Play is a range of intrinsically motivated activities done for recreation.
Play is commonly associated with children and juvenile-level activities, but
may be engaged in at any life stage, and among other higher-functioning
animals as well, most notably mammals and birds.
Play is often interpreted as frivolous; yet the player can be intently focused
on their objective, particularly when play is structured and goal-oriented, as
in a game. Accordingly, play can range from relaxed, free-spirited,
spontaneous, and frivolous to planned or even compulsive. Play is not just a
pastime activity; it has the potential to serve as an important tool in
numerous aspects of daily life for adolescents, adults, and cognitively
advanced non-human species (such as primates).