What is the value of imaginative play for adults?

Answer 1

I think imaginative play is essential to the ongoing development of our brains and mental harmony. So many people get caught up in their busy, professional lives and die old, gray and boring.

I grew up on the outskirts of a big city, where I took a schoolbus 30 minutes to school. But while I was at home, I was busy swinging sticks, throwing rocks, climbing tree's and hills, catching crayfish and playing games in the creek beside my house - exploring cornfields, catching snakes, but most importantly all of this play revolved around me imagining I was in a pretend world with pretend monsters, pretend goals and pretend story lines. Now at the age of 18 I can really see the effect it has had on me - my outlook of life, my logic, understanding and relationship with the outdoors. Even today I still want to go outside and dance around with a stick, imagining I'm killing a dragon.

But of course I'm too old for this :/

Don't get me wrong though - I still imagine. Sometimes it's what gets me through a boring day at work, and sometimes it makes my outdoor time more interesting.

Answer 2

I think imaginative play for adults is mainly for stress release. It allows them to break away from their mundance lives and to be free and happy.

Kids play for a number of reasons. They play because it helps them to grow and learn. Notice that kids often play to prepare them for the future. For example, they will pretend to drive a car, they will pretend to cook, to have children, etc. So it's not only for fun with kids, they are actually mimicing their parents and preparing for future roles.

Answer 3

Keep you mind active. Did you know to imagine that you are healthy and well can actually work.

Answer 4

It creates new synapses and may help stave off Alzheimer's.

Answer 5

The same for kids.