Motherhood is full of responsibilities—keeping tiny humans alive, attempting to drink a hot cup of coffee, and figuring out whether today is the day you’re supposed to send in a themed snack for preschool.
With so much on our plates, play can feel like one of those things we’ll get to “when everything else is done.”
But here’s the truth—everything else is never really done.
And play? It’s not just something fun for our kids; it’s a powerful way for us to connect, recharge, and find joy in the everyday chaos.
When was the last time you truly played with your kids?
Not just watching them while folding laundry or planning dinner in your head, but really being all in—laughing, imagining, building, and connecting?
Mindful playtime is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to strengthen your bond with your kids.
Here’s the best part: it’s not about creating Pinterest-perfect activities or devoting hours to play.
Mindful playtime is about presence.
It’s about slowing down and meeting your kids where they are—even if just for a few minutes.
And when you let yourself get lost in their little world, you just might find it’s the most fun you’ve had all day!
Why Play Gets Overlooked in Motherhood
Motherhood is also a very serious job! We’re in charge of feeding, changing, mental stimulation, physical milestones, doctor’s appointments, play dates… The list goes on for ever.
Beyond these never-ending to-do lists, play often gets pushed aside because we, as adults, have forgotten how to do it.
Somewhere between childhood and motherhood, play was replaced by productivity.
We’re trained to measure our days by how much we accomplish, and play doesn’t come with a neat little box we can check off.
But here’s the thing—play isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity.
It’s the reset button for stressful days, the glue that strengthens our bond with our kids, and sometimes, the only thing standing between us and a full-scale meltdown (theirs or ours).
Why Mindful Playtime Matters
Life gets busy, and it’s easy to go on autopilot as we move from one task to the next.
But when we give our undivided attention to our kids, even in small moments, we’re showing them something powerful: You are worthy of my time and attention. You matter.
Mindful playtime strengthens your relationship, fosters trust, and helps kids feel seen and understood.
On top of that, it’s a beautiful reminder to slow down and savor the magic of childhood.
Studies even show that kids who experience consistent, connected playtime with their parents have better emotional regulation, higher self-esteem, and improved problem-solving skills.
And guess what? You benefit too. Being fully present is a great mindfulness practice for reducing stress and boosting your own joy.
The Benefits of Play in Motherhood
Play isn’t just for our kids—it’s for us too. When we make space for fun and laughter, a few amazing things happen:
- It lightens the mood—even on the hardest days. One silly moment can completely shift the energy in your home.
- It deepens your connection—kids feel safe, seen, and loved when we engage in their world.
- It brings us into the present moment—play forces us to let go of distractions and simply be with our kids.
- It boosts our own joy and well-being—laughter is basically therapy (but free!).
How to Reconnect with Your Playful Side
If you feel stuck in “serious mode,” start small.
Say yes to something playful—jump into a game of tag, build a fort, or just sit down and let your child lead the way.
It might feel a little awkward at first, but that’s okay.
Kids don’t care if you’re “good” at playing; they just want you.
Another easy way to tap into your playful side? Music!
One day, when my whole house was on the verge of meltdown mode, I cranked up Can’t Stop the Feeling and yelled, “Dance break!”
My kids looked at me like I had lost my mind… for all of three seconds.
Then they jumped in, twirling around like tiny backup dancers. By the end of the song, we were all breathless and laughing, and whatever had felt heavy five minutes earlier was suddenly a lot lighter.
Play doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes, it’s just about saying yes to a moment of joy.
AND it works for older kids!
When my oldest was struggling with math homework (and honestly, I was struggling, too!) I could tell that we weren’t going to make any progress by pushing forward when we were both at our wits end.
I said, “I think we should Dance It Out” (Thanks Grey’s!) and she looked at me with all of the annoyance that a pre-teen could muster.
I put on 2000’s Pop Hits, turned the volume ALL the way up (sorry, neighbors!) and grabbed my daughter’s hands.
We danced as fast and as much as we could through an entire song and by the end we were both laughing and screaming “WE CAN DO THIS MATH!” and “IT CAN’T BEAT US!”
I’m telling you, the wilder you get, the more permission it gives your kids to be all in on the moment, too!
And yes, with some help from Kahn Academy and YouTube, we did finish the math homework. All throughout middle school we used these Dance It Out moments to get through tough times!
How Play Helps Moms Heal & Reparent Themselves
Play has this sneaky way of bringing up old childhood memories—sometimes good, sometimes tough. If you find yourself feeling triggered during play, pause and ask yourself, Why is this hard for me?
For me, I grew up in an environment where things often felt serious, and I knew I had to be quiet and not make messes. So stepping into play as an adult was uncomfortable at first.
But then I realized—this was my chance to give my inner child the playfulness she never got to experience.
Every time I build a pillow fort or say yes to something silly, I’m not just giving my kids joy—I’m giving it to myself, too.
It’s also caused me to face my triggers and choose new ways to respond to my children.
Because of how I was raised, I’ve intentionally taught my kids that it’s okay to make messes, we just need to clean them up when we’re done.
We live by Ms Frizzle’s rules – Take Chances, Make Mistakes, Get Messy!
And yet, the first time my toddler spilled a whole container of glitter and said, “It’s okay to make messes!” I was instantly triggered.
I felt my temperature rising, my chest was contracting, and I was fighting the anger.
I kept thinking “She thinks this is okay?! Is she just going to dump glitter everywhere now? All the time?!”
It took a few good, long, deep breaths before I could appreciate that my child wasn’t terrified to make a mistake. She felt safe to try something new, fail, and clean up and try again.
And I love that for her! I intentionally created that enviornment for my children.
They are not afraid of a lot of the things that still paralyze me.
Giving our kids the freedom to be wild and creative is also an invitation for us to experience that same freedom. Who will we be when we let go and lean into our creativity?!
A Go-To Playful Activity (Even When You’re Exhausted)
If you’re too tired to do anything else, have a dance party.
No prep, no effort—just put on music and let everyone move however they want.
If dancing truly isn’t your thing (I am horrible at it, but I can jump around for 2 minutes!), you could get out some bubbles, sidewalk chalk, or something else like this, that requires little-to-no prep & clean up.
How to Make Playtime More Mindful
Mindful playtime doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. These simple strategies can help you be more present and connected:
1. Set a Time Frame and Commit
You don’t need hours of uninterrupted time. Even just 10–15 minutes of fully engaged play can make a big difference.
To help you stay present, set a timer.
Tell your kids, “For the next 15 minutes, I’m all yours. What should we do?”
Then let go of everything else on your mind and dive in!
Examples:
- Build the tallest block tower possible and knock it down together.
- Play hide-and-seek in the house.
- Go outside and play tag
- Have barefoot races through the grass
Pro Tip: Use a timer for yourself if you struggle with distraction. When the timer’s on, the phone stays off! My kids have fun choosing the alarm sound (99% of the time it’s Ducks quacking…)
2. Follow Their Lead and Say Yes
When kids get to take charge of playtime, they feel empowered and connected.
Let them decide what you’ll play, and instead of steering the game, follow along. The sillier, the better!
Examples:
- If they want to turn the couch into a pirate ship, climb aboard and prepare to defend it from imaginary sharks!
- Playing dolls or action figures? Let them guide the storyline—you might end up saving the world or hosting a tea party for superheroes.
- Pretend to be animals and crawl around the house together. Ask, “What sound does a baby tiger make?” and practice your best roar.
Pro Tip: Say yes more during playtime. If they want you to pretend to be a talking robot or a flying dragon, roll with it!
3. Embrace Imperfection and Be Silly
Playtime doesn’t have to be productive or “perfect.”
If you aren’t big on pretend play (I don’t really enjoy it myself) the good news is that toddlers are often VERY sure of themselves and will give you a full script and actions to complete.
You will do it wrong, but they’ll give you as many chances as they can before the timer goes off!
These are the moments your kids will remember—the laughter, the ridiculous made-up games, the times when Mom just played.
Examples:
- Have a “tickle monster” battle or pillow fight.
- Make up a goofy story together, taking turns adding to the plot.
- Draw funny faces on each other’s fingers and create mini puppet shows.
- Play a game of “the floor is lava” and jump between furniture to escape. (If you do screen time, this video by Danny Go is a really fun way to play Floor is Lava!)
Remember: It’s okay to be bad at this. The goal is connection, not perfection.
For the Mom Who Feels “Not Fun Enough”
Please, please, please don’t compare yourself to that mom on Instagram who built a full-blown cardboard castle complete with twinkling lights.
Your kids don’t need Pinterest-level activities—they just need you.
They’ll remember your silly voices, your made-up bedtime stories, and that one time you raced them to the car like a superhero.
Play isn’t about perfection. It’s about presence.
Mindful Play Outside the Box
Sometimes traditional play isn’t every parent’s favorite thing. That’s okay! You can still connect mindfully in ways that feel natural and are enjoyable for you.
Examples:
- Bake together—Let your kids help stir, pour, and get messy. Bonus points for tasting as you go.
- Garden or plant something—Digging in the dirt is fun for kids and grounding for you.
- Do a yoga session—Make it playful with animal poses. Ask, “Can you do your best frog jump?”
- Create a gratitude scavenger hunt—Look for things you’re thankful for in your home or outside.
Reflection: Your Turn to Play!
Today’s challenge: Spend at least 10 minutes in mindful play with your kids.
Follow their lead, embrace the silliness, and let yourself be fully present. Notice how it feels to set aside distractions and just be.
Want to share your mindful play experience? Post a pic on Instagram or Threads with the hashtag #AlignedAsAMother so we can celebrate your playful moments!
A Message for the Overwhelmed Mom
Take a deep breath. You’re not doing it wrong—it’s just hard sometimes.
Start with one small moment of joy today, even if it’s just sitting in the sun for five minutes or drinking your coffee while it’s actually hot.
And when you’re ready, find one playful moment with your kids.
Let yourself be with them, even if just for a few minutes. Those small, joyful moments? They’re the ones that will stay with you and them forever.
Once playful moment a day will easily grow into more and more. You’re on the way to a life you love!
And I’ll see you tomorrow for our next Mindfulness for Moms Series post.
xoxo, Angie
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