I’m almost halfway done with college, and the thought of this does scare me a little bit. Actually, it scares me more than a little bit. Life as a kid was full of possibility and freedom, and as an adult, your sense of imagination decreases. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t still act like a kid every now and then. These are a few things that make me just as excited now as they did when I was a kid.
1. Ice cream
There’s no denying this. The thought of eating an ice cream sundae, an ice cream sandwich, a popsicle, or a milkshake makes me just as happy now as it did when I was a kid. Especially when it comes out of an ice cream truck.
2. Jumping in a bouncy house
No matter how old I am, I will never not be excited to jump in a bouncy house. It’s just one of those things that makes me feel like a kid again.
3. Running around and being outside
I always wonder how kids these days have so much energy, and then I remember I once had that much energy too. Whether it was playing softball in my yard, biking around my neighborhood, or drawing with chalk on my driveway, all I wanted to do was play outside as a kid. I won’t pass up the opportunity to play some games outside or just sit outside on a nice day because it reminds me of the carefree kid I once was.
4. Hula hooping
Hula hooping is still so much fun. Challenge me to a hula-hooping contest. and I’m sure I’ll win. At least, I feel like I will.
5. Jump rope
I would say jumping rope would be my exercise of choice if I had one. As a kid, if I saw a jump rope, I would immediately pick it up. Jumping rope also reminds me of recess, when the entire grade would get together and sing songs while jump roping.
6. Gaga Ball
A camp and childhood favorite, playing this game will always remind me of the summertime as a kid when my biggest worry losing in Gaga. If the opportunity arises to play this game, I get just as excited and, of course, just as competitive.
7. Mac and cheese
Bring on the Kraft, and I’ll devour it in five minutes. Pretty sure mac and cheese gets me more excited now than it did when I was a kid.
8. Card games
Ever since I was a kid, I loved card games. Even now, as a 19-year-old, I’m always down for a game of Spit.
9. Just Dance and Mario Kart
Mario Kart is just as entertaining as it was when I was a kid, and if a friend were to ask me to play Just Dance, I’ll say yes, of course.
10. Playing "keep it up" with a balloon
Much like “the floor is lava,” this game has one rule and one rule only. Yeah, it’s kind of pointless, but that’s what makes it fun.
11. Coloring
Adult coloring books are a thing, and I’m all for it.
12. Eating sugary cereal
If I am craving a bowl of frosted flakes, I will find a way to get that bowl of frosted flakes, and I will eat every last flake. I’ll probably even go for seconds.
13. Jumping on a trampoline
Way back in the day when I did gymnastics, the trampoline meant frontflips, backflips, and somersaults. Now, it’s jumping for a few minutes until I realize I’m already out of breath. Nevertheless, trampolines are still a lot of fun, especially the ones in trampoline parks.
As adults, we no longer spend our free time playing The Sims for hours or eating candy until our stomachs hurt, but that doesn't mean we can't do these things every once in a while. The beauty of being an adult is that we can choose to be a kid again sometimes, but we still have the responsibilities and freedoms that come with being an adult. Recapture those childlike feelings of excitement and spontaneity because I'm sure it will add a few years to your life.
