Permission to Play: Why Fun Still Matters After 60

Play after 60 can look like anything from a round of Mahjong to a game of Wii Tennis - and the best reason to play is simply because it’s fun.

When was the last time you did something for absolutely no good reason?

Not because it was productive.
Not because it was good exercise.
Not because you needed to cross it off a list.

Just because it was fun.

Somewhere along the way, many of us get very good at being grown-ups. We work. We take care of people. We manage schedules and responsibilities. We make sensible decisions.

And without really noticing it, sometimes we stop playing.

When Did Fun Become Optional?

Think about how naturally children play.

They make up games. They laugh too loudly. They get competitive over things that don't matter. They try something simply because it looks interesting.

They don't stop to ask whether they're being productive.

Adults are a little different.

We can start treating our time as though everything we do needs a reason. Even activities we enjoy somehow need to be justified: It's good for my brain. It keeps me active. It gets me out of the house.

Those things are wonderful.

But here's another perfectly good reason:

Because you enjoy it.

That's enough.

Play Doesn't Have an Age Limit

Play may look different than it did when you were 10, but the feeling isn't all that different.

Maybe it's getting overly invested in a game of Mahjong.

Maybe it's discovering that you're surprisingly competitive at Bingo.

Maybe it's trying to remember an answer during trivia that you know you know.

Maybe it's picking up a Wii controller, watching a movie with a room full of people, making something with your hands, or laughing because whatever you just attempted went completely wrong.

Play gives us permission to be in the moment.

There doesn't have to be an outcome.

There doesn't have to be anything to show for it afterward.

You can simply have a good time.

And Yes, There Are Benefits

Of course, play can keep our minds engaged. Games can challenge us to think and problem-solve. Activities can keep us moving. Shared experiences can introduce us to people and deepen friendships.

Those are all great bonuses.

But maybe we don't always need to turn fun into something that's “good for us” before we allow ourselves to have it.

Joy has value all by itself.

A good laugh matters.

Looking forward to seeing who's going to win matters.

Having something in your week that makes you smile matters.

Sometimes an afternoon spent playing is simply an afternoon well spent.

Maybe It's Time to Play Again

So here's a question worth asking:

What did you used to do just because it was fun?

And maybe an even better one:

Why did you stop?

You don't need to recreate something from 30 years ago. Your version of play today might be completely different.

Try a game you've never played. See a movie. Take the silly class. Answer the trivia question. Pick up the controller. Make something without worrying whether it's any good.

At the Renaissance Center, you'll find plenty of opportunities to learn, connect and stay active.

But you'll also find something equally important:

Opportunities to simply have fun.

No justification required.

Frequently Asked Questions

 Am I too old to try something I've never done before?

Absolutely not. And you don't have to be good at something for it to be worth doing. Whether it's a new game, creative activity or something completely outside your comfort zone, the goal doesn't have to be mastery. Sometimes the whole point is simply enjoying the experience.

Is play really important for adults as we get older?
Yes. Play can keep us mentally engaged, encourage movement and create opportunities for laughter and connection. But it doesn't always need a bigger purpose - doing something simply because you enjoy it has value too.

What are some ways to add more fun and play to life after 60?
Play can be anything that makes you want to participate: card or board games, trivia, movies, creative activities, video games, music or friendly competition. The best kind of play is whatever feels fun to you.

Am I too old to try a game or activity I've never done before?
Absolutely not. You don't have to be good at something for it to be worth doing. The goal doesn't have to be mastery. Sometimes the whole point is simply enjoying the experience.