ABSTRACT
This chapter describes possible encounters with play in both art and health domains, and discusses how play and playfulness can contribute to individual and group engagement. Positive engagement signifies that individuals and groups are involved to the extent that they are realizing potential, the potential to develop and achieve, with an affirmative impact on health and wellbeing. The notion of serious play signifies play on a deep level, akin to a profound immersion in a condition of experiment and discovery. When an activity is craft-based, then the aspiration to facilitate individuals and groups into this state of being is a worthwhile goal, as this indicates a heightened mode of creativity and exploration. Serious play marks an attitude of experiment and invention throughout the sketching and model-making stages. Many health and social care professionals who engage in training as part of their continuing professional development will note the occasional reference made to having a sense of humor.
