by Robyn Rohde

I have long joked that if something wasn’t in my phone calendar then it didn’t exist. Unfortunately, that means spontaneity, specifically around fun, is often lost to the unending responsibilities of adulthood. 

Starting in 2026, Ames Public Library is helping by carving out some time for adult fun. On the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm, there will be a different activity for adults in the Auditorium in a series called, “That’s Fun!” Events range from puzzle competitions and escape rooms to trivia nights and pun battles. Each month features a different activity, all with the goal of adult fun and connection.

Adult play is crucial for a person’s mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Research conducted by the National Institute for Play (NIFP) has shown as little as 30 minutes of play acts as a powerful stress reliever, boosting creativity, improving cognitive function, and strengthening relationships. It combats burnout and depression by shifting focus, increasing happiness, and providing a sense of accomplishment, making adults more resilient and engaged.

NIFP Founder Dr. Stuart Brown states, “The opposite of play is not work — it’s depression. By prioritizing play, adults can lead more balanced, joyful, and meaningful lives.”

Not only is adult play important for the individual but for community as a whole. It helps us maintain our social well-being. And it's not just board games that do this, but puzzle leagues, or singing along to a tune in music bingo. There doesn’t need to be any point to the activity beyond having fun and enjoying yourself. Playing is how we connect.

"What you begin to see when there's major play deprivation in an otherwise competent adult is that they're not much fun to be around," Brown said in a recent interview with NPR. "You begin to see that the perseverance and joy in work is lessened and that life is much more laborious."

In other words, all work and no play makes everyone a whole lot duller. So, join other adults to keep Story County fun every second Wednesday at APL.

I am putting it in my phone calendar right now.