Was Toy Story 3 the most perfect movie ending ever created?
Was it really necessary to make Toy Story 4 and Toy Story 5?
Is Bonnie the biggest villain in the franchise for the way she treated Woody?
Yes. No. And yes.
The Toy Story franchise has become more than a series of animated movies. It's a time machine. Every new installment reminds us of childhood, imagination, and a time when having fun wasn't something we had to schedule between meetings and errands.
But while Toy Story 5 may be about toys competing with tablets and technology for kids' attention, it also raises a question for adults:
When did we stop playing?
As kids, play was our default setting. We built forts. Rode bikes. Made up games. Turned cardboard boxes into spaceships and backyards into entire worlds. We didn't worry about being productive. We weren't optimizing our free time. We were just having fun.
Somewhere along the way, though, many of us traded play for scrolling, schedules, and responsibilities. And while adulthood comes with plenty of important obligations, it may have also cost us something we didn't realize we needed.
The power of play.
That's why we connected with our friends at Virtua Health to explore why play matters and how to bring a little more fun into everyday life.
Sponsored By Virtua Health
Why play matters for adults
Play is any activity you do simply because it's enjoyable.
It's not about productivity. It's not about achieving a goal. It's about having fun.
Whether it's tossing a football in the backyard, playing a board game, dancing in the kitchen, trying a new hobby, building something, or laughing with friends, play activates parts of the brain that help us recharge and connect.
Studies have linked play to a variety of benefits, including reduced stressed, improved creativity, better overall wellbeing, and building stronger relationships with friends, family and even coworkers.
Simple ways to play more this summer
Revisit something you loved as a kid: Ride a bike. Throw a Frisbee. Visit an arcade. Build a sandcastle. Fly a kite. The activities themselves matter less than the joy they bring.
Make time for friendly competition: Card games, board games, pickleball, mini golf, cornhole—anything that gets you interacting and laughing counts.
Get outside: Nature naturally encourages curiosity, movement, and exploration. Take a walk somewhere new, visit a park, or spend an afternoon at the beach.
Put down the phone: Not every moment needs to be documented. Challenge yourself to spend part of your day fully present without reaching for a screen.
Follow what sounds fun: Adults often ask, "Is this worth my time?" A better question might be: "Does this sound enjoyable?" If the answer is yes, that's reason enough.
This is the summer of play!
So go ahead—shoot your shot, challenge the kids to a race, join that pickup game, or finally see if you've still got that playground magic. And if your quest for fun ends with a twisted ankle instead of a victory lap, Virtua Urgent Care is here to help you get back in the game.
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