Posted Feb. 1, 2023

At what age did you lose it, 8,9,10? Did you decide you were too old for playgrounds or was it peer pressure? Maybe it was the type of playground! Play is one of the best ways to learn. No rules, no pressure, just figure it out. And when you do, you have an AH-HA moment! You‘ll never forget that because you own it. You probably don‘t remember going down your first big slide. It was scary at the top of the ladder. You wanted to go back down, but there were other kids climbing up. No choice. WOW!... That was scary and fun. It was almost like flying.

Play and being playful creates joy. Even in a relationship, playfulness creates excitement and the unexpected. A playful spirit creates joy and smiles all along it‘s path. Instead of staring at the sidewalk or your phone as you walk, say “Hi” and smile. You just changed the mood of that person. Put some “genuine energy” into it. Try skipping or put some dance in your walk. People will watch and be thinking – I want what he has! They may even come over and turn into a real (physical) friend.

Back to the question of why you lost your play. It may have been because the playground was no longer challenging. You‘ve done it all. The swing was fun when dad showed you how to “pump it”. Then I tried jumping out. Next, it was standing up. Then it was 2 on the swing at the same time (facing each other). Finally I ran out of ideas. I had pushed the limits of that experience. I had even done “things” you weren‘t supposed to do. And every swing is just another swing. That‘s how it is with play. As soon as it is no longer a challenge, it‘s time to move on.

Unfortunately, nearly every playground is the same. Same swings, same climbing structure, different color, different arrangement, different landscape. Did they all come from the same catalog?

So, how are you going to get your “play” back? Will you race your daughter around the train track? Whose duck will get to the other side first? I just struck gold on the mining sluice! Look, there‘s even a pedal powered go-kart for adults.