Skip to content
 

Childhood Games We Should Keep Playing

Why it’s important to jump rope, put together jigsaw puzzles and play outdoors

  • Childhood games
    Blend Images - Hill Street Studios

    Never Too Old for Recess

    En Español | "A child who doesn’t play is not a child, but a man who doesn’t play has lost forever the child who lived within him and whom he will miss terribly," said the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. In fact, many studies indicate that playing isn’t just an enjoyable activity but also a good strategy to stay healthy. Internist Luis Andux, of Wellmax Medical Centers in Florida, says many of his older patients would enjoy better physical and mental health if they had never stopped playing like children. Check out this list of games you can enjoy at any age. But make sure to consult with your doctor before starting any exercise program — even if it’s a children’s game.

    1 of 10
  • Why Keep Playing Those Childhood Games?
    Michael Westhoff

    Jigsaw Puzzles

    Sign up for the AARP Health Newsletter to live life to the fullest with tips, tools and news on healthy living.

    Join AARP
    today and save on health and wellness products and services

    2 of 10
  • BBGW0K
    Juice Images / Alamy

    Chess

    En Español | "A child who doesn’t play is not a child, but a man who doesn’t play has lost forever the child who lived within him and whom he will miss terribly," said the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. In fact, many studies indicate that playing isn’t just an enjoyable activity but also a good strategy to stay healthy. Internist Luis Andux, of Wellmax Medical Centers in Florida, says many of his older patients would enjoy better physical and mental health if they had never stopped playing like children. Check out this list of games you can enjoy at any age. But make sure to consult with your doctor before starting any exercise program — even if it’s a children’s game.

    3 of 10
  • 128895066
    Peter Holmes

    Board Games

    En Español | "A child who doesn’t play is not a child, but a man who doesn’t play has lost forever the child who lived within him and whom he will miss terribly," said the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. In fact, many studies indicate that playing isn’t just an enjoyable activity but also a good strategy to stay healthy. Internist Luis Andux, of Wellmax Medical Centers in Florida, says many of his older patients would enjoy better physical and mental health if they had never stopped playing like children. Check out this list of games you can enjoy at any age. But make sure to consult with your doctor before starting any exercise program — even if it’s a children’s game.

    4 of 10
  • Healthy Living Tips and News
    Istock

    AARP Offer: Healthy Living Tips and News

    En Español | "A child who doesn’t play is not a child, but a man who doesn’t play has lost forever the child who lived within him and whom he will miss terribly," said the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. In fact, many studies indicate that playing isn’t just an enjoyable activity but also a good strategy to stay healthy. Internist Luis Andux, of Wellmax Medical Centers in Florida, says many of his older patients would enjoy better physical and mental health if they had never stopped playing like children. Check out this list of games you can enjoy at any age. But make sure to consult with your doctor before starting any exercise program — even if it’s a children’s game.

    5 of 10
  • 42-29020923
    Corbis

    Riddles

    En Español | "A child who doesn’t play is not a child, but a man who doesn’t play has lost forever the child who lived within him and whom he will miss terribly," said the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. In fact, many studies indicate that playing isn’t just an enjoyable activity but also a good strategy to stay healthy. Internist Luis Andux, of Wellmax Medical Centers in Florida, says many of his older patients would enjoy better physical and mental health if they had never stopped playing like children. Check out this list of games you can enjoy at any age. But make sure to consult with your doctor before starting any exercise program — even if it’s a children’s game.

    6 of 10
  • 80283880
    Hill Street Studios

    Blindman’s Buff

    En Español | "A child who doesn’t play is not a child, but a man who doesn’t play has lost forever the child who lived within him and whom he will miss terribly," said the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. In fact, many studies indicate that playing isn’t just an enjoyable activity but also a good strategy to stay healthy. Internist Luis Andux, of Wellmax Medical Centers in Florida, says many of his older patients would enjoy better physical and mental health if they had never stopped playing like children. Check out this list of games you can enjoy at any age. But make sure to consult with your doctor before starting any exercise program — even if it’s a children’s game.

    7 of 10
  • A9TDT2
    Rodolfo Arpia / Alamy

    Jump Rope

    En Español | "A child who doesn’t play is not a child, but a man who doesn’t play has lost forever the child who lived within him and whom he will miss terribly," said the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. In fact, many studies indicate that playing isn’t just an enjoyable activity but also a good strategy to stay healthy. Internist Luis Andux, of Wellmax Medical Centers in Florida, says many of his older patients would enjoy better physical and mental health if they had never stopped playing like children. Check out this list of games you can enjoy at any age. But make sure to consult with your doctor before starting any exercise program — even if it’s a children’s game.

    8 of 10
  • DGK8GA
    Image Source / Alamy

    Outdoor Games

    En Español | "A child who doesn’t play is not a child, but a man who doesn’t play has lost forever the child who lived within him and whom he will miss terribly," said the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. In fact, many studies indicate that playing isn’t just an enjoyable activity but also a good strategy to stay healthy. Internist Luis Andux, of Wellmax Medical Centers in Florida, says many of his older patients would enjoy better physical and mental health if they had never stopped playing like children. Check out this list of games you can enjoy at any age. But make sure to consult with your doctor before starting any exercise program — even if it’s a children’s game.

    9 of 10
  • A group of women standing together on the beach

    You May Also Like

    En Español | "A child who doesn’t play is not a child, but a man who doesn’t play has lost forever the child who lived within him and whom he will miss terribly," said the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. In fact, many studies indicate that playing isn’t just an enjoyable activity but also a good strategy to stay healthy. Internist Luis Andux, of Wellmax Medical Centers in Florida, says many of his older patients would enjoy better physical and mental health if they had never stopped playing like children. Check out this list of games you can enjoy at any age. But make sure to consult with your doctor before starting any exercise program — even if it’s a children’s game.

    10 of 10