I haven’t mentioned it in awhile, but man-go-round and I are about a third of the way into our 2012 “Project,” in which we are tackling 12 different areas of life and trying to do at least 20 activities for each before the year is up. Some of them are easy (trying 20 different foods/ restaurants? please)…and some are a bit tougher (spirituality, yikes… we’ve got work to do)…and some of them are, well, fun!

Like “play.”

Tonight after work man-go-round and I let loose and tried out the $2 badminton set I bought at Target last night. In the living room. After 5 or 10 minutes of shuttlecocks flying and under the leg serving and spiking, I was totally refreshed and energized after a long day at work.

So here’s a list of ways to get going on your inner playmate (no, not the naked kind).

Fun Ways for Grown-ups to Play:

1. Play a round of tennis, volleyball, or go bowling (or do indoor badminton, like we did)
2. Have an impromptu dance party. Crank up the funk music, get up on a table, and pretend you’re in an Austin Powers movie go-go cage. Wheee endorphins!
3. Have a laundry fight (hint: mens athletic socks make perfect grenades when rolled up)
4. Play a drinking game (Never have I ever still surprised us both after more than 5 years together, and Mad Men episodes are rife with shot taking opportunities, but why not invent your own?)
5. Go swimming. Whether it be pool, beach, or bathtub… it will bring out your inner Ariel!
6. Do a craft/ hobby you’re both new to or horrible at (pottery, painting, cooking, etc) and appreciate each others crap.
7. Go to a karaoke bar and serenade each other. Or if you’re faint of heart, try the wii version.
8. Race down the block/ arm wrestle each other/ play rock paper scissors for dish duty or to choose who gets to pick the movie.
9. Go to a local playground and bring a picnic of Fanta, pop rocks, cotton candy, or fruit snacks. The best part is the swings, if your hips can still handle it!
10. Get out into the great outdoors (or your backyard), spread out a blanket, and gaze at the cloud formations or at the stars. Ignore the worries about ants crawling up your pants or dogs pee in the grass, and enjoy your second childhood.

What are your favorite ways to play or be silly?

Meri