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Play is for adults too

By Scott Chapman, founder · 5 November 2026 · 3 min read

Somewhere along the way, many of us learn that play is something children do. Adults have jobs, chores and appointments. Fun is what happens if there is time left over. But think about the things that make a week feel good: a card game after dinner, a crossword with a cuppa, a friendly rivalry over a quiz, a laugh with someone across the table. That is play. It belongs in an adult life as much as anything else.

Leisure is a right

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, says plainly: "Everyone has the right to rest and leisure." That is Article 24. Article 27 adds that everyone has the right to take part freely in the cultural life of the community.

For people with disability, the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities makes the same point in more detail. Its Article 30 covers recreation, leisure and sport, and we looked at it in An active life is a right, not an extra.

Neither document treats leisure as a reward to be earned. It is part of a full life, for everyone, at every age.

Time with other people

Play is rarely just about the game. It is a reason to sit down together, to talk, to tease and to share a win or a loss.

That matters, because loneliness is common. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reports that in 2024 an estimated 15 per cent of Australians aged 15 and over were experiencing loneliness, based on the HILDA survey. Among people aged 65 and over, the rate was also 15 per cent, down from 20 per cent in 2001. The AIHW notes that loneliness has been linked to poorer physical and mental health.

The AIHW is also clear that there is no one-size-fits-all answer. A game will not fix loneliness on its own. But regular, easy reasons to spend time with people you enjoy are part of the picture, and a game is one of the simplest there is.

Games that respect the player

Being an adult who plays does not mean playing childish games. Some things worth looking for:

Grown-up look and feel. Clear, calm design and real-world themes, not cartoon characters and baby talk.
A challenge that fits. Big buttons, simple rules and no time pressure can make a game easier to play without making it less of a game.
Choice of level. The person decides whether to keep it easy or push for a harder round.
No penalties for stopping. It should be fine to leave a game halfway and come back later, or not at all.

Playing together, or against each other

Both are good, and the person playing gets to choose.

Cooperative games put everyone on the same side. Working together on a puzzle, a memory game or a quiz takes the pressure off and makes it easy for anyone to join in.
Competitive games bring the fun of trying to win. A bit of friendly rivalry with a sibling, a housemate or a support worker can be the best part of the day.

A shared activity with family and workers

A game can be one of the easiest ways for family members and support workers to spend real time with someone, rather than only helping with tasks. A few habits help:

Ask, don't assume. Offer a few games and let the person choose.
Play properly. Letting someone win every time is not respectful. Adjust the game, not the result.
Let them lead. If the person knows the game better, they can teach you.
Keep it going. A regular game night, or a round over morning tea, gives everyone something to look forward to.

Where Able fits

The Play door in the Able Wellness app has short games on the tablet, to play on your own or with someone alongside. It sits beside Move, Cook, Go and Calm, so a person can choose what they would like to do today.