有些成年人似乎永远也长不大。来看看为什么有些人喜欢在业余时间做看似只有在孩童时代才会做的事情，如制作飞机模型、搭建积木套装。有证据表明，这些人其实有充分的理由痴迷于这类爱好。玩儿时的玩具是否说明我们在寻找内心的那个 “大小孩”？听 “随身英语” 节目讨论以玩玩具为兴趣爱好的成年人。

词汇：play 玩耍

We all know children love to play with toys. But as they approach adulthood, they stop being playful and concentrate on grown-up things – or so we believe. However, in recent times at least, adults are revisiting their childhood and buying toys for themselves – and they've been given the nickname 'kidults'.

There are many reasons for the rise of the kidult, but it's certainly big business. In the USA for example, the Toy Association says that over half of adults bought toys and games for themselves last year. Nostalgia is part of the reason: people want to relive their childhood and now have the disposable income to do so. Puzzles and board games are traditional toys that can be enjoyed at any age.

But there's more to being a big kid than just taking a trip down memory lane. People have more time to let their hair down and play. Hobbies such as modelling and construction with plastic bricks can help people develop skills into adulthood. And they allow people to switch off and relax. In fact, Frederique Tutt, global industry analyst at NPD, told the BBC: "I'd say much of this is providing an escape from the stresses and strains of modern-day living, fulfilling our need to find downtime."

Some people are even finding comfort and camaraderie by playing with others. Although competing with others through video gaming might be nothing new, others are coming together to build train sets or sophisticated models. In Brighton in the UK, for example, Brighton Bricks is a club where adult fans of the toy Lego meet up every month to talk, play and swap collections.

But those who think playing with toys is childish and immature should take note of the research by René Proyer, professor of psychology at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg in Germany. It suggests that adults who demonstrate more playful personality traits are more motivated, creative and spontaneous. So, it seems life shouldn't be all work and no play, and maybe we should take play more seriously!

词汇表

toy 玩具
adulthood 成年
childhood 童年
kidult 童心未泯的成年人，大小孩
nostalgia 怀旧
puzzle 智力游戏，谜
board game 棋盘游戏或玩具
big kid 大孩子
a trip down memory lane 追忆往昔
let someone's hair down 某人彻底放松、尽情享受
hobby 业余爱好
modelling 制作模型（玩具车、装饰摆件等）
construction 组装物体（积木套装等）
downtime 休息时间
camaraderie 友情
video gaming 玩电子游戏
train set 成套火车（玩具）
collection 收藏品
immature 不成熟的，幼稚的
playful 爱玩的，有趣的
spontaneous 随性的
all work and no play 只工作不放松

测验与练习

1.  阅读课文并回答问题。

1. What are the reasons mentioned in the article that adults are buying more toys for themselves?

2. How might playing with toys as an adult help you?

3. What might be the benefits of playing with other adults?

4. True or false? Research by René Proyer suggests that being playful makes you more creative.

5. Is there an age limit to enjoying puzzles and board games?

2.  选择意思恰当的单词或词组来完成下列句子。

1. My _______ include painting, acting and singing.

collections                     puzzles                         hobbies                     downtime

2. You need to _______ and come to the party. It'll be fun!

let your hair drop                                                let my hair down    

let your hairs down                                             let your hair down

3. He's such a _______ – he still takes his teddy bear to bed at night!

immature                       childhood                      spontaneous             big kid

4. When I get some _______, I like to have a go at doing a jigsaw puzzle.

collections                     downtime                      nostalgia                   construction

5. Shall we _______ and get out the old dolls you used to play with out of the cupboard?

take a trip down memory lane                            take a voyage down memory lane

take a trip up memory lane                                 have journeys down memory lane

答案

1. 阅读课文并回答问题。 

1. What are the reasons mentioned in the article that adults are buying more toys for themselves?

Many adults have more disposable income and more leisure time.

2. How might playing with toys as an adult help you?

It helps you to develop new skills and relax and switch off. And as Frederique Tutt said, it can provide an escape from the stresses and strains of modern-day living.

3. What might be the benefits of playing with other adults?

Playing with others can give you comfort and camaraderie.

4. True or false? Research by René Proyer suggests that being playful makes you more creative.

True. Her research suggests that adults who demonstrate more playful personality traits are more motivated, creative and spontaneous.

5. Is there an age limit to enjoying puzzles and board games?

No. Puzzles and board games are traditional toys that can be enjoyed at any age.

2.  选择意思恰当的单词或词组来完成下列句子。

1. My hobbies include painting, acting and singing.

2. You need to let your hair down and come to the party. It'll be fun!

3. He's such a big kid – he still takes his teddy bear to bed at night!

4. When I get some downtime, I like to have a go at doing a jigsaw puzzle.

5. Shall we take a trip down memory lane and get out the old dolls you used to play with out of the cupboard?