Have you ever seen a crow snowboard?

Did you know that some scientists played "tea party" with a Bonobo …in captivity (behind literal bars), and observed the animal remembering where imaginary juice was poured? The article sharing the research implies these creatures have the capacity for “playing make-believe.”

I generally enjoy hearing stories and research about how different animals play (A raven…or maybe a crow?…“snowboarding” on jar lids is my favorite). This one with the Bonobos didn't grab me quite as much. Maybe it’s the captivity piece. Maybe the structured, highly controlled setup. I get why it's necessary for clean data, and I know we probably can’t run imaginary tea parties in the wild and collect reliable observations…. but later in the article, they mention young female bonobos placing sticks on their backs, seemingly imitating carrying an infant. That finding felt different to me.

Because forced fun is never fun.

The article shows us that the Bonobo is intelligent, sure (i.e., understanding what the scientist wants it to do), but I'm not sure we can make the assumptive leap to true play. Play has to be intrinsically motivating and optional actually, to be play; otherwise, we are just acting.

Just like at work… real meaning and fulfillment from mission-driven work must be intrinsic (supported extrinsically, but meaningful to the individual at their core). The EASIEST way to help employees (and leaders!) track to that meaning and fulfillment is by allowing for playfulness in the work. Not designing “fun” and assigning it, but creating environments where it happens naturally.

Are you hosting tea parties… or creating space for real play?

If you’re ready to build workplaces where playfulness supports real engagement and profitability — let’s schedule a workshop. I’ll share the neuroscience behind why play works and how to apply it in ways that actually matter.

Let’s stop scripting fun and start creating space for it.