Playful: How Play Shifts Our Thinking, Inspires Connection, and Sparks Creativity

Designer, educator, and play expert Cas Holman argues that adults should incorporate more fun, exploration, and imagination into their daily lives. While humans are born playful, adulthood often teaches us to suppress this instinct in favor of productivity and task completion. Holman explains that disconnecting from our playful nature harms emotional wellbeing, problem-solving ability, and innovation. According to emerging research on play, engaging in playful activities sparks joy, wonder, creativity, and insight at any age. Holman focuses on "free play"—open-ended, unstructured activities pursued without obvious goals or purpose. What recharges us varies individually, whether through creating art, having engaging conversations, or experimenting with routine tasks. Drawing on psychology, history, art, and design thinking, Holman demonstrates how adopting a playful mindset can help adults overcome fear of failure, manage stress, strengthen connections with others, develop creativity throughout life, and find joy during difficult times. The book presents inspiring stories and research to make the case for play's importance in a productivity-focused world.