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11 amazingly fun photos of adults playing in a ball pit, plus why science says play matters.

When was the last time you just ... played?

No, not competed to win, say, a cutthroat game of Scrabble, or stayed up all night trying to get to the next level of some video game.

When was the last time you just let your inhibitions melt away, flexed your imagination, and did something just because it was really, really fun?


Something like ... jumping into a giant ball pit.

Like this one! Photo by Jeremy Keith/Flickr.

Jump In!, a ball pit for adults, will be opening soon at the Manchester Science Festival.

Masterminded by the folks over at Pearlfisher, a design studio based in New York and London, Jump In! has made its way all over the world, with stops in Europe and the United States.

The pit, which holds about 81,00 white balls — enough to keep about 30 adults entertained at once — will be open to both visitors looking to splash around and businesses who want to hold meetings in the pool of pearly white orbs. Yep, you read that right.

The thesis of the installation is simple: Play matters, and we're never too old to reap the benefits of letting loose.

Check out these amazingly fun pictures of Jump In! in action, along with some scientifically verified reasons that we all need to make more time to goof around.

1. Play is a great way to get to know new people on a deep level.

All photos by Pearlfisher, used with permission.

2. It's a wonderful way for couples to reconnect with one another and explore other forms of emotional intimacy.

3. A little more play in your life can make you a lot less stressed out.

4. Plus, it can help boost your creativity and imagination.

5. Playing makes you feel young and alive! In other words, it gives you more energy.

6. Oh, and while you're having fun, you're also either learning or improving on key social skills.

7. Like teamwork! Playing teaches you how to effectively "negotiate" with other people.

8. Surprisingly, getting in a little playtime can help you find new ways to solve tough problems.

9. And, you guessed it, not enough play time can be a really bad thing for both kids and adults.

10. Remember this one important aspect of true play that's not present in a lot of adult games and competitions: It's OK to fail.

11. Finally, play doesn't just mean games. It can also take the form of building something for fun, coloring, or writing a song, for example.

If you can't make it to the Manchester Science Festival, don't worry. There will always be plenty of opportunities to play.

New games and stories are all around us, just waiting to be made up.

Not sure where to start? Just watch what kids do. They'll be happy to show you how it's done.

All images provided by Prudential Emerging Visionaries

Collins after being selected by Prudential Emerging Visionaries

True

A changemaker is anyone who takes creative action to solve an ongoing problem—be it in one’s own community or throughout the world.

And when it comes to creating positive change, enthusiasm and a fresh perspective can hold just as much power as years of experience. That’s why, every year, Prudential Emerging Visionaries celebrates young people for their innovative solutions to financial and societal challenges in their communities.

This national program awards 25 young leaders (ages 14-18) up to $15,000 to devote to their passion projects. Additionally, winners receive a trip to Prudential’s headquarters in Newark, New Jersey, where they receive coaching, skills development, and networking opportunities with mentors to help take their innovative solutions to the next level.

For 18-year-old Sydnie Collins, one of the 2023 winners, this meant being able to take her podcast, “Perfect Timing,” to the next level.

Since 2020, the Maryland-based teen has provided a safe platform that promotes youth positivity by giving young people the space to celebrate their achievements and combat mental health stigmas. The idea came during the height of Covid-19, when Collins recalled social media “becoming a dark space flooded with news,” which greatly affected her own anxiety and depression.

Knowing that she couldn’t be the only one feeling this way, “Perfect Timing” seemed like a valuable way to give back to her community. Over the course of 109 episodes, Collins has interviewed a wide range of guests—from other young influencers to celebrities, from innovators to nonprofit leaders—all to remind Gen Z that “their dreams are tangible.”

That mission statement has since evolved beyond creating inspiring content and has expanded to hosting events and speaking publicly at summits and workshops. One of Collins’ favorite moments so far has been raising $7,000 to take 200 underserved girls to see “The Little Mermaid” on its opening weekend, to “let them know they are enough” and that there’s an “older sister” in their corner.

Of course, as with most new projects, funding for “Perfect Timing” has come entirely out of Collins’ pocket. Thankfully, the funding she earned from being selected as a Prudential Emerging Visionary is going toward upgraded recording equipment, the support of expert producers, and skill-building classes to help her become a better host and public speaker. She’ll even be able to lease an office space that allows for a live audience.

Plus, after meeting with the 24 other Prudential Emerging Visionaries and her Prudential employee coach, who is helping her develop specific action steps to connect with her target audience, Collins has more confidence in a “grander path” for her work.

“I learned that my network could extend to multiple spaces beyond my realm of podcasting and journalism when industry leaders are willing to share their expertise, time, and financial support,” she told Upworthy. “It only takes one person to change, and two people to expand that change.”

Prudential Emerging Visionaries is currently seeking applicants for 2024. Winners may receive up to $15,000 in awards and an all-expenses-paid trip to Prudential’s headquarters with a parent or guardian, as well as ongoing coaching and skills development to grow their projects.

If you or someone you know between the ages of 14 -18 not only displays a bold vision for the future but is taking action to bring that vision to life, click here to learn more. Applications are due by Nov. 2, 2023.
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