NATIONAL PLAY DAY

Summer is in full swing on July 19 and the perfect the day celebrate National Play Day! It's time to unleash your inner child, spark your creativity, and learn why play is an important part of living a happy life.

#NATIONALPLAYDAY

Play is one of the most simple, yet rewarding activities you can do. It unlocks curiosity and allows you to explore the world in an engaging way. Besides being fun, play opens a sense of enjoyment that is essential for development and overall well-being. In fact, play can actually help build problem-solving skills to help navigate challenges we face in life.

Benefits of Playing

The next time someone says play is just for kids, tell them they are wrong. Playing is a biological need in our DNA that helps the brain develop. In fact, we become smarter, stronger, and happier each time we play. Some research even suggests we all have the play gene in our bodies called the RT1 gene, or rough and tumble gene. This gene apparently influences how much someone loves physical play. The stronger the gene, the more the person loves playful experiences. Play is a part of our core that has been shaped by evolution over time. Playing:

Improves brain function by building neural connections, boosts imagination and learning, and reduces stress.
Supports a healthy body by promoting physical activity and coordination, encourages mental development and growth, and improves motor skills.
Provides emotional and social benefits by teaching teamwork and compromise, builds self-esteem, and provides a healthy outlet for expression.
Creates a love of learning by teaching problem-solving skills, stimulates innovative ideas, and builds a resilience to adaptability to change.

CELEBRATING NATIONAL PLAY DAY

How we play depends on who we are and our age. For kids, play means learning to be creative and building strength in the mind and body. For adults, it's how we socialize and make friends. In fact, adults who play have a lower stress level because they allow themselves to relax and recharge from the daily grind. We've come up with a few ideas of play for any age to encourage you to make the best of National Play Day:

Ages 2-5:

Create a dress-up box with hats, scarves, clothes, and accessories. Playing dress-up encourages a child to use their imagination and be creative.
Make an obstacle course out of pillows, blankets, chairs, and other items in your home. Obstacle courses can promote coordination and balance.
Fill a container with rice, beans, or macaroni and then hide small objects inside. Let the child look for the the objects and identify what they found.

Ages 6-12:

Make sock puppets and organization a puppet show. Let the child make the skit up as the go. This allows the child to use their imagination and increase self-esteem when they share their puppet show to an audience.
Create art projects or simple science projects out of material around your house using glue, paints, magazines, or other household items. Art is a great way to encourage kids to come up with innovative ideas.
Build a fort using blankets, towels, furniture, or chairs. Building a fort helps encourage problem-solving skills by figuring out the design and how it will stay in place.

Teens and Adults:

Create yard games, such as a giant checkerboard or have relay races.
Host a barbeque with family and friends and provide water guns, water balloons, table games for guests to play with.
Play life-size Jenga or corn-hole.

Playing is time for you to use your imagination. Whether you are a child or an adult, playing is enjoyable and relaxing. Share you day of play with us on social media using the hashtag #NationalPlayDay. Be an inspiration to others by sharing how you and your family celebrate National Play Day!