We are genetically programmed to have fun and play. Fun and play have survival benefits. Play can be used to develop motor skills as well as social and emotional skills all of which add to survival. By adults many of us have lost our sense of fun and play as play is often considered extraneous, unimportant, and non-productive. Grandparents often re-engage their sense of play. Why wait? Why not engage in play now!
Here are a few suggestions to re-engage your sense of fun and play.
Prop-Position; Carry and use a playful prop. I carry a clown nose, an Elvis Driver’s license, a magic thumb (that lights up), official ID with a clown nose, etc. In my car I carry mental floss, bubbles, clown wigs, etc. My Elvis driver’s license has been a great hit at airport security as well as at rental car agencies and hotels.
Invoke Your Comic Vision; Look to the humor around you. Each day find a “funny” in your environment. Have your kids help. Here are a few of examples: As one approaches Baltimore International Airport there is a sign that reads: Satellite Parking, Next Exit. (How many satellites do you seeing coming in for a landing?) A sign at a restaurant reads, “Children left unattended will be towed at the owner’s expense.” A sign on the freeway approaching San Diego once read, “Cruise Ships, Use airport Exit.” Are there that many Cruise ships on the freeway? Finally, in the galley of Virgin Atlantic Airlines are canvas recycling bags that read, “Virgin Recycling.”