This kind of conversation can touch on all sorts of things:
- What play means to each of you
- Where your ideas and attitudes about fun came from
- Your personal (and your partner’s) play styles
- What kinds of experiences you’d like to incorporate more often
- How to budget time and money for playful experiences
- How to build playfulness into your personalities and routines
- What you love—and what you don’t want anymore
These kinds of conversations can be eye-opening, energizing, and even healing. You might want to think about some of these prompts ahead of time—or just dive in together and see where the conversation goes. Either way, enjoy it! Keep it light and fun, and use this moment of intentionality as the first step toward a more playful and connected family culture.
You don’t need all the answers in one conversation. Just opening up this topic creates a foundation for more joy, curiosity, and connection. So have fun with the conversation—and even more fun with the playful life you’re building together.
Prompts to Spark Your Conversation
(Use these prompts to explore how each of you experiences fun and play—and how you’d like to bring more of it into your life together.)
- What does play mean to you?
(First reaction—curious, silly, skeptical?) - What does playfulness look like in our home now? What would you like more of?
(Zoom in on real-life moments.) - What kind of play feels natural for you? What stretches you?
(Think cozy, silly, active, creative…) - How did your family play growing up?
(Messages, traditions, or missing pieces?) - What’s something playful you wish we did more often?
(Small, spontaneous, or everyday fun.) - What’s your favorite playful memory from the past few years?
(Good reminders of what works.) - How do you like to play when you’re stressed or low-energy?
(Fun as fuel or reset.) - What do you need in order to feel safe being silly?
(Permission, time, mood?) - What are a few ways we could add playfulness to errands or chores?
(Music, games, little twists.) - How could we make Shabbos prep or the table more fun?
(Songs, themes, rotating roles…) - What could make long Shabbos afternoons more playful or relaxed?
(Think cozy games, storytelling, mini adventures.) - What playful habits or traditions could we try as a family?
(Keep it light, repeatable, and meaningful.) - What doesn’t feel fun right now that you’d like to shift or drop?
(Could be tone, pressure, routines.) - Is there something playful you’d like to try that I’m not into (yet)?
(Let’s talk why—and what’s possible.) - What kinds of play feel like a “no” for you?
(Boundaries help keep fun safe.) - How can we carve out time and budget for play?
(Time, energy, and money all count.) - What role does spontaneity play in your idea of fun?
(Do you like surprise or a little warning?) - What does shared fun look like to you?
(A vibe? A mood? A specific kind of connection?) - How does playfulness help us stay connected?
(Beyond just “fun”—what does it do for us?) - What’s something you’ve always wanted to try together?
(Big or small—what excites you?)
