There’s something contagious about play that brings up belly laughs–even in serious adults!

It was hot today–in the high 80s at our local Safari Park. We headed out to attend a preview of the new Elephant Valley–the enclosure where the eight elephants live. Elephants are special–smart, social, and full of personality. And I have to admit, I have gotten to know a lot more about them since my niece became an elephant keeper.

This new enclosure is special. It gives the elephants lots of space…and makes it easy to watch elephants. This preview meant the crowds were large–and that is never my favorite. We were lucky enough the find a place to sit in the shade (many thanks to the couple who shared their table with us)–right in front of the little pond and a mud hole.

The elephant keepers were doing some enrichment/training with the elephants, creating spectacular moments for visitors. And afterwards, the elephants clearly needed to cool off. As we sat we watched one of the teenaged elephants head over to the mud hole and start rolling and splashing the mud all over. Watching these huge animals nimbly get down to the ground and play in the mud is a delight! We could hear the echoes of laughter as visitors enjoyed the spectacle. Then another elephant moves toward the mud–a hole clearly big enough for one, but for two? We watch the elephants nudge and push until they fall into a full-on wrestling match, playful and muddy, trunks swinging, mud flying. At some points butt to butt, fully enjoying the cool mud and each other as they played together in the not-quite-big-enough-for two mud hole.

Video of elephants in the mud hole

I am reminded again and again of the importance of play–not just for children and not just for elephants…but for all of us. It is so easy to get serious, to spend our time worrying about the world, worrying about our families, taking care of business, getting through the daily stuff of living and forget to take time to play, to laugh, to delight, to find a place in the mud to cool off and let off some steam.

Where will you fit play into your day?