Curious about how to tell if someone is truly at play? It all comes down to observing how they are experiencing the activity. Look closely at their mood and behavior—are they fully engaged, focused, enjoying the moment?

The photos below capture people who we believe are at play. To know for certain, though, we’d need to be closer to sense their experience firsthand.

When viewing photos with multiple people, keep in mind that some may be at play, while others might not be.

For a deeper dive in the characteristics of play check out our Play Note, “What is Play Anyway?” or the page Play: The Basics.