Childhood Games We Should Keep Playing
Why it’s important to jump rope, put together jigsaw puzzles and play outdoors
by Aimee Barat, September 13, 2016
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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.
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Michael Westhoff
Jigsaw Puzzles
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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.
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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.
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Istock
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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