For example, don’t worry about how loud you are laughing. Just enjoy the feeling. If you start to worry about what other people might think, push these thoughts aside and focus instead on how good it feels to laugh, joke around, or play. Many of the activities you can do to feel more like a child will require you to let go of your inhibitions and worry less about what other people may think. This may be hard to do, but you can start out small. Watch comedy movies and television shows and laugh as much as you want.
When you catch yourself thinking negatively about another person, make yourself think of something nice instead. This might feel forced at first, but it will help retrain your brain to stop being judgmental and start being positive. Psychologists suggest that one of the best ways to reduce your judgmental attitude about other people is to start being nice to yourself since judgement comes from a place of insecurity. Make a list of your best personality and character traits. Read this out loud every morning, and you’ll notice that you have a better perspective on the world and the people around you.
While not every day can be unscheduled or open, try to avoid making lots of commitments for your days off. Plan activities with friends or family, but don’t set a specific time or precise schedule. For a brief time, allow yourself to let go of adult responsibilities. Laundry, bill paying, and cleaning won’t help you feel like a child again.
Giving yourself time to be bored provides you with the time to imagine, explore, and think about whatever you’d like. Most adults discourage themselves from daydreaming, but experts say daydreaming and a healthy imagination often lead to more productive and creative ideas.
Ride in the backseat of the car instead of driving. Let someone else decide what to eat for dinner. Instead of managing an activity or outing, just sit back and enjoy the day.
Stay up late on a work night. Eat dessert first. Watch a movie in the middle of the day.
For a more authentic and affordable experience, check out a book from the public library instead of ordering it online or shopping in a store. Re-create the times you stayed up late reading under the covers with a flashlight.
Don’t worry about heading to a specific destination. Most children just enjoy riding for the fun of it.
Dig out your old CDs, cassettes, 8-tracks, or vinyl to relive pleasure of music before the Internet. If you discarded all your old media, many Internet radio services already have playlists built around certain decades or years, so it shouldn’t be difficult to re-create the soundtrack of your childhood. Most children don’t have the inhibitions that adults do, so sing and dance the way you used to.
Popsicles or ice cream. Chicken nuggets. Pizza. Candy bars. A specific flavor of juice or fruit punch. Cotton candy. Animal crackers. Soda. Hot dogs. Grilled cheese sandwiches.
Fairs, the circus, or amusement parks. Mini-golf courses. Arcades. Go-kart tracks. Water parks. Zoos. Toy stores. Skating rinks. Playgrounds.
Remember, you’re probably bigger now than you were the last time you attempted this, and make sure you reach for sturdy branches. If you don’t care for heights, don’t despair. Try playing, reading, or enjoying a picnic below the tree.
If you work in an environment with a strict dress code, it might be best to save this activity for your day off.
If you’re feeling adventurous, try tackling the monkey bars. Much of this equipment is designed to hold the weight of children. Test it out carefully before using, because nothing makes you feel more like an adult than filling out emergency-room paperwork.
You don’t have to pick an elaborate craft or activity. Use modeling clay, a coloring book, or even paint by numbers for a simple but fun experience. Art projects make great rainy day activity.
Hopscotch. Four square. Tag or capture the flag. Dodgeball. Hide-and-seek. Jumping rope. Board games. Team sports.
Organize a slumber party. Play video games. Watch cartoons or animated movies. Play truth-or-dare. Make a pact that you won’t talk about work or adult responsibilities.
Try one of the activities discussed above. Instead of eating your lunch at your desk while doing work, try going on a picnic in the park. Recess time in school usually involves physical exercise outside so use shorter breaks to enjoy a quick walk around the block instead of waiting in line for coffee. You can also bring your drink with you.
To feel even more like a child, forgo the grown-up protein bar and pack a juice box, bag of animal crackers, or pudding cup.
Take a community education class, join a book group, attend a lecture, or pick up a new hobby. If it seems daunting to venture out on your own, encourage a friend or family member to go with you.
To take a trip down memory lane, pick one of your childhood favorites.
If you, your family, or your friends have children, try including them in the activities described above. You can also volunteer at a local school, church, or community organization such as the Boys and Girls Club. These organizations are often looking for adults to serve as role models or mentors, and the children you interact with can teach you how to feel more like a child again.
