The Art of Play
The Art of Play is good for the Soul…no matter the age of the participant!
I chose PLAY as one of my focus words for 2025…a reminder that creativity, exploration, and child-like joy are essential at every age!
Play isn’t just about toys…although you will see a lot of those in this post…it’s about curiosity, movement, and the ability to find wonder in the simplest moments.
Playskool Vintage Stacking Rings
Play is a vital part of our well-being...it can reduce stress and keep us young at heart!
Our inspiration to “lighten up” today comes from discovering or remembering toys from the past…their quirky charm and nostalgic spirit gently remind us not to take life too seriously!
A walk down memory lane might inspire your own ideas about the word PLAY. For me, it was an excuse to take photos…Camera + Vintage Toys = PLAY-time in my book!
Mortimer Snerd Crazy Auto wind-up toy
Who can forget the delight of a wind-up metal toy like this Mortimer Snerd figure? Watching it spring to life with a turn of a key is a perfect metaphor for how a little spark of playfulness can set joy into motion.
I remember playing with this toy at my grandparent’s home when I was a kid. It was safely stored by my Mom over the years and will soon be passed to our grandson!
The box of toys at my grandparent’s house was full of “old fashioned” toys that we loved.
I remember a string of quacking wood ducks that we pulled around the house…and…an endless supply of wood blocks with letters and images carved into them. We spent hours building forts and castles and towers!
When is the last time you played with blocks?
Playing cards, checkers, and bingo, were also a big part of our family time together. Imagine…no screens or scrolling on our phones…how did we survive? lol
I saved this set of SNAP cards from one of my parent’s downsizing events…
and…who can resist a box of old checkers…still in the box…held together with a rubber band?
PLAY should not be restricted to indoors!
Playing outside…feeling the sun on your face, making up games in the yard, or chasing dandelion tuffs brings a special kind of freedom and joy that connects us to nature.
Toy tricycle made in Spain
The simple joy of riding a bicycle gives us a sense of freedom and exhilaration!
Spring is a great time to dust off your bike and take it for a spin!
vintage Gerber dolls from 1985
Bike rides are always better with a friend…and a picnic…so grab one of each and head out the door!
Remember the lace-up pairs of old-fashioned roller skates? These give me flashbacks of wobbly legs and many scraped knees. They are from the pre-helmet and knee pad era. lol
And…how about classic playground games like hopscotch, marbles, and jacks? This should remind us that PLAY doesn’t require fancy equipment—just a bit of imagination and willingness to try!
I saw an Instagram reel where a women drew a hopscotch game on the sidewalk in front of her house and then recorded all the people who stopped to jump as they walked past. Three seconds of pure joy on all their faces! I’m inspired to draw hopscotch grid on our road today and see what happens!
Stock image
Whether it’s through art, music, games, toys, or a game of hopscotch…keeping a sense of PLAY-fulness in our lives is important!
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