Challenge Toolkit: Play!

Below are some inspiration and ideas to help you complete the Community in Action: Play! challenge:

INSPIRATION: Why Play?

Research shows that active and creative play is fundamental to healthy growth and development. So let’s disconnect from our devices, stop overworking, and connect more with our children, our inner-children, each other, and mother nature. Let's go out and play!

Free Time: The Forgotten American Dream

Don't Miss Your Life: Find More Joy and Fulfillment Now

The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun

The Sweet Spot: Finding Your Groove at Home and Work

The Value of Reducing Children's Screen Time: An Interview with Jean Rogers

On Overwork:

IDEAS: Things YOU Can Do to Play!

Here are some ideas for things you can do to play, in the three areas of our challenge:

INDIVIDUAL Challenge: Pick Up a New Hobby (or Revive an Old One)
Whatever you love to do for fun—or think you'd love if you gave it a try—go for it! Whether it’s dusting off an old film camera or bike, or learning how to build or bake something from scratch, let that passion take flight.

Reward Yourself with Time and Creativity in the New Year

Get Outside:

Embrace Alternatives to Screens:

Get Creative:

Embrace Your Inner DIY:

Choose Creative Toys and Games:

Expand Your Kids' Horizons:

Read a Book!

Start a Garden:

Enjoy Family Meals Together:

GROUP Challenge: Organize a Regular Neighborhood Get-Together
What’s even better than playing? Playing together with neighbors, of course. Funnify your neighborhood by planning a regular get-together. Front yard/stoop Fridays? Saturday night potlucks? Sunday softball? Yes, please!

Reinvent the Potluck

Join Your Neighbors for a Really, Really Big Lunch

How to Host an Unforgettable Party

Host a Clothing (or Other) Swap:

Create a Pop-Up Play Event

Start a Repair Cafe or Fixers Collective

Start a CSA (Community Supported Art)

EXTRA Challenge: Start a Play-ful Group in Your Community
Set the stage for play in your community, while sparking new connections. Start a toy lending library, babysitting co-op, outdoor sports or play group, or whatever sounds fun and gets you and new friends (young, old, or anywhere in between) out to play!

Start a Nature-Based Playgroup

Start a Babysitting Co-op

Start a Toy Lending Library:

Other Resources

GUIDE: Good Times Made Simple: The Lost Art of Fun – tips for inexpensive, non-commercial family fun

GUIDE: 5 Simple Steps to Reclaiming Your Weekend – practical ideas to help you unplug, recharge, and connect