Childhood Was Once Full of Street Games — What Happened?

Play builds stronger, kinder, happier kids. Every giggle, every jump, every shared moment matters.

Do you remember playing outside every evening?

Running around with neighborhood friends, inventing new games, and laughing until the sun went down? Back then, that was just everyday life. We didn’t have gadgets, gaming consoles, or endless screen time — we had imagination, friendship, and movement.

We played hide-and-seek, hopscotch, tag, and countless made-up games that taught us teamwork, cooperation, and kindness — without even realizing it. Every child got some form of physical activity every single day, and it made a difference: we were active, healthy, socially connected, and rarely bored.

So what changed?

Technology slowly found its way into our lives — and while it has many benefits, it also took something precious away: unstructured physical play.

Today, many children spend more time sitting than moving. Instead of playing with neighborhood friends, they connect through screens.

The result? We see higher rates of childhood obesity, isolation, anxiety, and even health issues like PCOS developing earlier than ever. Kids are missing the joy, creativity, and emotional release that come from simply running, jumping, and playing.

That’s when I asked myself — what can I do about it?

As a parent and author, I wanted to combine storytelling with movement, just like the childhood I remember — where imagination was the game.

That’s how my picture book, Spinning Monkey and the Missing Eggs, was born.

It’s more than a story — it’s an experience. Children can jump like frogs, spin like monkeys, and work together to solve a mystery. The book invites them to move, think, and laugh as they read.

It’s not just reading time — it’s play time.

Why is movement so important for kids?

Because play builds more than strong bodies — it builds smart, happy, empathetic minds.When kids cooperate, take turns, and celebrate each other’s wins, they learn real social skills: teamwork, kindness, resilience, and communication.

And when parents join in, something magical happens.

I’ve seen moms and dads hopping, spinning, and giggling along with their kids. These shared moments create the kind of connection we all want — joyful, screen-free, real.

That’s also why I created Myactivecrab.

MyActiveCrab is more than just my author brand — it’s a movement to help parents and educators bring activity back into learning. My book, Spinning Monkey and the Missing Eggs, includes fun, movement-based games woven right into the story, encouraging kids to jump, spin, and think as they read.

My goal is simple: to remind families that physical play isn’t just “fun” — it’s essential for a child’s mental, emotional, and social growth.

Let’s bring back the joy of movement.

We can’t go back in time, but we can recreate the magic of play for today’s kids — through stories, creativity, and shared adventures.

Get your copy of Spinning Monkey and the Missing Eggs and continue the adventure on our Explore the Jungle  page. Don’t forget to grab your screen-free games and free resources in the Free Printables section!

Let’s raise a generation that moves, imagines, and connects — one story at a time. 🌿