Well Played: Activity Inspiration + Lessons Learned

I love to have fun and be playful as much as the next person but coming up with ideas beyond an impromptu dance party doesn’t always come easy. I’ve always associated playfulness by interacting with children and in my twenties (long before having my own) I sought many opportunities to engage with kids through volunteering.

Teaching vacation bible school, working at The Little Gym, leading group fitness classes for tweens at a rehabilitation center and even developing a teen fitness program, I was all about finding any opportunity that inspired my playful side.

Fast forward to marriage and two kids…Why has my ability to be WELL PLAYED become so stifled?

How do I raise kids who crave play time rather than kicking and screaming at the suggestion of pulling out a simple board game?

Sure I can blame our daily schedule – we’re never home, we’re too busy, we don’t have the space. I totally get it. But we chose to move from the city giving ourselves more space, why isn’t our home exuding more fun?? Not to mention I specifically designed an area in the kitchen to house copious amounts of art supplies and board games.

I knew my friend Well Played:The Ultimate Guide to Awakening Your Family’s Playful Spirit and took the opportunity to bend her ear one evening over cocktails. I shared with her my concern that I felt inapt when it came to really playing with my kids.

Not only do I have a difficult coming up with ideas, my kids are unmotivated participants and the biggest hurdle – my husband’s need for constant order. That means stuff is not permitted to linger out of place longer than a few hours. While I had smartly dedicated a few drawers for play supplies we weren’t even using any of it. Out of sight, out of mind was an understatement.

Turns out many parents are having the same issue. Not just a book – Well Played is a full on manual and how-to guidebook. Parents listen to me now…

If you are tired of spending countless hours searching Pinterest for summer activities, hearing your kids complain they are bored, asking to watch TV or sitting around playing video games …..please stop reading this now and go purchase the book that will save summer. 

After my evening with Meredith I was inspired and rejuvenated and went home giddy thinking of ideas and ways to create a more playful environment. I was on a mission to impress the playful pants off of Meredith. I wanted to make her proud.

Well Played Inspired Activities

Epic Playdate: My first project was hosting a playdate for my youngest. Normally I prefer to let the kids play independently but this time was different. The girls dressed up, I pulled out the fancy tea set for snack time and then killed it with a really cool dance party.

It was really fun and I actually enjoyed myself. According to Meredith adding an inexpensive disco ball is a dance party game-changer. Totally doing this!

Bird House Rock: Next up was the bird house project. We purchased really inexpensive bird houses {similar here} which required basic assembling. My husband was in charge of the tools and the girls were in charge of painting. I loved the mix of him being involved but also they could finish independently.

We never could find a tree in our yard to hang the houses but they had so much fun who really cares.

Outdoor Games: We recently became the proud owners of this Giant Toppling Tower from GoSports that I pull out when the troops get restless. Also makes a great party game for the summer but now that we have a garage I’m thinking we can get year round use of this thing.

Road trip Warriors: OMG all my kids want to do on long road trips is watch movies or be on a device playing games. This summer we brought the usual art supplies and reading books but after reading Well Played I was determined to mix it up. A few hours in they girls were driving us crazy so I googled “Kids riddles”. Shockingly reading riddles out loud kept them highly entertained while driving and even when we stopped to eat dinner. How did I not think of this?? It was simple and FREE!

Trampoline Time: Meredith talks about the benefits of trampolines and I couldn’t agree more. We purchased ours in March and it keeps the girls active for hours and we jump as a family. Its become a source of entertainment for me and my husband after the kids are in bed too.

Lessons Learned from the Well Played Book

Create a dedicated area that inspires creativity. Banishing all toys and art to the basement or room where no one frequents doesn’t count. The kitchen table is the ideal place in our home but I knew it would an issue for my husband.

Meredith suggested that I really push for this and establish guidelines that he could handle. It wasn’t easy but now our kitchen table is home to a family laptop used for the oldest to practice math and write, a bowl for crayons and markers, flashcards, a few coloring books and two board games. I rotate the items within a few days but keep it organized and the girls pick up their mess after using.

“ Just remind yourself NO ONE LIVES IN A POTTERY BARN CATALOG! THEY’RE SO TOTALLY FAKE, Y’ALL.”

Our Well Played table has made the biggest impact. Seeing the items out in the open reminds me and my husband to instigate play time or jump in when the girls are playing independently. The convenient location allows me to oversee and engage while cooking meals.

Give yourself permission to play. Remember all that time spent in my twenties searching for ways to volunteer with kids? That was my way of satisfying my inner child. By the time my 30’s and 40’s rolled in, establishing my career, getting married, having kids and all the responsibilities for becoming an adult quickly overrode that feeling. I’ve had enough and taking it all back and giving myself permission to be Well Played.

“Just as we are urged to be well fed, well hydrated, well educated, well connected, well trained…. we must give ourselves permission to be well played.”

Get more out of playing. Now that I’ve given myself permission, I need to figure out how to actually enjoy playing with my kids, friends spouse and even solo. This is key people. It’s easy to say oh hey yeah I played with my kids today but are we really living a more playful life?? Well Played is giving me all the tools, tips, advice, recommendations needed to succeed. I started reading this past week and honestly Meredith has thought of everything with hundreds of lists, more ideas than any Pinterest board and so much inspiration I was amazed how quickly it was to get started.

“Like prayer, mediation, therapy, yoga, a great run, ora healthy roll in the hay,” the practice of playfulness is game-changing and deeply beneficial to our overall well-being.”

Well said Meredith, Well said.

Since landing on my doorstep, I can’t stop referencing Well Played for ideas. Every time I hear – “I’m BORED” from the other room – all I have to do is pull out my handy dandy guidebook for an easy Well Played idea and within minutes they are distracted.

Well Played is this summer’s rescue guide for all parents, grandparents, godparents, aunts and uncles or anyone who just wants to bring purposeful play into their lives.

Purchase your copy of Well Played here.

I was provided a copy of Well Played for review purposes. All chic opinions are honest and 100% my own. 

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