Why you need play more than ever (and how to reclaim it)
“Play is serious business. At stake for us are the ways we socialise and teach future generations of scientists, inventors, artists, explorers, and other individuals who will shape the world in which we live. It is safe to say that humans, as a species, have always had a concept of play. But only recently has play begun getting the serious attention it deserves as a source of discovery.”
— Arthur Molella
When we were kids, play was our default mode. In the back of the car during a long trip, in a forest during a family walk or even inside our closet, play was all around us. When we were bored, hanging out with friends, or craving a good laugh, we always returned to play. Back then, we never questioned it. Play mattered simply because that was what kids do.
But once adulthood kicks in, play stops even crossing our minds.
In a UK survey, 43% of adults reported becoming less playful as they got older, with the main reasons being increased responsibilities, lack of time, and productivity pressures. No wonder so many of us end up stressed, anxious, and on the verge of burnout.
The funny thing is, one of the simplest ways to recharge our batteries is the very thing we’ve forgotten how to do.
The world is your playground
When I was a child, my world was a playground. I’d swim through my mum’s wardrobe, wrapping myself and my best friend up in her skirts and big coats. Through stretchy fabrics and oversized shoes, we would transform into famous singers, explorers, or space travellers.
We had this magical ability to create something out of nothing. My weekend plans were to build forts out of umbrellas, climb trees as if they were Mount Everest, and capture documentaries with my dad’s camcorder, convinced we were creating something worth playing on national TV.
Life was simple. We didn’t have social media feeds to scroll through or iPads to watch telly on, just our minds and any props we could find around our kitchen.
Back then, nothing felt off-limits. We’d dream up the most ridiculous scenarios and throw ourselves into them, never worrying about making a fool of ourselves. Actually, being silly was the best part.
As Susan Cain says in her book Quiet, we spent our free time in whichever way we wanted, not the way we thought we were supposed to or were told by others.
There was a beautiful sense of freedom. We didn’t care about’ messing things up’. Mistakes didn’t exist, and getting things wrong wasn’t the end, it was actually the perfect excuse to come up with an even better story.
And it makes sense when you think about it. Play is one of our simplest forms of exploration, experimentation and self-expression. It’s how we make sense of the world. It gives us space to try new things without pressure and lets our ‘mistakes’ do the teaching. It’s a win-win.
“Play is our brain’s favourite way of learning.”
— Diane Ackerman
As Diane says, the act of playing awakens our curiosity and hunger for learning in unique ways. Play turns our attention on because it feels fun. We do it because we want to, not because we’re told to.
It’s also low stakes. Play is about experimenting with whatever we are curious about and adapting to whatever comes our way, rather than aiming at results. When we play, we bring our whole body into it, our senses, movement, and emotions, which makes the experience more vivid and memorable than most of our everyday routines.
Play is also powered by stories. Stories are sticky, and real-life examples are often the easiest way to understand tricky ideas. And because play is self-motivated, our intrinsic motivation becomes the fire starter for learning. When we have the freedom to choose how we play and what we explore, we’re far more likely to engage in learning.
In the end, play isn’t just one of learning’s oldest mothers, it’s also the place where we find our voice, build resilience, and grow self-confidence.
Play in Adulthood
As grown-ups, we tend to focus our attention and energy on activities that give us some sort of result. Therefore, when we do something enjoyable, voluntary and for its own sake, it certainly feels like a treat. And it doesn’t stop there. The benefits of play are many.
According to a 2022 review of “learning through play at school”, when play is “joyful, meaningful, socially interactive, active, iterative, ” it can help children develop cognitive, social, emotional, creative and physical skills.” Let’s dig in. How does this work?
Support well-being: A silly game, a quick doodle, or dancing in your kitchen can lift your mood, ease anxiety, and tell your nervous system, “hey, chill, it’s all good.”
Managing stress: Even when you play for a few minutes, your mind and body reset. Your shoulders feel lighter, the intrusive thoughts “shush”, and you can come back to work with a clearer mind.
Builds social connection: Whether we engage in improvised games, karaoke marathons or badly acted charades, play helps break the ice faster and better than small talk. It’s an easy way to connect with others without having to get too personal.
Experience life and find meaning: Play puts curiosity, wonder and surprises at the centre of your everyday. It turns your boring commute, lonely lunch break, or evening with friends into something more meaningful.
Promote creativity: Whatever you create, it doesn’t have to be “good”. The best ideas often come from messing things up, remixing them, and following weird ideas just because they feel exciting.
Despite our intuition and the many benefits of play, there is a big misconception around it. As we grow older, play can be perceived as an indulgence, unproductive or even a waste of time. Some of the internal dialogue we hear is “Act like an adult, follow the rules, don’t make a fool of yourself”. We are grown-ups, and grown-ups should do grown-up stuff.
Responsibilities and survival rise to the top of our to-do lists, and play, understandably, takes a back seat. It feels more like a luxury rather than a practice that keeps us more creative, happier, and healthier.
Of course, there are many situations when we need to be serious and act professionally. I certainly wouldn’t want my doctor cracking jokes in the middle of my surgery. However, in the right context, it can be really powerful, both in work and life.
What’s the best that could happen if we brought more play to our daily lives?
In recent years, playful spaces and activities for adults have multiplied. Think of classic LEGO kits, improv jams, crafternoons, escape rooms and boardgame cafes. We’re looking for new spaces to play, connect, and have fun beyond downing a pint.
Play doesn’t have to cost you a penny. It begins with you, your imagination, and the willingness to experiment, even if it feels silly.
It’s playtime!
All of these ideas sound very lovely, Sara. So, how can I bring more play into my life? It all comes down to your play style. Maybe you’re more visual, more into movement, or obsessed with stories and characters.
Whatever form of play rocks your boat, I want to share these powerful questions with you in the hope of helping you bring more play into your routine. Grab a pen and give yourself 10 minutes to reflect on the following questions.
Playback: rediscovering your play style
What kind of play feels most natural for you?
☐ Movement (dance, sports, walking)
☐ Creativity (drawing, writing, music, crafts)
☐ Exploration (day trips, new cafés, museums and galleries)
☐ Humour (jokes, memes, comedy shows)
☐ Games (board games, video games, puzzles)
☐ Making (cooking, DIY, building things)
What’s something you loved doing as a child that you miss? How could you translate it to adulthood?
For example: Drawing turns into live drawing, Play-Doh into ceramics class, climbing trees into bouldering, and storytelling into theatre.
Based on your answers, choose one activity you’d like to try this week.
Play buddies: The more the merrier
Who in your life brings out your playful side?
Friends, partner, ex-colleagues, that second cousin you haven’t spoken to in a while.
If you could design a playful moment for your friends/partner/colleagues this week, what would it look like?
A game night, a themed party, a dinner soiree, a meme/sticker WhatsApp group.
Based on your answers, choose one person/persons you’d like to play with and arrange your playdate.
Action play: Making play your second nature
What’s something ordinary in your environment you could make more playful? For example: Turning chores into a “mission”, illustrating your meetings, taking photos on your commute, writing up stories about the people on the bus.
If your week had a “play window,” when would it naturally fit?
Before work, lunch break, commute, after dinner, weekend morning.
Choose a specific time and place for your play experiment and add it to your calendar.
Check-in Time (after your playdate)
How did that feel? And looking ahead, what’s one small way you could integrate play in your day-to-day?
Ready to press play?
Play is the stick that stirs the drink. It is the basis of all art, games, books, sports, movies, fashion, fun, and wonder—in short, the basis of what we think of as civilisation. Play is the vital essence of life. It is what makes life lively.
― Stuart M. Brown Jr
What I love most about play is the way it sneaks joy back into our lives, especially when the world feels a bit upside down. Play wakes up our curiosity, nudges us into trying things without needing to be good at them, and brings us closer to other people in the most effortless ways. It recharges us when our minds are overloaded and makes the grind of work more manageable, so our minds can take a breather.
If you’ve been feeling bored, overworked, unengaged, or a bit rough around the edges, maybe you don’t need a full life makeover. Maybe you just need to press play. And remember…
“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing”
― George Bernard Shaw
I’ll see you on the playground!
