The Wisdom of Play

Leigh Ann Roman is reminded that recreation is important for both parents and children.

As parents, we know that play is inherently good for our children. We encourage active play outdoors where they are free to run, build, and use their imaginations.

But what about us? Do we know that play is important for adults, too? Research in neuroscience shows that humans have a play system in their brains and that play is essential for emotional development and resilience even in adults, according to an article published in Psychology Today on July 4, 2025.

Games are Good For You

I was reminded of this during a recent retreat where I had the opportunity to play both Yahtzee and pickleball. I hadn’t played Yahtzee in years, and I had never played pickleball. But as I chased the ball around a parking lot in the dusk, I felt like a kid again: the kid who played on the street until it was dark and my mother called me home.

Play is literally recreation, which is defined as “refreshment of one’s mind or body after labor through diverting activity,” in The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language by Houghton Mifflin, published in 1969. It is based on the Latin word recreare, which means to create anew.

With that definition in mind, play is actually an act of creativity. When we engage in anything creative, we are mimicking our Creator, which is another good reason to carve out time for play as adults.

Finding Time for Fun

I understand that finding time for play seems impossible to many moms, especially mothers of young children. But play can be defined as anything that refreshes your mind and body. I know one mother of four little boys who is a nurse practitioner. Her play is running, and she gets up at 4:00 AM to engage in this play. She also has a supportive husband, which is very important. For other mothers, a night out playing Bunko could be just the thing.

I regret to share that I didn’t play much as a young mother. The only thing I did was participate in a mother’s book club, and reading is definitely recreation for me. I’m still in a book club, and I took up running about 14 years ago when I returned to working full-time. It is a great way to de-stress and lighten up. The effect of play reminds me of the famous G.K. Chesterton quote from his book Orthodoxy, “Angels can fly because they take themselves lightly.”

The important thing is to find a way to play that works for your schedule and your budget. You don’t need to join an expensive gym or overburden your already busy routine.

About Children and Play

It is very important to prioritize play for your children, as well. Studies show that children today spend much less time playing than in previous generations — a result of overscheduling and the ubiquitous screens, according to a Feb. 15, 2026, article in Psychology Today.

Play is vital for children because it teaches them how to be creative and to solve problems. Play also gives children a way to explore their interests in a relaxed way, providing a sense of control. And possibly most important, studies show that play helps children manage their emotions by making the world feel more secure, according to the same article.

I recently watched the movie Toy Story 5, in which Jessie has to help the child Bonnie navigate the world of technological toys and making friends. The problem, as stated by Jessie, is that “Toys are for play, but tech is for everything.” And yes, that is the way it is today. A tiny screen that we can hold in our hands is the window to everything in the world.

The movie does a great job of showing the importance of imaginative play and face-to-face friendships, as well as the dangers of online bullying. And, of course, it has a happy ending.

As we parents find a way to incorporate recreation in our own lives, we must also navigate the tech world and help our children find healthy ways to play. That means we all need to put down our screens once in a while.

For me, a big lesson of my retreat is that I shouldn’t have to leave home to remember to play. We have Yahtzee. I could buy a pickleball racket. We have a cornhole game. But I am as guilty as many others of defaulting to my screen for relaxation and entertainment. And entertainment is not recreation. I’m grateful that the retreat reminded of the importance of play.

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Copyright 2026 Leigh Ann Roman
Images: Canva