The 8 Play Styles: Which One Are You?
Raise your hand if you’ve ever thought:
“I don’t have time to play… or maybe I just don’t know how anymore.”
Yeah, me too. But here’s a secret: the reason some adults feel awkward about play isn’t that they’ve “outgrown it.” It’s that not all play is created equal. And just like some people love coffee while others swear by tea, we all have different play styles — ways our minds and bodies crave joy and curiosity.
Discovering yours is the fastest way to reclaim energy, creativity, and, yes, actual fun.
Meet the 8 Play Styles
Collector
Loves gathering, organizing, and curating. Finds joy in catalogs, lists, collections, and trophies (physical or metaphorical).
Micro-play idea: Start a mini collection at your desk — stickers, funny objects, or colorful Post-its.
Competitor
Thrives on challenge, scoring points, and winning — even small personal victories.
Micro-play idea: Time yourself on a playful task or challenge a friend to a friendly duel (think mini games, trivia, or “who can stack the highest blocks?”).
Creator
Loves making, building, imagining. Painting, writing, cooking — anything that produces something new.
Micro-play idea: Spend 5 minutes doodling, crafting, or designing a silly invention. No judgment.
Director
Loves leading, coordinating, and orchestrating. Finds joy in storytelling, planning, or being the “play architect” of a game or project.
Micro-play idea: Plan a 3-step fun mini-project for a friend or colleague.
Explorer
Craves novelty, adventure, and discovery.
Micro-play idea: Take a new route on your walk, try a small unfamiliar activity, or explore a tiny corner of your home with curiosity.
Kinesthete
Loves movement, touch, and physical experiences.
Micro-play idea: Do a 2-minute stretch, dance, or silly body movement. Let your body lead.
Joker
Lives to make others laugh, enjoy absurdity, and push playful boundaries.
Micro-play idea: Send a silly gif, make a funny face in the mirror, or prank your own expectations for a minute.
Storyteller
Thrives on narrative, fantasy, and dramatic play.
Micro-play idea: Write a one-paragraph story about an ordinary object in your room — make it heroic, absurd, or mysterious.
Why Your Play Style Matters
Knowing your dominant play style is like having a secret superpower. When life is stressful, chaotic, or draining, tapping into the right kind of play:
Recharges your energy faster
Sparks creativity and problem-solving
Helps you connect to others authentically
Gives your nervous system a playful reset
When you try to play in a way that doesn’t match your style, it feels awkward or exhausting.
A Story from My Own Life
I used to think play was just “silly stuff for kids.” Then I realized I’m a Creator first, but I often forced myself into Competitor-style play because it felt productive. Result? Burnout. Turns out I am very stressed at the idea of winning vs. losing. I just want everyone to have fun.
Once I leaned into my Creator style — doodling, designing playful experiences, and journaling stories — my energy skyrocketed. Micro-play became a lifeline. And guess what? I still got my tasks done — just with more joy.
How to Explore Your Play Style
Notice what energizes you: When do you feel excited, alive, or fully absorbed?
Experiment boldly: Try different types of play, even ones outside your comfort zone.
Reflect afterward: Which ones made you feel restored versus drained?
Inside Camp Playstate, we take this exploration further:
Guided exercises help you identify your dominant play style.
Play challenges stretch your style to new areas.
Weekly prompts keep you experimenting and building your playful habits.
Start Today
Take the Play Style Quiz.
Pick one micro-play idea from your style and try it for 5 minutes today. Notice how your energy, mood, or creativity shifts.
The more you practice, the easier it is to integrate play into your daily life — without guilt, without forcing yourself, and without waiting for “free time.”
Want to dive deeper?
Camp Playstate is the membership that guides adults to reclaim their play, joy, and energy through style-specific exercises, weekly prompts, and a playful community.
Doors open January 7.
Join the waitlist to start exploring your unique play superpower today.
