How to Have Fun and Be More Childlike: 13 Delightful Tips

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“I know it is wet and the sun is not sunny, but we can have lots of good fun that is funny.” Dr. Seuss

The world is our playground. Young children know this. They don't have to be reminded to let go or lighten up. They love to be silly, laugh loud and monkey around. 

Would you like to be more child like? Would you be willing to work less and play more? How would your life be different if you increased your capacity for curiosity, wonder and fun?

Most adults tend to take life too seriously. We put too much focus on work, achievement and success. Consequently, our minds are filled with unnecessary worry, fear and stress. Our lives are unbalanced.

It doesn’t have to be this way. Fun isn’t an activity to be saved for weekends, special people and occasions. 

Fun is an attitude. Fun is an option. Fun is a decision. If life has become routine for you, if your days lack laughter and joy, it’s time to increase your delight, joy. Life can be light and easy. It’s never too late to change. 

How To Be More Child Like

1. Be present. Children live in the moment. They aren’t concerned with the pain of the past or fear of the future. Forget about the economy, abandon crazy deadlines or unsolvable problems. Be content with life now. 

2. Give yourself a permission slip to visit the zoo, an amusement park or a country fair. Note the fur on the animals, the bright colors of balloons and the charge of excitement that fills the air.

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3. Create. Imagine. Invent. Draw. Paint. Get messy. Build. Bake. Write. Plant. Share. Repeat. 

4. Accept your imperfections. Kids find joy in their missing teeth. They love to show you their pudgy bellies. They don’t notice if their hair is cut too short. 

5. Smile and laugh more often. Think about the noise level on a playground. It’s loud and joyful. It’s one of the most beautiful sounds in the world. Smile at everyone you pass by today. Laugh loud and laugh often.

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6. Spend time in nature. Disengage from electronics. Engage your senses. Sweat. Get dirty. Climb a tree or a mountain. Sleep under the stars. Gain a new perspective. 

7. Take a risk. Children love to run faster, swing higher and wear mismatched clothes. They love to push the limits. 
Be more fearless. Go where you fear to go. Take a chance. Try something new.

8. Play. Play board games. Play in a park. Play with the neighbors. Join a team. Don’t quit until you're exhausted or it’s dark outside.

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9. Wonder. Wonder how many licks it takes to finish an ice cream cone. Wonder what it’s like to camp at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Wonder what the world will be like in 10 years. 

10. Feed a giraffe. Stop taking life so seriously. Work less. Fill your calendar with at least one play date a week. Don’t let tough times get you down. Henri asked the zoo keeper, "Why are their tongues so long?" Answer, "Giraffes don't have arms, they need long tongues to eat their food."  

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11. Turn up the tunes. Sing along. When my grandson was three he knew every word to Taylor Swift’s song, “We Are Never Getting Back Together.” My daughter loves to sing in the car. He sings along.

12. Nap. After you tire yourself out…give yourself short breaks. Relax. Breathe. Sleep. Enjoy. 

13. Reward yourself. Celebrate what you get right. Kids love treats. Reward yourself. Allow yourself pleasure. Enjoy it!

Stop making excuses. Stop working so hard. Begin to be more childlike. Start now. If you live near the Phoenix area and have time to play, let me know:) Remember. Fun is an attitude. Fun is an option. Fun is a decision.

Are you willing to incorporate more fun into your life? Share a play date you will commit to this week.

Comments on this entry are closed.

  • Sebastian Aiden Daniels May 19, 2013, 3:36 pm

    I will commit to going surfing this week since I haven’t gone in a while : D.

  • Tess May 19, 2013, 3:58 pm

    Sebastian,
    Have a blast! Stay inspired.

  • Cathy Taughinbaugh May 19, 2013, 10:44 pm

    I was just saying to my husband that we should go to the zoo. I haven’t been in years. Trying to be more childlike is the key to keeping our youth. Thanks for the reminder to go and play. One of these days I’ll connect with you in Phoenix! Take care and thanks for the needed reminder, Tess.

    • Tess May 20, 2013, 7:38 am

      Cathy,
      I love the San Diego Zoo. We’ve got a big campaign going on to become world class like yours. I’m helping move it forward! We have had a membership for a couple of years now. Love it!

  • Fran Sorin May 20, 2013, 2:20 am

    Tess-
    All great ideas. One of the ‘funnest’ things to do is to guffaw/make a raucous/ and laugh until you cry~

  • Selfonomy May 20, 2013, 10:19 am

    I like the 3rd tip Create. Imagine. Invent. and 7th Take a Risk. Inspires to be a child again and do the things with heart šŸ™‚

    • Tess May 20, 2013, 11:22 am

      Hi,
      Those all go together, don’t they? I hope you invent something awesome today. Thanks for sharing your desires.

  • Elle May 20, 2013, 6:01 pm

    What a great reminder Tess. Looks like you had fun too.

    Like the idea of fun being a decision. Now I’m off to make one!

    Love Elle
    xoxo

  • Tess May 20, 2013, 6:21 pm

    Hi Elle,
    Sure is! Think of all the times we choose to change our mood and make things fun. Or we choose to take a computer break and do something fun. Fun…I love it:) And you.xo

  • Mantha May 20, 2013, 9:21 pm

    I commit to spending time turning small bird houses into fairy houses for our garden. Paint and glitter. Yay!

  • Yvonne @ StoneGable May 21, 2013, 1:45 am

    Oh my goodness, what a great post… filled with such wonderful advice! I’m printing this out!

  • Susan May 21, 2013, 10:47 am

    Thanks Tess. I find it so easy to forget to have fun. I haven’t been to the Zoo for years, not at all since I moved to the Big Island and we have a beautiful white tiger called Namaste. I think it is time for a visit.

    I like the idea of making fairy houses too. I made some a few years ago and I bet it is time to remodel them and maybe even add some glitter.

    I just came home from the hospital with a new knee so having fun is a very timely reminder.

    • Tess May 23, 2013, 11:32 am

      Hi,
      I love the thought of fairy houses. I hope your new knew works wonders and you make it to the zoo soon! It’s great fun for the kid in all of us;)

  • Galen Pearl May 21, 2013, 1:06 pm

    I’ll be playing with my 20 month old grandson this afternoon–a fun play date for sure! Fun activities on recent play dates: trying to catch a leaf that the breeze keeps blowing just out of reach, throwing gravel at the fence, seeing how many kinds of boxes you can wear on your head. I was not a very playful mom, so I’m glad I’m having this chance to do it again and do it differently this time.

    • Tess May 23, 2013, 11:31 am

      Galen,
      Grandchildren are the bessssttttttt! Enjoy:))

  • Jeffrey Willius May 21, 2013, 1:48 pm

    Wonderful post, Tess! I’m so glad you included Nature and wonder in your list! Even if someone found your other tips hard to carry out, Nature can show the way.

    • Tess May 23, 2013, 11:30 am

      Jeffrey,
      I LOVE nature. Grew up on a big farm. It’s sooooo healing. I’m outside everyday running, walking, swimming…something. Thanks for stopping by.

  • Halina Goldstein May 23, 2013, 9:47 pm

    Children go in and out of fun and play even in the most difficult times imaginable. I found that when I saw how my late brother’s children went in and out of play right after their beloved father died.

    The thing with us adults is that we tend to think that we should be either sad or happy, when in reality many times we’re both.

    Grief, loss, fear and any other profoundly challenging state tend to take a long time to move through – and we tend to overlook how there are glimpses of inner joy and fun in between. It’s all about grabbing these sweet moments as they arise and enjoying them while they last. It’s healthy and it’s healing!

    Thank you for sharing some delightful ideas on how to do it, Tess and fellow commentors!

    • Tess May 24, 2013, 9:53 am

      Thanks for the pure Wisdom you offer in one comment. So true…every bit of it!

  • Anne-Sophie May 24, 2013, 1:40 am

    I have a client who is finding joy being around her granddaughter. She’s reliving her childhood and feels happier than ever before. There’s so much wisdom, joy and happiness in being childlike and the more we embrace it the more quality of life we’ll have. Fantastic tips, Tess.

    • Tess May 24, 2013, 9:52 am

      Anne-Sophie,
      Grandkids bring so much joy with them…I’ll bet she’s having the time of her life.

  • Michelle Andres May 24, 2013, 10:04 am

    What a great reminder. Life is so free when we take your tips to heart. THANKS!!!

  • Kristy M Lopez May 24, 2013, 11:02 am

    These are great tips! Having 5 kids, most would think that Iā€™d be more childlike, but that couldnā€™t be farther from the truth. I like organization, schedules and plans. But, I have noticed that when I go off the ā€˜scheduleā€™ I usually have more fun. As my kids get older I am able to do more things with them that both they and I enjoy. Iā€™m trying to get in touch with my inner-kid-self again.

  • Dan May 25, 2013, 3:24 am

    I would add a trip to Thailand or Vietnam to this list. Sometimes connecting with the child within is about letting go of all cultural constraints and exposing yourself to a lawless world

  • karen crossett May 25, 2013, 3:31 pm

    Children can renew that wonderful excitement of experiencing life. I love spending time with my grandchildren. Life can get too serious. We need just to enjoy it.

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