There's still a time-out taking, five-second-rule breaking, recess-loving young child inside each of us. I have learned to embrace mine. She's thankful for all of the little kid activities I let her continue to pursue. Maybe you should give that six-year-old inside of you a chance to break free, too. If you haven't done any of these things in a while, I advise you to try. You won't regret it, and you'll definitely still find the joy in each activity.
1. Building a fort. It was easy at age eight to grab two chairs, throw a sheet over the top and hide inside from your little brother. Now, just think about how elaborate your forts would be. You're tall enough to reach the ceiling fan and wise enough to know that the Barbie comforter from your bed is far too heavy to hold up with couch cushions. Forts can be higher, bigger and more spacious. You could have a whole Netflix party under there.
2. Playing at the park. Who doesn't still love to swing? Think about how much fun you used to have pumping your legs as high as you could go and then jumping off at the top. The park would still be so much fun, no matter if you're nine or 19. The slide may not seem as long and tall to you now, but I bet you miss that tiny thrill you used to get. Have no shame in the park. We all love it.
3. Sidewalk chalk. Tracing your friend's body at the end of the driveway is still fun, people. Think about how much fun you had coloring in their short-necked, fat-fingered outlines with every possible color of the rainbow. How can you pass up the opportunity to relive your artistic, driveway-coloring days?
4. Taking a bath. So, many of us still take baths. But don't just sit in the lukewarm dirty water next time you do. Grab some Mr. Bubble and a rubber ducky. Baths don't have to be boring because you're “old" now. Listen to some music and enjoy your "you time" in a bubbly, toy-filled tub.
5. Blowing bubbles. So simple, yet so very enjoyable. Need to blow off steam? Blow a bubble.
6. Slip n' slide. Sure, the 16-foot piece of plastic was fun then, but can you imagine it now? Slip n' Slides can be made out of anything, really. Trash bags, large pieces of tarp, a pool cover — all are very easy substitutes. After a heavy rain, I bet you could even free-style it in the mud without anything else at all.
7. Kickball. You never wanted to be picked last at your neighborhood kickball game. Why not start up a game of your own with all of your friends at school? Your little feet and little steps around the bases have definitely grown by now. Kickball was everyone's recess favorite, and I can guarantee it still is.
8. Skip It! I'll bet you forgot about that Godsend, beauty of a toy! When your day has been far too busy and you didn't have time for your daily trip to the gym, go back to your dorm and Skip It! If your dad sold your Skip It at a garage sale, Amazon has your back, people. Get psyched to skip.
9. Coloring books. You would not believe the amount of stress that is relieved from tearing a picture of Mickey Mouse out of a book and coloring him in with a new pack of Crayolas. If you have writer's block or have been mindlessly staring at a computer screen all day, whip out the coloring book and take a break. You will thank me later.
10. NAPPING. As kids, we didn't ever want to nap. We NEEDED to nap to prevent the mini tantrums and throwing of sippy cups, but we never actually wanted to. As college students, the same rules apply. Without naps, we'd be chucking textbooks at the wall and having panic attacks in our dorm rooms. Take your daily naps. You need them.
