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Your dream class usually starts with a giggle. A student makes a silly move, you join in, and before long, the whole room is caught up in shared laughter. In that moment, the roles of "grown-up" and "kids" fade away, replaced by something far more powerful — connection.
The challenge is, this kind of bond doesn't come from a single game or one-off event. It needs to be nurtured, designed, and woven into the rhythm of school life. At The School of Play, we embed these experiences into our curricula so moments of play and connection become everyday habits. The games you'll find below are part of that bigger picture to make bridging generations feel natural and joyful.
This week, we're exploring how intergenerational play, through movement and storytelling games, can break down barriers and spark understanding across ages. Let's see what's possible when play is built to be inclusive and lasting!
Episode #62 | Paul Campbell - 365 Days of Play: Bringing Wellbeing Home and to School
Last week on the Positive Education Podcast, Paul shared the heart of what we do at The School of Play. If you’ve ever wondered how play transforms classrooms, staffrooms, and even homes, this episode is a must-listen.
Paul dives into why connection has to come before learning, how play “tricks” us into building wellbeing without it feeling forced, and how our book 365 Days of Play makes it easy for families and schools to weave wellbeing into daily life.
The results speak for themselves. Independent research showed a 90% increase in energy, a 34% boost in wellbeing, and improved confidence and connectedness when play is part of the routine.
You can listen to the full episode here!
Daily Mission Cards
One of the biggest challenges in intergenerational play is making sure everyone feels included. For adults, physical or cognitive barriers can make fast-paced activities tough. For children, slowing down can feel boring.
The sweet spot? Simple, adaptable games that meet both groups where they are.
This week’s Daily Mission Card is all about co-designing movement that works for everyone. Sometimes that means picking up the simplest of tools, like pebbles.
Here are two quick, adaptable games you can try:
- Pebble Balance Relay
Balance a pebble on your nose while weaving through chairs or cones. Fastest player to the finish line without dropping their pebble wins! Perfect for a classroom or family setting. - Pebble Toss Stories
Set a small target (like a bucket, hoop, or chalk-drawn circle). Each player tosses their pebble toward the target. Before throwing, they share a one-line memory or fun, personal fact. Everyone listens, laughs, and learn as they play. It’s lighthearted and a natural way to build storytelling into movement.
Grab your Creative Play & Movement Mission Cards to discover more inclusive activities that spark big moments of joy across generations!
Up down stay off the ground
Planning playful activities can be tricky. Sometimes, games are either just a quick distraction or too complex to engage everyone equally.
This is one of our top-rated story-based fitness games, and for good reason. You don’t just sit back and listen. Every time certain words are read out, you need to complete actions (squat, plank position, frog jump left, frog jump right)!
Without spoiling it all, here’s a little teaser: "I woke UP this morning with a great feeling, I knew it was time to roll RIGHT out of bed and get DOWN to my favourite song in the shower. Once I LEFT the shower, I skipped RIGHT around the whole house getting ready..."
Want to bring this story into your sessions? Sign up to download the full game PDF here!
Daniel Inman – Building Connections Through Positive Play
The gap between generations feels bigger than it really is. Kids think adults won’t “get them,” and adults assume kids don’t want to connect. Left unchecked, that quiet distance can turn into isolation.
Daniel Inman has spent more than 15 years proving that play is one of the most effective ways to close that gap. In his session, he shares how playful activities in 1-on-1 and small group settings spark quick trust and meaningful relationships across ages.
What I love most is how accessible his approach is. You only need the willingness to lean into play. By the end, you’ll walk away with simple, practical strategies you can use straight away to help kids and adults feel seen, heard, and connected.
Check out Daniel’s talk and explore how play can turn isolation into belonging!
Emerging Leaders in Action
We had the absolute pleasure of leading the Year 11 Leadership Day for The Ecumenical Schools at the Melbourne Convention Centre, and wow, what a day!
280 emerging leaders from 19 different schools, all coming together to play and grow. Through games, trust-building challenges, and moments of shared reflection, these young people connected across schools, discovered their own voices, and supported one another in ways that were truly inspiring.
What stood out most? The way they showed us that leadership is built on trust and relationships is something this next generation is ready to live out.
Join us on this global journey of joy and connection! If you want to bring The School of Play to your community, fill out the form here ➡
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