The Importance of Play

I recently visited the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, Washington. One of the Museum’s programs is Kids Design Glass. Children aged twelve and under are invited to submit designs for glass sculptures. Each month one or two is selected by the Museum of Glass Hot Shop team. They create two copies of each – one for the child designer and one for the Museum display.

Information at the display states that sometimes the children’s whimsical design stretch the talents of the Museum’s highly skilled glassblowing team. I was reminded that all art – visual, writing, music or performance art – is a combination of creativity and technique.

As adults, we study and hone our technique. This is important. But in the work of perfecting our craft we may sometimes forget to play. Play is an important part of the creative process. A sign at the Museum said, “Artists play, just like children.”

Hands on creative play is often dismissed as old-fashioned, but it is important to creativity and constructive problem-solving. We all need quiet, unstructured time to play and become inspired.

If you want creative workers, give them enough time to play. ∼John Cleese

The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play instinct. ∼Carl Jung

Serious play is not an oxymoron. It is the essence of innovation. ∼Michael Schrage

To stimulate creativity, one must develop the childlike inclination for play. ∼Albert Einstein

How do you play and foster creativity?