The Importance of Play in Adult Life

As we grow older, the time for play often diminishes as we prioritize work and responsibilities. However, research shows that adults can benefit greatly from incorporating playfulness into their lives, much like children do.

Studies have shown that engaging in playful activities can help adults cope better with stress, experience more positive emotions, show greater resilience when facing challenges, and report higher levels of life satisfaction.

Our research with families in New Zealand has highlighted how supporting unstructured play can lead to reduced stress and increased feelings of connection among adults, while also normalizing playfulness in everyday family interactions.

In a world where busyness is the norm, play offers essential qualities that we risk losing: spontaneity, togetherness, and the freedom to have fun.

While play in adulthood may look different from play in childhood, it is still a valuable aspect of life. Adult play can take on various forms, such as physical, social, creative, or imaginative activities. It can involve movement, music, humor, storytelling, problem-solving, or simply engaging in activities for the sheer pleasure of it.

What defines an activity as playful is not its form, but the mindset behind it: curiosity, openness, and a willingness to engage without a predetermined outcome. For adults, play is often integrated into hobbies and moments of exploration that exist outside of work and obligations.

The Benefits of Incorporating Playfulness into Adult Life

A recent study suggests a potential neurobiological link between playfulness and cognitive health in older adults. Play provides a space for individuals to reset, stepping away from pressure and performance, which in turn supports stress regulation, emotional balance, and overall quality of life throughout adulthood.

Furthermore, playfulness in social contexts helps build shared emotional resources, shaping how individuals interact and cope with one another over time. Adults who engage playfully tend to exhibit higher emotional intelligence, displaying a stronger ability to perceive and manage emotions in social situations.

Observational studies have shown that playful adults are more empathetic, reciprocal, and positive in their interactions with others, fostering social connection and a sense of belonging.

Play has the unique ability to transcend age boundaries. When adults and children engage in play together, differences in age, roles, and status often fade away, replaced by shared enjoyment and interaction.

Research suggests that inter-generational play experiences can strengthen relationships, support wellbeing, and diminish age-based stereotypes. Play serves as a universal language that bridges age divides perpetuated by modern living.

Environments that support play are not only physical but also social. Urban design and social norms play a significant role in determining whether play is perceived as acceptable in adult life. When play is normalized and seen as a natural part of life, it becomes easier for individuals to engage in playful behavior.

Incorporating Play into Everyday Life

If play is essential across the lifespan, the environments we inhabit must support it. While most public spaces are designed with children in mind, there is a growing need to integrate playful elements into everyday settings to encourage adult play.

Features like oversized steps, interactive seating, or winding paths can invite exploration, balance, and movement. Some cities have incorporated adult-sized play elements into public spaces, such as musical swings, to turn routine activities into playful interactions.

Despite these advancements, play-oriented design remains the exception rather than the norm, with most public play infrastructure concentrated in children’s spaces. Designing cities that promote adult play as a part of everyday life could enhance inclusion, social connection, and overall population wellbeing.

Reframing play as a legitimate part of adult life opens up new possibilities for enhancing wellbeing across the lifespan. Playfulness continues to hold significance well beyond childhood, offering a pathway to reduced stress, increased emotional intelligence, and strengthened social connections.

This article was written by Scott Duncan, Professor of Population Health at Auckland University of Technology, and Melody Smith, Professor of Health Science at the University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau.

This content is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here.