Play Isn't Just Fun - Its Essential!
Play doesn't end in childhood. Play is a time to unwind, reconnect, and be social. Many of us are so consumed in our hectic routines that we forget to take time to include fun in our daily lives. Fun time is not only essential for children; it's essential for adults. Engaging with your partner, pets, children or co-workers is a fun way to fuel your imagination, creativity, problem solving skills and emotional well being.
Adult play may seem like a fun waste of time but there are many benefits of play/interactives:
- Relieves stress
- Stimulates the mind and body
- Improves brain function
- Improves relationships and your connection to others
- Improves creativity
- Improves social skills
What is play?
Dr. Stuart Brown, author of Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul, explains that play is scheduling a specific time to engage in the things you enjoy. For me, reading is a quiet moment of relaxation where I set aside 1 hour for myself to do nothing but lose myself in “made-up land”.
Watching my children play around with TikTok videos, I am reminded that dancing is a social activity. And although I don’t participate in the dances - I am still bonding and having fun with my kids. Puzzles are also another form of play - sudoku is one of my favorite puzzles. I love the concept of figuring out where to put things and have them come together in a suit. Oddly I have never been able to play card games as I could never grasp games other than Old Maid. Growing up, cards weren't allowed in my house because it was considered gambling, we were only allowed to use board games which is why books and puzzles are my favorite.
- When was the last time you took time to play?
- Who did you play with?
- Where did the play take place?
- What was interesting about your play?
Adults can also learn through play.
The same fun-loving perspective I have doesn’t stop when I step into a museum. I play with interactives as much as my kids because I too am curious. Play has no age limitations. Well thought-out interactives allow me to understand the topic more than just text; it activates my problem-solving skills; and it allows me to be present. At Atomic Carrots we believe that play (especially interactives) should be for ALL, including adults.
Caption - Adult playing with an interactive created by Atomic Carrots for the Art + Stroll Event hosted by Business for the Arts of Broward