Is Grownup Life turning out to be a little hectic? Does it seem like one year is rolling into the next, leading you farther and farther away from the kid you used to be? Well, good news: Believe it or not, it’s possible to wind back the clock and reclaim some of that pure, unadulterated joy we all used to have when we were young. We call it “anti-adulting,” and here in York Durham Headwaters, we’ve got the best ways to connect with your inner child and reclaim some of your long-lost youthful vigour. Unleash your playful spirit in YDH, and create unforgettable memories that will rejuvenate your soul.
The importance of play
Did you know that play isn’t just for kids? Turns out that playing is just as important for adults as it is for children. It may not look the same as is it did when we were in the single digit birthday range… or maybe it does for you. Whatever type of activity you engage in, playing as an adult has many health benefits including boosting your creativity, improving your sense of humour, and helping you cope better with stress.
That’s why we think you should forget that you’re an adult for a while. Spend some time anti-adulting, and get silly with your play. Here are three of the best ways to do that.
Play in the snow
Why is it that kids never seem to get the winter blahs? It’s probably because they don’t consider snow a hindrance to quality play time. Outdoor activities are an all-weather thing for children, and there’s no reason it can’t be for us grownups, too. This winter, spend the day playing outdoors with one of these youthful activities:
- Go snow tubing – There’s no skill involved in plopping yourself onto a big inner tube and glide-bouncing your way down a snowy slope. Make sure to leave your adult sense of dignity behind, because no kid ever cares about what they look like getting in and out of an inner tube with snowpants and boots on. Visit The ROC in Georgina and Lakeridge Ski Resort in Uxbridge to get “tube-ular.”
- Climb a tree – How cool was it as a kid to grab a branch and start climbing? Maybe you’re not quite at that stage anymore—especially in winter. So you’ll be thrilled to know that Treetop Trekking in Stouffville is a treetop aerial course for all ages and all seasons. And now, Treetop Trekking is offering Uplå Aglow, where you can bounce on nets suspended amongst the trees, which are lit up like magic at nighttime.
- Go skiing or snowboarding – It’s those time-tested winter sports that many of us grew up on. Reintroduce yourself to the activities you learned to do as a kid at our favourite YDH ski hills like Hockley Valley Resort in Mono, Dagmar and Lakeridge Ski Resorts in Uxbridge, and Brimacombe in Orono.
- Hit the rink – Strap on a pair of good old-fashioned skates and feel a sense of ultimate freedom as you skate like no one is watching, just like you did when you were young. This year, make the trip to your favourite outdoor staking rink. Places like Newmarket Riverwalk Commons, Terra Cotta Conservation Area in Halton Hills, the Scugog Lakefront Skate and Market, and the Richmond Green Skate Trail in Richmond Hill are all eager to welcome both you and your inner child.
Cuddle a cute critter
There’s no denying that kids and critters simply go together. For those of us who love animals, we don’t mind admitting that we still turn into a big puddle of mush every time we see those adorable furry faces. Cuddle a critter this year and remember what it felt like to make that timeless and pure connection to another soul. Here’s where to get started:
- Go horseback riding – Horses are full of personality, and are generally known as gentle creatures. Let a horse carry you through gorgeous natural surroundings at Pathways on Pleasure Valley in Uxbridge as you enjoy the simple joys of times gone by.
- Get some scaly love – Just because their blood is cold doesn’t mean they can’t melt our hearts. Fascinate your inner child with a trip to Reptilia Zoo in Whitby or Vaughan. You may not be able to cuddle them, but these adorable creatures are waiting in their individual habitats to greet you.
- Pet an alpaca – There’s nothing like those impossibly long lashes and that soft fur to make you giggle like a kid. Get up close with the pack at Cold Springs Alpacas in Campbellcroft, and take a farm tour that will warm your soul.
Be an ultimate thrill-seeker
Ever notice how kids are downright awesome at letting go of their inhibitions and going for it? Let’s learn to let go of our fears, and be more like the kiddos by indulging in some gnarly thrills this winter—the ones which make you so excited that you can’t get to sleep the night before.
- Learn to fly like a superhero – It’s the ultimate childhood dream to blast off and fly through the air like the Powerpuff Girls or Toothless the Dragon. Now you can pretend to be your favourite flying cartoon character at iFLY Whitby’s indoor sky diving experience. Don’t worry, we won’t tell anyone what you’re really thinking.
- Test out some bike stunts – Remember how you used to cruise around the neighbourhood on your beloved bike and try out your best tricks far from home so that Mom and Dad wouldn’t see? Well, at Joyride 150 Indoor Bike Park in Markham, you’re actually allowed to try out new bike skills. Treat your inner child to the thrills of an indoor bike terrain designed to let you push yourself as far as you want to go with your best stunts.
- Hurl an axe – You know you’ve always wanted to. At Batl Axe Throwing in Vaughan and Pickering, you can try your hand at axe throwing—without getting into trouble with the grownups! Have a fun experience with friends hurling an axe at a wooden target, and forget for a moment about all that boring adulting you’ve got to do when you get home.
- Get splattered – We didn’t care about getting messy when we were kids, so let’s not care now that we’re officially grown up. Rediscover the joys of going wild with neon paint at the SplatterRoom in Oshawa. Have an epic, fun-filled experience of creativity and memory-making… and save worrying about the laundry for another day.
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