Play Has Its Own Gravity

Play Has Its Own Gravity

What I’ve learnt from my 100 Days of Play #1: Play has its own gravity! There were a few days during my challenge where I felt like I’d had enough. Various people had suggested to me that play can’t be scheduled and that it has to be spontaneous. I...
Where Do You Go with Play?

Where Do You Go with Play?

A question I get asked fairly is often is – fun aside – what can you really do with play? They’re a variation on a theme, said in a way that implies it’s good and all “…but where do you go with play?” They’re asking:...
Five Favourite No-Equipment Games

Five Favourite No-Equipment Games

The most admired quality in ‘play people’ seems to be when they have a game for any occasion. I think everyone has this in them, however, and you rarely need anything special to hand to play. Here are five of my favourite activities to play with no extra...
Play is Failing, Safely

Play is Failing, Safely

I’ve written before about the notion that Play is in some way a simulation of more serious activities in the real world, but expressed discomfort with the notion that that makes it a ‘dry run’. For one thing, loss in a game does hurt; for another we...
Play is a Better Driver of Innovation

Play is a Better Driver of Innovation

I went to see Steven Johnson talk about his new book, Wonderland, all about how Play has spurred innovation throughout history. It was a fascinating talk, and like all the great ideas, once explained it felt obviously true. He shared just a few examples of the stories...