I think we can all agree we grew up a little too fast. Going from no responsibilities to having to grocery shop and pay rent can be a bit of an unwelcome change. But it doesn’t have to be all bad. Being an adult certainly has its perks—the freedom to bake cookies and play video games past curfew, and the space to heal your inner child.
Without parents to boss us around and rules to hold us back, we can explore the things we wish we could have done more as children. That being said, let’s get into some of my favorite, fun ways to heal your inner child.
tips to start
Before you start, it can help to think about your own childhood. What did you enjoy as a kid? If you can, ask around—ask your parents or grandparents. You can also try looking at old photos.
Think about what you were known as a kid. Were you the artist of the family? Did you love making baked goods for your siblings?
fun ways to heal your inner child
Now that you’ve had time to think about your childhood, here are some of my favorite creative and fun ways to heal your inner child.
get artsy
Try painting again—maybe fingerpainting. Bonus points if you get messy. You could also try a painting class! In the picture above I went to a wine painting class with my brother and it was so fun.
Another fun artsy activity is coloring in coloring books. It can be so fun to do it the exact way you did as a child. For me, that looks like getting one of those old brown paper coloring books from Crayola and coloring in them with crayons.
Here are some of my favorite cozy hobbies that might help you tap into your childlike side and heal your inner child.
games & puzzles
Play games! Any games that remind you of your childhood are perfect. Mine are jigsaw puzzles, UNO, and Twister.
Video games from your past can be so fun too. Some of mine include Webkinz, Club Penguin, Spyro, and old Wii games.
break the rules
The best part about being an adult is breaking the rules. Most of us had a curfew and rules around food. Now that you’re an adult, you get to break these!
Have breakfast for dinner, dessert before your meal, play video games past 10 pm, go crazy!
explore the outdoors & heal your inner child
Go on a hike or a nature walk—but make it fun. Look at the ground, at the lichen and the mushrooms! Be excited and inquisitive about how magical nature is.
For a more suburban outdoor day, buy some bubbles and chalk. Draw some pretty pictures and have fun!
beach day trip
Speaking of spending the day outdoors, take a beach day trip! I don’t know about you, but day trips to the beach were essential to my childhood.
Spend the day building sand castles, boogie boarding, and collecting sea shells. Bonus points if you drive home super sandy.
movie night
I love a good movie night. The key is to make a whole event out of it. Get some yummy snacks, grab your stuffed animals, and set up a cozy, safe space in your home to watch your movie. You could even make a fort!
If you have a large, blank wall, it could be so fun to set up a projector. I can’t wait to buy one once I get my own place—I’m thinking of either getting this Samsung one or this one from NEBULA.
visit nostalgia
Nostalgia is so special. Sometimes it hurts too much for its own good, but it can be fun to visit. Think about some of your favorite things from your childhood and revisit them.
This can be your favorite childhood snack, meals, cartoons, movies, and books. I love to grab some double-stuffed Oreos from the store and watch old Disney movies.
have fun & heal your inner child
Most important of all, have fun! As you heal your inner child it may bring up some emotions, but this is okay. As they arise, there’s no need to fight them—just allow them to gracefully pass. The key to embracing your inner child is to look at life with an open mind and heart.
