Observing friends with children and teens in their households, I am reminded of an old adage, but with a twist: for families with children of all ages, May is surely the new December! End of the year concerts, performances of all kinds, exhibitions, sporting events, and picnics. All good and all fun, and also a lot of things we are required to do. Ahh, but June is now upon us, and June is for play, right? Play is the opposite of all the things someone else tells us must be done, because play is only play if we choose it for ourselves. Play scholar & evolutionary psychologist Peter Gray reminds us that play is freely chosen, not assigned; is intrinsically motivated; is not random – we don’t always see intention, but it is there; is typically social; is creative and frequently imaginative; and is conducted in a non-stressed state. Non-stressed state of mind in tandem with a non-stressed body. That sounds like a rather apt antidote to the May-is-the-new-December busyness. 

Recently I asked some families visiting Gaffield Children’s Garden why they were making time to play. Here’s some of what I learned from them: 

“When we get outdoors to play, she finds her own interests, and goes for it!” 

“Creative expression and thought.”

“Unstructured outdoor play supports their curiosity and creativity.”

“Outdoor play helps regulate and build a healthy nervous system.”

“Our special family time is here (Gaffield Children’s Garden) or in the woods.”

Gaffield Children’s Garden “is the ‘big’ version of what we want for our kids in our own backyard.”

“Public access to third spaces is important.” 

“Families can access materials and spaces that they otherwise could not. It’s great for developing connections with Nature. 

“We meet friends here.”

“Access is important. Public funding for places like this (GCG).... amplifies essential access.”

“Play is how children develop their most secure emotional self.” 

Serendipity in Gaffield Children’s Garden led me to an energizing conversation with Sara Khan, CEO/Founder of Go Grow Playrooms. “When my children are outdoors, I see a completely different version of them. They become more curious, creative, collaborative, and confident. The conflicts seem smaller, their attention spans grow longer, and they naturally create games, stories, and adventures together. Outdoor play gives children something that is becoming increasingly rare in modern childhood: the opportunity to be fully present.” Khan, an active child & play advocate, as well as frequent visitor with her children to Gaffield Children’s Gardens, emphasized. “Play is the foundation of childhood. Through play, children learn how to solve problems, regulate emotions, build relationships, take healthy risks, and make sense of the world around them. As both a parent and the founder of Go Grow, I’ve seen firsthand that children don’t need more screens or more structured programming. They need time, space, and freedom to play.” 

Regardless of one’s age, perhaps with the start of June, there’s an opportunity to look gently ahead, to make space for all the good things outdoor play affords us all. We hope one of your own play intentions will include MBGNA’s 3rd annual BIG PLAY DAY at Nichols Arboretum on Saturday, June 27, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM. As one way to celebrate International Day of Play, MBGNA will be partnering with aligned Washtenaw based community organizations and units from across UM to celebrate and activate all kinds of childhood outdoor play. Why? Because play is joy, play is survival, play is how we figure things out, play is health. Ahhh, it’s June; whatever your outdoor play looks like, couldn’t we all benefit from some Nature Play?