The times they are a changing. I think that was a Dylan song. Yeah, that’s an understatement. When I was a kid…Yeah, that’s right, it’s one of those…
When I was a kid, I did not have to walk uphill both ways to school in 3 feet of snow. I would have been walking all day. I lived in the middle of the country. I rode the bus. But when I was a kid, there were no video games let alone home consoles. The Internet was in its early childhood; reserved for academics. I had a creek out back and 10 acres of woods to explore. And I did. I had a sandbox and trees to climb and miles of road to ride my bike on with little to fear from cars. My closest friend was two houses away; also known as a ten minute walk. That’s how close our houses weren’t.
When I was a kid I occasionally needed to be pushed to go outside and play. But that’s because I had my nose in a book.
Do places like that exist anymore? I don’t know. I live in suburbia in the internet age (heck, internet isn’t even capitalized anymore).
So with all the distractions and stresses we have today, it’s more important than ever to make sure you get some downtime. And I don’t just mean your kids. I mean you. And by downtime I don’t mean a night out at the bar or a bubble bath. I mean downtime outside. Enjoying nature at a local park. Taking a walk. Playing with your kids at a playground. Or even going outside and trying to hula hoop again like only a 6 year old can (well my 6 year old, I was not able to hula hoop at any age).
Do you need inspiration on getting out there and playing like a kid again? Check out the Voice of Play’s Playful Trends for some fun ideas on how to play like a kid again.
* This post is sponsored by the Voice of Play. Regardless, all opinions expressed are still 100% my own.
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