As a kid, we’re always told by our parents to go play outside because that’s one way for us to “learn the skills that [we] need to acquire to grow into adulthood (Peter Grey 03.14).” And so we complied, we went out ran around the neighborhood, climbed up trees, and maybe ran to the park to play on the swing set. “It seems so natural that we don’t even think about it (Alison Gopnik on Radiolab).” What we didn’t know back then was that “play” is an essential part of developing creativity. It’s natural for us humans even animals to start with learning how to play. “By playing together, they learn to cooperate with one another… (Peter Grey 00.45).” 

In the beginning of our childhood days, “play is all about, inventing, making up crazy psychedelic connections, complete improv (Alison Gopnik).” It’s about making believe, having imaginary friends, and talking to them like they’re actual people. It’s being able to imagine that we’re princesses and firefighters. This is all the fun aspects of play when we were a kid. When we played there weren’t any set rules that we had to follow in order to be happy. It was just a time and place where we were able to run freely to express ourselves. 

Over time, we have fewer and fewer opportunities to do these kinds of things since we’re weighed down by our responsibilities. School, good, grades, and extracurricular activities; these all take away time from our play. Play is beneficial to us, it’s time for us to release our minds of stress. “Research has also shown that making time for play even protects children from the negative impacts of prolonged exposure to stress (UNICEF).”  That’s how important play is in everyday life. Because of the importance of play, everyone should consider taking a step back for a moment to enjoy themselves, go play!