Can joy be cultivated? And, if so, can we teach our kids how to be more joyful in their lives?

In our experience, the answer to both of these questions is yes. But it takes knowing what kinds of practices bring true happiness—and not just momentary pleasure—to your life. Once you’ve mastered that, it’s not too hard to introduce those practices to kids in a way that they can understand and appreciate.

Let's face it: We're all busy people. With our jobs, housework, school, appointments, and other daily commitments, finding time for play is often a low priority. We often overlook it, viewing it as unnecessary or guilty pleasure. But play represents more than just fun and games. When properly applied, it can improve the physical, mental, and emotional health of people of all ages.