July 8th is National Be a Kid Again Day! So use this opportunity to recapture the wonder and joy of childhood. It is bound to be delightful to reconnect with a simpler, more joyful state of mind. Have you seen the movie ‘Big’ starring Tom Hanks? It is a family favorite along with Ferris Bueller’s Day Off Below I look at some ways we can tap into our inner child.

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How To Be A Kid Again

Here are some simple ways we can learn to be a kid again.. see which ones work best for you and do one or all of them (not all at the same time, of course!)

Embrace Playfulness

• Engage in Play: Play games, whether they’re board games, yard games, other childhood games, card games, video games, or outdoor sports. Let yourself get absorbed in the fun.
• Get Creative: Draw, paint, build something with LEGO (loving this cool three-in-one set), or engage in any creative activity that allows your imagination to run wild. Design a sidewalk chalk masterpiece like we attempted during the quarantine years (below).
• Role-playing: Remember those childhood summers when you played cops and robbers or other such games. Go play such games, or use your imagination to create new worlds, characters, and scenarios. This could be through storytelling, acting, or simply daydreaming
• Do the Simple Things: Ride a bike, play hide-and-seek, climb a tree, visit the playground and enjoy all the equipment there (the slide, swing, and more), jump in a puddle, build a pillow fort.

Rediscover Wonder

• Explore Nature: Go for walks, hikes, or spend time in a local park or zoo. Look at the world with curiosity, notice the details, and appreciate the beauty around you.
• Learn New Things: Children are constantly learning. Take up a new hobby, learn a new skill, or dive into a subject you know little about.

In general, cultivate a sense of wonder about the world around you. Be amazed by the stars, the complexity of nature, or the diversity of cultures

Live in the Moment

• Practice Mindfulness: Children often live in the moment. Practice mindfulness or meditation to help you focus on the present.
• Let Go of Worries: Try to let go of adult concerns and responsibilities, even if just for a short time. Allow yourself to experience the present without stress.
• Find Joy in Simple Things: Appreciate the small joys in life, like the taste of your favorite food, the feeling of sunshine on your skin, or the sound of laughter.
• Be Spontaneous: Children often act on impulse and live in the moment. Try to let go of rigid plans and routines occasionally and do something spontaneous and fun.

Cultivate Joy

• Laugh Often: Watch funny movies, read humorous books, or spend time with friends who make you laugh.
• Express Emotions Freely: Don’t hold back your emotions. Allow yourself to feel and express joy, excitement, and even sadness without judgment.
• Be Silly: Don’t be afraid to be goofy. Dance like no one’s watching, make funny faces, or tell jokes.

Connect with Others

• Spend Time with Children: Being around children can help you see the world through their eyes and remind you of the simplicity of childhood.
• Foster Friendships: Nurture friendships that encourage playfulness and joy. Surround yourself with people who bring out the best in you. Make new friends while reconnecting connections with old friends as well.
• Let Go of the Judgement: One of the easiest ways to strengthen connections with others is to approach them (friends and strangers alike) without any judgement or bias or prejudices. This includes ourselves.

Create a Childlike Environment

• Decorate Playfully: Add playful elements to your living space, such as bright colors, whimsical decorations, or items that remind you of your childhood.
• Watch Nostalgic Movies/Shows/Ads: Rewatch your favorite childhood movies or TV shows, even old ads! They can evoke feelings of nostalgia and happiness.
• Listen to music from you were younger
• Enjoy snacks, foods, and drinks from your childhood.
• Read Children’s Books: Revisit your favorite childhood stories or discover new ones.
• Revisit Childhood Memories: Look at old photos, visit places you loved as a child, or reconnect with childhood friends. This can help you remember what made you happy when you were younger.

Be Curious Like Children…

• Ask Questions: Cultivate a sense of curiosity about the world. Ask questions and seek answers with the wonder of a child.
• Experiment and Explore: Don’t be afraid to try new things and explore new places. Be open to new experiences and adventures.

Letting Go of Stress

• Take Breaks: Give yourself permission to take breaks and rest. Children often play hard but also know how to rest and recharge.
• Forgive and Forget: Let go of grudges and try to approach conflicts with a forgiving heart. Children are often quick to forgive and move on.
• Shift the Responsibility: If you are usually the one planning and taking responsibility for outings, trips, and etcs, handle the reins to someone else for a change and simply let go.

Recapturing the essence of childhood is about finding joy in the simple things, embracing curiosity, and allowing yourself to be playful and carefree.

Wise Words that Inspire One to Be a Kid Again

“The child is in me still and sometimes not so still.” — Fred Rogers

We didn’t realize we were making memories, we just knew we were having fun.” — Winnie the Pooh

“We carry our childhood with us.” — Gary D. Schmidt

“Children are not things to be molded, but are people to be unfolded.” – Jess Lair

“Children have neither past nor future; they enjoy the present, which very few of us do.” – Jean de La Bruyère

“It is a happy talent to know how to play.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Children see magic because they look for it.” – Christopher Moore

“A child’s world is fresh and new and beautiful, full of wonder and excitement.” – Rachel Carson

“A playful path is the shortest road to happiness” – Bernie DeKoven

“We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing” – George Bernard Shaw

“Be happy for no reason, like a child. If you are happy for a reason, you’re in trouble, because the reason can be taken from you.” – Deepak Chopra

“If we all could see the world through the eyes of a child, we would see the magic in everything.” – Chee Vai Tang

Related Reads and More on How to Be a Kid Again

Here are some more posts from earlier on my blog that will help you explore games and fun activities towards your goal to be a kid again, even if for a day or for some time!

• Board Games from Op: Venn & Hues and Cues: How They Challenge
• 10 Terrific Board Games for Book Lovers that are Perfect
• Words and Games that Challenge You and Books + More
• Magical Stories and Games, and The Story of One Hour
• C is for Carrom and for Card Games too..
• FunTime: Move Like Me 10 Days in the USA
• Virtual Activities to do for Fun + Learning and More
• Wacky and Wonderful: Celebrate Backwards Day with These Fun Tips!
• What is Fun? The Why and How Too

And Now, the End of This Post

Dear reader, what are your best ways to recapture your childhood and to be a kid again? Which of the listed ways do you enjoy/appeal to you?