"[A] beautiful montage of animals and humans playing, accompanied by...some of the world's top play experts." Peter Gray, Prof. Psychology, Boston College

Human play is often thought of as a childhood pastime, but it imparts critical skills and experiences that are life-enhancing. Through play, we learn the rules of social behavior, how to bond with others and develop our imaginations, while improving our physical and emotional well-being. As unstructured play is supplanted by hours of screen time, what deficiencies will our children face as adults? While play may seem trivial in our lives, it may define who we are and how we came to be.

Experts featured in the film include primatologists Drs. Dieter and Netzin Steklis, educational psychologist Dr. Anthony Pellegrini, evolutionary biologist Dr. Marc Bekoff, the late neuroscientist Dr. Jaak Panksepp, as well as nature writer Brenda Peterson and interviews with a Waldorf teacher and a social worker.



Grade Level: 7 - 12, College, Adults
US Release Date: 2025     Copyright Date: 2025
VHS ISBN: 1-961192-43-8

Reviews "Yuri Makino's Rough and Tumble: Taking Play Seriously makes the case that play, far from being frivolous or insignificant, is crucial for development in animals both human and non-human. By weaving footage of dolphins, gorillas and human children at play with interviews of notable researchers and educators expanding on the subject, Makino's documentary both instructs and delights." David Toomey, Professor of English, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Author, Kingdom of Play: What Ball-bouncing Octopuses, Belly-flopping Monkeys, and Mud-sliding Elephants Reveal about Life Itself "Rough and Tumble is a compelling exploration of the vital role of unstructured, child-initiated play in children's well-being and flourishing. By showcasing the deep roots of play in both human and animal behavior, the film makes a powerful case for free play as essential to children's physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development." Rachel Severson, Professor of Psychology, University of Montana "Visually rich and skillfully crafted, Rough and Tumble captures a wide range of vigorous, spontaneous, rough-and-tumble play among humans and animals. It thoughtfully weaves in expert commentary on rough-and-tumble play's profound contributions to the development of both individual and social competence. The film effectively distinguishes between true aggression and robust, high-energy play - a subtle but important line that can be difficult to discern when observed rather than experienced. Ultimately, the film successfully celebrates the role of unbridled play in fostering greater joy and competence, both for individuals and for society as a whole." Stuart Brown, MD, Founder, National Institute for Play "Rough and Tumble is a wonderful introduction to the fascinating world of play. The film captures the deep connections in play across different species, including humans, and helps us understand its fundamental importance in the development of social life. Filled with beautiful footage of play in a variety of animals, and interviews with world renowned experts, this film has something for everyone." Greg Bryant, Professor of Communication, University of California Los Angeles "This film highlights the ubiquity and importance of play in children and animals ranging from rats to dogs and apes. Leading experts explain how play is involved in preparing them to deal with risks and stress, improve communication and decision-making skills, improve emotional regulation, learn about rules and fairness, and develop bonding and other social abilities, all of which aid in living joyful and creative lives." Gordon M. Burghardt, Professor of Psychology and Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee, Author, The Genesis of Animal Play "Rough and Tumble describes first-hand the centrality of rough and tumble play to human and nonhuman species alike. The excellent footage of myriad species engaged in play illustrates the behaviors described by the experts in the film, who interpret the behaviors unfolding on the screen. Once thought frivolous and immature, play takes its long overdue central role in the healthy development of mammals, including humans, in this beautiful, persuasive film." Tracy R. Gleason, Nellie Zuckerman Cohen and Anne Cohen Heller Professor in Health Sciences, Department of Psychology, Wellesley College "A beautifully filmed introduction to the importance of play. Compelling scenes of animals and children playing bring the commentaries of animal play researchers and child development experts to life--a must-see for parents, teachers, and education policymakers." Michael Kamen, Professor of Education, Southwestern University