. Same goes for the classic winter snowball fight..especially those big group ones (I will never forget the mass snowball fight that occurred during the Reno Santa Pub Crawl of ’09)! It doesn’t need to be a planned event either. These can be spontaneous acts. I’m always randomly forming up fresh snowballs and chucking them at my boyfriend (or shoving them down his shirt). Just be ready for retaliation!

8. Casual organized team sports/games

Team sports are a great way to engage in play and connection with others. Soccer, basketball, capture the flag, beach volleyball, etc. are all great options. When I was in college, I organized a monthly capture the flag game with the students in the Physics department. It was a great way for us to take a break from our rigorous studies and get ourselves out exercising, bonding, and being silly.

9. Beach/water activities

Something about water always seems to bring out our playful side. Be it playing in the ocean waves, splashing around in a lake, chicken fights (remember those?), water ball toss, jumping off a cliff/dock, or floating down the river, visiting a body of water will be a hoot!

10. Hide-and-go-seek tag

This is another one that people think I am joking about whenever I suggest it. Just think back to when you were a child playing this game outside until dark. Remember the adrenaline rush you got from running out from your hiding place to reach ‘base’? Suggest a game with your friends and don’t let them tell you that you are too old for it!

11. Create an obstacle course

Everyone loves a good obstacle course. It’s a creative way to get a bunch of people together to challenge themselves and interact in a playful manner. You can set up the course in your backyard, a park, a field, a forest..just about any open space that’s up for grabs!

12. Piggyback rides

Something about a simple piggyback ride is so silly and lighthearted, especially if you are the one getting the ride :). It’s a fun way to be playful with your romantic partner as well.

What are some ways you like to include play in your life? Add below in the comments!