Friday, May 9, 2008

Play Date

Playing outside used to be normal: hopscotch, kickball, even that hoop-and-stick thing in old movies. These days, though, sometimes things get so hectic we forget to make time just to play -- whether for ourselves or for our children.

The Play Pledge aims to change all that. Sponsored by the International Play Equipment Manufacturers Association (but still a good idea), the concept is we sign a contract with our kids (but I think it could be modified to be with ourselves) to get outside and have some fun.

Play builds intellectual, social and physical skills. Oh, and it's fun. So let's get out there and play!

4 comments:

Red said...

How about the swings? I actually can't run or hop anymore; there's every chance I'd fall down. However, I've always loved swings and I still do. Great for relieving stress. Feels like you're flying!

Great-Grandmother's Shopping List said...

Red: I think the swings are a perfect way to play! Swings, according to a study at http://www.playcore.com/upload/file/frost-swings-final.pdf, promote movement and perceptual skills, spatial awareness, general fitness, social interaction, mental representation and sensory integration, including vestibular development (balance). How cool is that?!

Anonymous said...

See-saws are fun too-- kind of a metaphor for life -- all about balance.

Melissa said...

My girls like us to blow bubbles and chase them. It doesn't require anything but water, soap, a bubble wand, and a day without rain.