When was the last time you did something purely for the joy of it?

Not because it was productive.
Not because it ticked something off your to-do list.
Not because it would benefit your career, your fitness or your family.

Just because it was FUN!

For many adults, that question is surprisingly difficult to answer.

Somewhere between work deadlines, family responsibilities, household chores and the endless demands of modern life, play often disappears. It becomes something we encourage in children but quietly leave behind ourselves.

But play is not something we outgrow. In fact, research increasingly suggests that play remains just as important in adulthood as it is in childhood.

After reflecting on our Big Summer Play Out, we were reminded just how powerful play can be when people are given the chance to step outside their usual routines, try something new and just enjoy themselves. The laughter, connection and sense of freedom we saw throughout each session were a brilliant reminder that play has a place at every age.

The Myth: Play Is Just for Children

We often view play as a childhood activity.

Children play to learn, explore and develop. Adults, on the other hand, are expected to be productive, responsible and efficient. Fun becomes something squeezed into the gaps, if there's any time left over.

But this way of thinking overlooks something important...

Play isn't simply a way to pass the time - it's a biological and psychological need.

Across cultures and throughout history, humans have played. We are wired for curiosity, creativity, exploration and connection. Play helps us adapt, learn, build relationships and regulate stress throughout our lives.

The problem is that many of us have been conditioned to see play as frivolous or unproductive. We tell ourselves we'll relax once the work is done.

The trouble is, the work is never done.

And perhaps one of the reasons this mindset is so persistent is that children are always watching what we do. They notice whether we make space for joy, whether we allow ourselves to be curious and whether we treat play as something valuable or something to be outgrown. If we want children to understand that play matters, it helps when they see the adults around them embracing it too.

What the Research Says

Researchers studying adult wellbeing have found that play can have significant benefits for both physical and mental health*.

Play has been linked to:

• Reduced stress and anxiety

• Improved mood and emotional wellbeing

• Increased creativity and problem-solving ability

• Stronger social connections

• Greater resilience

• Improved cognitive flexibility

• Enhanced overall life satisfaction

When we engage in playful activities, our brains release chemicals associated with pleasure, motivation and connection. We become more present, more engaged and often more able to cope with life's challenges.

Play also creates opportunities for what psychologists call "psychological flexibility" – our ability to adapt, respond creatively and manage uncertainty.

In a world that often feels increasingly stressful and fast-paced, those skills matter. A lot.

Nature: The Perfect Playground

When we think about 'play' for adults, we often imagine organised games or competitive sports. But play doesn't have to look like that. Some of the most powerful forms of adult play happen outdoors.

Exploring a woodland path you've never walked before.
Building a fire.
Trying a new craft.
Climbing a hill just to see the view.
Creating something with natural materials.

Nature invites a kind of playfulness that many adults rarely experience in everyday life. There are no scores and no deadlines. Just curiosity, exploration and the freedom to be fully present.

Research into time spent in nature consistently shows benefits for stress reduction, mental wellbeing, attention and emotional regulation. When play and nature come together, the effects are particularly powerful. It's why we do what we do here at OutLET!

Why Play Feels Uncomfortable for Adults

If you're reading this and thinking, "That sounds lovely, but I don't really know how to play anymore," you're not alone. Many adults find play surprisingly uncomfortable. 

We're often worried about looking silly.
We're concerned about being good at things.
We feel guilty taking time for ourselves.
We convince ourselves that we should be doing something more useful.

But play isn't about being good at something. It's about giving yourself permission to be curious; to try; to fail; to experiment and to explore.

In many ways, it's about reclaiming parts of ourselves that adulthood often asks us to put aside.

The Importance of Shared Experiences

One of the most overlooked benefits of play is connection. Many adults report feeling increasingly isolated despite being constantly connected online.

Play creates opportunities for genuine human connection. When people learn, explore and laugh together, barriers begin to disappear. Conversations flow more naturally, relationships deepen, and a sense of belonging develops.

This is one reason why group experiences in nature can be so powerful.

People leave feeling connected - not because they were forced to network or make conversation, but because they shared meaningful experiences together.

It is also one of the things that stood out so clearly during our Big Summer Play Out. Watching people of different ages and backgrounds join in, support one another and enjoy the moment reminded us that play can bring people together in a way that feels natural and inclusive.

An Invitation to Reconnect

The same things that help children and young people thrive - connection, curiosity, nature, creativity, challenge and belonging - don't suddenly stop being important when we grow up.

That's one of the reasons we were delighted to be able to expand our sessions for adults this summer - and why we can't wait to bring you more as the year continues.

These experiences aren't about escaping real life. They're about reconnecting with something essential that many of us have lost along the way.

A chance to step outdoors; to learn and create; to connect and laugh. And perhaps most importantly, a chance to remember that play isn't something we leave behind in childhood. It's something we carry with us throughout our lives.

Sometimes we just need a little help finding it again.

If you're feeling the pull to spend more time outdoors, connect with others and rediscover the joy of play, creating and exploring, we'd love to welcome you to one of our future sessions. Keep an eye on our socials for details!

*Research links:

'The well-being of playful adults: Adult playfulness, subjective well-being, physical wellbeing, and the pursuit of enjoyable activities' Proyer (2013)

'Can Playfulness be Stimulated? A Randomised Placebo-Controlled Online Playfulness Intervention Study on Effects on Trait Playfulness, Well-Being, and Depression' Proyer et al (2021)

'The Adult Playfulness Scale: An Initial Assessment' (Glynn & Webster, 1992)