Unplug and play : the ultimate illustrated guide to roughhousing with your kids

“An inspired defense of roughhousing! I guarantee that if you read just a few pages of this book, you'll be down on the floor wrestling and laughing with your children.”—Michael Thompson, co-author of the national best seller Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys Learn how rough-and-tumble play can nurture relationships, lead to closer connections, encourage resilience, and boost confidence in kids—with 45 illustrated activities to get you started. Every kid needs horseplay! Roughhousing is an essential part of childhood development—but it is increasingly overshadowed by screens and structured activities. In Unplug and Play, a doctor and a child psychologist, both dads, introduce parents to the benefits of physical play for young children. Drawing from gymnastics, martial arts, ballet, team sports, and even animal behavior, the authors present fun full-contact activities for parents and children to enjoy together, including: Human Cannonball Magic Carpet Ride Steamroller Jousting Raucous Pillow Fight And more! With activities for everyone from toddlers to kids ages 12 and up, you’ll build a foundation for a lifetime of enriching physical play. Previously published as T he Art of Roughhousing , this updated edition incorporates new child development research and addresses the changing role of screen time.

Everywhere you look, physical play—what some might call “roughhousing”—is being marginalized. Gym classes are getting shorter. Recess periods are being eliminated. Some new schools don’t even have playgrounds. Is it any wonder children retreat to “virtual horseplay” via video games?

But Drs. Anthony T. DeBenedet and Lawrence J. Cohen are here to shake things up—literally! With The Art of Roughhousing, they show how rough-and-tumble play can nurture close connections, solve behavior problems, boost confidence, and more. Drawing inspiration from gymnastics, martial arts, ballet, traditional sports, and even animal behavior, the authors present dozens of illustrated activities for children and parents to enjoy together—everything from the “Sumo Dead Lift” to the “Rogue Dumbo.” These delightful games are fun, free, and contain many surprising health benefits for parents. So put down those electronic games and get ready to rumble!

Everywhere you look, physical play—what some might call “roughhousing”—is being marginalized. Gym classes are getting shorter. Recess periods are being eliminated. Some new schools don't even have playgrounds. Is it any wonder children retreat to “virtual horseplay” via video games?But Drs. Anthony T. DeBenedet and Lawrence J. Cohen are here to shake things up—literally! With The Art of Roughhousing, they show how rough-and-tumble play can nurture close connections, solve behavior problems, boost confidence, and more. Drawing inspiration from gymnastics, martial arts, ballet, traditional sports, and even animal behavior, the authors present dozens of illustrated activities for children and parents to enjoy together—everything from the “Sumo Dead Lift” to the “Rogue Dumbo.” These delightful games are fun, free, and contain many surprising health benefits for parents. So put down those electronic games and get ready to rumble! ""A handbook about the importance of physical play for childhood development, including instructions for 45 illustrated activities parents and kids can enjoy together."-- Provided by publisher Provides information about how roughhousing can help families bond and get children to exercise, with examples of different games to play including the flying fox and the human cannonball "An illustrated handbook about the importance of physical play for childhood development, including instructions for 50 activities parents and kids can enjoy together"--