We were all once children, and still have that child dwelling within us. Yet to become adults, we’ve been taught that our inner child–representing our child-like capacity for innocence, wonder, awe, joy, sensitivity and playfulness–must be stifled, quarantined or even killed. This can create a lot of challenges and dysfunctions as true adulthood hinges on acknowledging, accepting, and taking responsibility for loving and parenting one’s own inner child.

How can we heal this relationship? The answer is beyond the scope of this post, but start by taking care of that inner child’s needs and you’ll be on your way.





This certificate of the inner child gives you the right to:

  1. Certificate of the Inner ChildAsk lots of questions with a big smile on your face.
  2. Do a bubbles-blowing competition. The biggest/fastest traveling bubble(s) wins.
  3. Build a fairy-tale sand castle.
  4. Climb a tree.
  5. Collect rainbows. If there are none today, draw one!
  6. Dance! Lots of free dance videos are here.
  7. Daydream: imagine you are riding a cloud…
  8. Doodle with colored pencils (because you can), e.g., draw on and paint an empty apple box you can get for free from your local supermarket, or draw cartoons on toilet paper.
  9. Dress as a clown, just for fun.
  10. Fly a kite.
  11. Go barefoot.
  12. Have a funny toy throwing contest.
  13. Have a water fight.
  14. Hug and kiss a tree.
  15. Jump in a mud puddle.
  16. Laugh from heart, just because you can.
  17. Make a drawing of something you have never seen.
  18. Make up new rules and try them out religiously for a whole day.




  1. Play a game! (I post what I like here. Thousands of quality games and creative activities for inside & outside family fun are here. There are also lots of games in the Online Laughter Session Planner).
  2. Order the biggest ice-cream.
  3. Play football (or any other games!) with grandpa and/or grandma.
  4. Play being a superhero and saving the world.
  5. Put on a puppet show.
  6. Read a children book under the blankets with a torch.
  7. Sing happy music, karaoke style. 100+ happy and other songs to make you dance, sing and feel good are here. Many thousands more are here.
  8. Say hello to everyone in the street.
  9. Shout out loud what comes up… now!
  10. Sing in the shower (Try different styles.)
  11. Say “aaaaaaa” and “oooooo” a lot, e.g., as you smell flowers.
  12. Tell a fairy tale story to your pet.
  13. Yes! Do some face and/or finger painting.
  14. Watch the moon and stars come out.

It is never too late to be a happy child.

Enjoy!




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What other activities do you believe should be on this certificate of the inner child? Join the conversation by leaving a comment below!