By SHELLEY STOCKWELL-NICHOLAS, PhD
Who did you like best to hang around with as a kid? Most likely, they were playmates who brought out the fun in you. Think of your happiest memories. I’ll bet they include being playful. Connecting with your inner playful child instills joyous memories and may be the best gift you give yourself and your family. So, here are easy ways to focus on fun that I teach students at the Creativity Learning Institute.
1. FOCUS ON PERSONAL LIKES.
What interests YOU and what interests each member of your family? You can brainstorm together asking. “How can we incorporate each of our likes into an activity?” If they like a certain music, get up and dance to it.
2. ASK FOR INPUT.
Ask each friend, family member and yourself; “What would you like to do during as a mini-vacation or social event. Write these down. Encourage everyone’s input and do not discount even “out-there” ideas. All thoughts are worthy of consideration.
3. PLAY EACH DAY.
Do something– anything– playful each day. Put time aside on your calendar. Create a joke telling time. Laughing yoga is a blast. So is a splash in the pool, or a water gun fight or feed each other an ice cream cone or dinner. Every day activities is made fun when you make it so. Have each family member cook one item for dinner. Dress the cat (maybe not so fun for the cat). Do a group project and put together a bookshelf or paint the garage door. Have a treasure hunt. Go grocery shopping and only buy groceries that start with the letter “T.” You get the idea…
4. BE HERE NOW.
What is interesting and fun in your house or outside (remember outside?) or on television. What’s going on in your community that you can do? Check out local happenings or simply GO for a walk in nature.
5. SURPRISE EACH OTHER.
Give each person in your family or a lonely neighbor a surprise time or excursion to do something that they find fun. Then, maybe their cup of tea will taste as sweet as yours. Be spontaneous and schedule a contest to see who can spit a watermelon seed the farthest. Have a blindfold trust walk as a treat. Have everyone do a skit for the rest of the family. Schedule a camp out in your backyard. Draw a group painting. Have everyone make a page of a family scrapbook. Have everyone take their cell phones and take a picture for the book that best represents them.
6. PUT UP A SIGN “No ‘seriosity’ allowed!”