Squiggly Careers Squiggly Shortcut: Small Ways to Make Play Part of Your Team Day
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Mar 26, 2026 Practical tips for adding short, optional play moments into team days without forcing fun. Ideas include music-based icebreakers, quick drawing exercises to surface memories and strengths, hands-on creative challenges like spaghetti towers, and safe improv to boost energy. Evidence for the impact of five-minute daily play on wellbeing is also highlighted.
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Design Low Pressure Play Not Forced Fun
- Design low-pressure, optional pockets of play rather than forced fun at work.
- Make activities optional, easy to join, and brief so sceptical or introverted team members feel safe to participate.
Play Is Linked To Learning And Lifelong Development
- Play and learning are linked and support development across the lifespan according to Stuart Brown and Linda Gratton.
- Framing parts of work as play increases enjoyment and ongoing development without making every day playful.
Use Secret Skills For Quick Team Reveal
- Run a secret skills activity where everyone shares a hidden talent to prompt stories and quick show-and-tell.
- Keep it short and warn people to expect a possible demonstration to avoid awkwardness.
