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Being an adult can be tough. I remember most of my twenties being (or trying to be) very grown-up and adult like. I didn’t partake in a lot of silly time or playful activities. In my thirties, I became a father and it was finally socially acceptable for me to ride the slide at the playground. I do love a good ride down a slide.
The best are those big huge slides at the fair where you sit on a burlap sack and swoosh down the slide and skitter off the end onto the green outdoor carpet, where you come to a very ungraceful halt. Tied for first is the big inflatable bouncy slide, also ridden on a slippery mat.
Second to that are big twisty slides. It’s hard to find a good twisty slide… well, hard to find a good adult sized twisty slide, the kids seem to do fine on most of them. The problem for adults on most twisty slides is the twists are too narrow, and I end up pushing and scooting instead of sliding. Every once in a while though, I come across a twisty slide that has a good size and slope, such that kids and adults can slide. Those slides are magical. Third on my slide list are just the standard straight slides. I like the ones that have enough slope that I fly right off the end (hopefully landing on my feet, but sometimes landing on my rear.)
Disney’s Animal Kingdom has some good twisty slides…
I’ve visited a lot of playgrounds in the 4 years since my daughter’s birth. One thing perplexes me is that I don’t see many other adults partaking in the jungle gym activities. The monkey bars, tube tunnels, rope bridges, fireman’s poles, and of course the slides, are all there for the playing. Yet it’s mostly just the kids playing, with the adults plopped down on a nearby bench. Maybe the parents are appreciating some down time, while their kids burn off energy. I’m sure that’s the case for some, and that’s me sometimes too. But other times, I like to jump in and play along with my daughter.
I can’t monkey bar like I used to, but I sure can slide, and cross the rope bridges, and even squeeze through some tunnels. Oh, and remember those things mounted on top of a spring that bounce to and fro? Yeah those were awesome to ride as a child, and every once in a while you can find an adult sized one.
Yeah, I have proof…
It’s good to let go and be silly once in a while. We sometimes lose grasp of that as adults. Next time you find yourself near a playground, go ahead and have a go at the slide and maybe a turn on the swings.
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
The problem with being adult is that we have forgotten the magic that we believe during our childhood. We have stifled our world to the limitation of our inherited beliefs. As a child, we see the possibility in everything. I wonder where did that go when we grow up?
Walter, I wonder that also. The magic seems to get lost in the business and seriousness of adult life. It’s good to get out of the adult mindset and have some fun.
Eric,
This is too cool. I appreciate the personal side.
I fall into the ‘play with the kids wherever’ category. I horse around at the parks, around the house, outside and everywhere else I can be a kid with my kids. I think it is important to play with your kids on their level. Especially with me being somewhat of a strict disciplinarian – it’s good to show my kids that you have a playful side.
I’m very private when it comes to my family so you’ll probably never see any home videos popping up on my site but I appreciate you letting us in.
Classic!
S. Ali Myers – Soulful Body & Mind´s last [type] ..You Know Too Much- Thats Why Youre Stupid!
Come on Ali, even if you leave the family out of it, we need a video of you riding one of those bouncy springy things. I loved those things as a kid, I never thought I’d find an adult sized one. It was an awesome ride.
HAHAHA! Isn’t it great, having fun with your kids? And then they become teenagers and try to DIE when you cut up with them in public?
Yes…. I admit it… that’s even more fun.
Krissa´s last [type] ..Are you effin’ kidding me
Yes Krissa, it is great! For now I’m going to assume that she’ll always like it when I cut up in public. We’ll see how well that assumption holds.
Hi Eric,
Yes, being childish is a wonderful thing! It allow us to share time with our children in their world; it allow us to connect with them and even though at their childhood it might seem silly from our part, when they grow up the connection remains.
I myself have spent lots of time playing with my son: when he was a baby, a four years old child and we sang together and laugh because we both are terrible at singing, etc.
Thanks for bringing up those beautiful memories
Raul
Alien Ghost´s last [type] ..Five Cents of Happiness
Raul, my singing must be real bad, my daughter tells me to stop singing every time I start. We do have a good time playing and laughing together. I’m glad I could stir up some memories.
It is nice to have our kids remind us about the importance of fun and play! They sure can teach us a lot! You looked like you had been having a lot of fun!! Lovely photos and video shoot!
Evelyn Lim´s last [type] ..Inspirational Story- Song of the Little Bird
Evelyn, we did have a great time. The day that video was filmed was a very cold day. We were bundled up in multiple layers, hats, and gloves just so we could get some playtime in. We’re warm weather people, so that was quite the adventure.
Oh, I love this Eric. Adorable photos. And I love to go to go to our neighborhood playground and swing on the swings (usually, I admit, under cover of darkness, after the kiddies are gone!). I even tell clients sometimes to go to a park and swing on the swings. Although they look at me like I’m a bit weird, they always come back smiling. It’s amazing how powerful something like that is, how it shifts our perspective about life and possibility almost instantly.
Patty @ Why Not Start Now?´s last [type] ..Meaning Mondays- August!
Yep, after dark is the secret time for adults to have free reign over the playground equipment. That’s awesome that you tell your clients to go play on the playground.
Eric,
This is neat, we got to see your inner child! I actually have done this with my kids and had a blast!
Preeti @ Heart and Mind´s last [type] ..No Spend Month Challenge- Update and Take away from the experiment
Excellent Preeti, I’m happy to see that you play along on the playground with your kids. It’s really so much fun!