Comments on: Bringing Back Playtime

By: Diane

Diane — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 19:23:28 +0000

I love group activities during facilitated working sessions but never so much liked playing games with friends or family. Bridge, canasta, poker, seems so bland to me. I tried bunko, but I just can’t concentrate because I want to visit with the people I’m sitting with…on and on. Excuses.

then my significant other wanted to host a game night at our house. We invited just a few people. She selected a couple of high energy games and we settled on pictionary. It was rockin fun! I loved it. Can’t wait to do it again.

By: Heidi

Heidi — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 21:29:17 +0000

I think we grow up from fun loving kittens and turn into old fat stoogie cats. I get really boring without playtime. Three things shake up the play going on here; trampoline, kids, and kids on the trampoline. With netting.
Oh and we just started a game night once a month had a lot of fun – happy game night!

By: elizabeth

elizabeth — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 21:19:47 +0000

I went through a MAJOR Text Twist addiction whilst in graduate school. And I’ve been DYING to buy Apples to Apples (birthday is coming up May 22, if anyone out there is interested in a birthday gift idea!!).

By: terry

terry — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 20:33:19 +0000

Text twist is my new addiction. Does that count has play? Playful–joyful–good words, good practice

Play is good. I reminds me of one of my favorite yoga poses, the happy baby pose!

By: Anne

Anne — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:54:34 +0000

Yes, Eva! We’re indeed “real life” sisters:) Small world.

By: Emily

Emily — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 18:44:09 +0000

While it is easier to play when you have kids, (built in playmate) I have honestly struggled over the years with carving time out to play. It is probably the area that I need to develop more because my initial instinct is NOT to play because there is work to be done. But when I do play, I love it and promise that I will do it more… until the next time…. an onoing process.

By: Kristen @ Motherese

Kristen @ Motherese — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:34:51 +0000

I’m with you and Eva – never a big fan of the group-bonding games at work retreats. At the last school where I worked they had a ROPES course that they loved to send us climbing up and over. I guess for me the compulsive aspect of those events detracted from any potential spontaneity.

I do love games in general, however, and always have. My family was big into games and many family events ended with epic games of Trivial Pursuit or Taboo.

Enjoy your Lenten addition!

By: Eva

Eva — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:56:23 +0000

Anne, this post made me laugh. We’ve been forced to do role-playing at our annual department retreat. In my mind, that is torture. But it is also the most likely part of the retreat to cause side-splitting laughter. Once I get over my insecurity and say “screw it” it’s wildly entertaining.

Apples to Apples is my favorite group game. I recommend that for your totally random evening of fun.

PS – Are you and Gale really sisters?! I follow both of your blogs. How strange, to discover “six degrees of separation” in the virtual world.

By: Gale

Gale — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:30:04 +0000

Anne – I’m so glad you liked my Ash Wednesday post. And I’m glad it inspired you to make your own addition. (Also funny that it was a post of yours that inspired part of my Lenten additions. It’s like we’re sisters or something…)

I’ll echo Jennifer’s comments about play being easier with kids. Granted at 15-months my son’s idea of play doesn’t precisely coincide with mine. But it always involves silliness and laughter, and no reflection!

Have fun at your game night and I can’t wait to hear about it!

By: Danyiel

Danyiel — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:02:48 +0000

I think as adults we forget to play. Life becomes about being a grown up and having responsibility, who has time for play right? But I think when you have kids they teach you to play all over again, you really have no choice.
I am learning all over again to have some fun in my life, like go to the zoo and just enjoy feeding the fish and eating icecream.
Good Luck on your endevor and let us know how it goes.