Parenting
Why We Should Embrace Playtime with Our Children, Even When It’s Not Our Favorite Activity
I’ll be honest: I genuinely enjoy playing with my kids about 90% of the time. As a parent of three, few things bring me as much joy as tossing a football with my ten-year-old son or helping my three-year-old daughter assemble her Peppa Pig Lego set. But then there’s that pesky 10%. Those moments can be quite a challenge.
After a long, exhausting 12-hour workday, the last thing I want to do is engage in a game of Battleship. Honestly, I find board games dreadfully tedious, even when I’m playing with my kids. It’s nothing personal; I’ve simply never been a fan. Yet, despite my distaste for these games, I still find myself playing them regularly—even when I really don’t feel like it. I might even “cheat” a bit, making every shot a direct hit for my child to wrap things up quickly. My child feels accomplished for beating dad, and I get to escape the game a little sooner. It’s a win-win situation.
For those who love their children but struggle with the concept of play, it’s worth noting that there is some compelling research about the benefits of playtime. For the past few years, Ikea has published an Annual Play Report, shedding light on the myriad advantages of play. According to the 2017 report, “play is serious business. We’ve conducted extensive research on the Role of Play… engaging with over 300 individuals from Germany, the US, and China to better understand how and why we play.”
One section that particularly resonated with me, as a father who sometimes feels drained after a long day, was titled “How Do We Play Together?” It identifies six distinct types of play and their benefits for both parents and children. For instance, ‘freestyle’ play involves the child dictating the terms of play. This can be a bit uncomfortable for the parent, as the child creates the rules. However, this form of play fosters a child’s confidence and decision-making while allowing adults to regain a childlike perspective, which can inspire fresh ideas and challenge conventional thinking.
Another example is “Out-of-the-Box” play, which encompasses creative activities like messy art projects. When your child transforms the kitchen table into a canvas, you might find yourself critiquing their masterpiece of a monkey with a very open-minded approach. This kind of play encourages imaginative thinking, enabling both adults and children to explore creativity beyond the confines of rules and obligations. Although we often live in a world governed by structure, imagination is a key driver of innovation, and this type of play lays the foundation for developing a problem-solving mindset.
The report also addresses formal play, where structured games like chess or, yes, my nemesis Battleship come into play. According to the findings, “this type of play brings families closer together and offers a fun way for both adults and children to focus, relax, and think outside the box.” Despite my aversion to board games, learning about their benefits has motivated me to embrace these activities more frequently and with greater enthusiasm.
The Play Report also highlights additional play types such as ‘Mirror-Me’ play, ‘Muddy-Boots’ play, and ‘Build-It’ play, all of which offer similar advantages to both parents and children.
Some readers may be thinking, “Well, obviously play is good for both kids and parents.” However, after a long day of endless demands from the kids or negotiating screen time, the last thing you may want is to dive into a board game or engage in an impromptu version of Tag with ever-changing rules. And yes, I’m sure someone will leave a comment criticizing me for admitting that I sometimes prefer a moment of peace rather than partake in a game that’s still in development.
But if you, like me, need a little extra encouragement to pull out the art supplies—and then deal with the inevitable mess—consider the tangible benefits of playing with your child. It could make the chaos and the ambiguity of those games a bit more bearable. For more insights on parenting and the joys of play, visit Modern Family Blog. Additionally, if you’re exploring other parenting topics, check out this excellent resource on in vitro fertilization or learn more about home insemination options with this artificial insemination kit.
In summary, while playtime might not always be enjoyable, it’s crucial for both parents and children. By understanding its benefits, we can foster better connections with our kids, even during those challenging moments.