It can be said that play is a fundamental part of growth and the creative process, even for adults. But how can we incorporate play and imagination into our daily lives? And how can it change our perception of what it is to play? Ultimately, the easiest way to bring these imaginative jaunts into our daily lives is through the things we see daily; the places we explore, inhabit, and build: the architecture we construct around ourselves.

Isamu Noguchi is one of the most notable architectural minds, credited for a more “hands-off” idea of play. While most commonly known for his flowy sculptures and dreamy furniture pieces, he envisioned a world where children are free to explore, interpret, and interact with the world in their own unique ways, all in the form of his playgrounds. His play structures feature abstract shapes, figures, and blobs that could be used and imagined in any way. There is no “right” way to play on a Noguchi playground, there is just play.

A Noguchi Playground, Image: Purple Magazine

In allowing children to imagine and explore, we let them breed important life skills, like problem-solving, communication, and creativity. In the long run, this helps society progress as a whole, as a new generation emerges with their innovative thoughts and ideas. And this is all without parental instruction! 

So am I telling you to abandon your kid at the park? No! I mean, who am I to tell you how to parent? But I am saying this: not everything about the world has to be “by the book”. Kids thrive when they have the freedom to explore on their own. Imagination is their greatest skill, and the same can apply to adults! So, not everything about your life has to be about the end goal: the job, the life, the house. It can be, if only just for a second, pretend.

Featured Image: Asian Art Newspaper