The age span of children having fun at Mystic Seaport’s playscape area sometimes surprises me. One would expect the appeal of climbing on the boats “anchored” there would be limited to the younger set – but not always. I think of that song “I Won’t Grow Up” from the Peter Pan soundtrack. The lyrics start like this: I won’t grow up; I don’t want to go to school….
Whether pretending their playscape boat is being attacked by pirates; or that they are fishermen hauling in a net full of fish; or they are on the lookout for whales, harpoon at the ready – it’s refreshing to see that outdoor play can once in a while trump indoor video games. Childhood imaginations remain alive and well as boys and girls act out their own playscape adventures.
But as the carefree days of summer vacation draw to a close, it will probably get a little quieter and less raucous outside our office window. The toddlers and preschoolers will reclaim the playscape boats for themselves until one day they, too, will grow up and have to go to school. Peter Pan’s followers shouted – “Not me! Not me! No sir! Not me!” But alas, we all do.
The sound of children at play is music to my ears and a reminder of just how sweet those childhood years are. I hope I never grow up past the point of vicariously joining the children at Mystic Seaport’s playscape.
Blog written by Trudi Busey.
