Several years ago, a conversation with the younger of her two kids shined a spotlight on something Dee had been contemplating since having kids. There were not many options for freeform play by the time they reached their tween years. Since then, she noticed that play and creativity become rigidly structured during the teen years. This rigidity continues into adulthood, where many of us are so focused on productivity and perfection that we forget how to have fun.

Around this time, she returned to work after leaving the entertainment industry to be a stay-at-home mom. She started teaching music and movement using play to toddlers and preschoolers for Rock’ n’ Kids. Watching these kids have fun, it struck her as tremendously sad that we give up freeform play early. We have become a culture that neglects play as older kids. Then as adults, we put away childish things even though science tells us we need play and creativity throughout our lives. Teens and adults need playtime, and she would help them find it.

Dee creates workshops and events using freeform play to improve mental health and spark creativity. These workshops include classic children’s games and activities, unstructured play, freeform arts and crafts, imagination-sparking activities, and more. It’s like using recess to de-stress.

She leads events and field trips designed to find a playful way to explore, nurture curiosity, and try new things. Dee is also available for speaking engagements where she can discuss the health benefits and history of play.

Dee hopes to bring a little unstructured fun into people’s lives so they can discover a way to open up creatively and improve their mental health through activities they enjoyed as a child.

“We are never more fully alive, more completely ourselves, or more deeply engrossed in anything than when we are playing.” ~ Charles Schaefer

“Our brains are built to benefit from play no matter what our age.” -Theresa A. Kestly

“There’s no point in being grown up if you can’t be childish sometimes.” – The Fourth Doctor