The power of play: the benefits of playing with your children

What would summer be like without a trip to the beach? Traveling to the beach is fun for adults and children. There are opportunities to play in the sand, build castles, and search for seashells. You can throw a soccer ball or participate in a game of volleyball; or take a leisurely stroll and enjoy the sound of the waves crashing against the shore. Of course, it’s always fun to jump in the shallow waves or, for the more adventurous, go into deeper waters.

Have you ever had a lemonade stand with your childhood friends? Then you will remember how much fun you had. So why not share this experience with your kids and get started? From building the stall to picking lemons to selling, this universal hobby for kids gives kids great opportunities to learn some of life’s virtues, like sharing and teamwork, and building a sense of community. Children are also introduced to the world of entrepreneurship and skills such as planning, selling, and even negotiation. Hmmm, do you know of any successful entrepreneurs who started out this way?

The next time someone tells you, “go fly a kite!” should. Flying a kite is a great way to interact with your kids in pure play while teaching them important lessons like perseverance, sharing, and teamwork. It is also a great opportunity for your children to see you and how you respond to moments of frustration, such as not getting the kite to fly right away. They will also experience the feeling of great achievement and “standing ten feet tall” once the kite takes off. Make sure you have your video recorder ready too, because you don’t want to miss a moment of your adventure together.

Looking to beat the summer heat? Taking the kids to the local bowling alley can be a fun outing. As kids have fun rolling the ball down the lane, they also learn about sportsmanship and competition. During games, children will look for ways to bond with each other and learn the art of collaboration and encouragement. After all, it always feels better when everyone wins!

Play is often described as a time when we feel most alive. It is important for our physical and mental health. Transform our emotions into positive experiences. It helps us connect with others and with the world around us. It can make work more productive and enjoyable, and it sharpens our ability to learn. There is a sense of peace that surrounds us because we are living in the moment and enjoying it. Children engage in this power of play all the time. By being in the present, we tend to free ourselves and not focus on fears or worry in advance about the future.

So this weekend he plans to go out and play. Who said kids should have all the fun?