Houston Daily

A recent study by the University of Houston highlights that not all types of fun provide the same benefits for youth, especially when it comes to social and emotional development. Bradley H. Smith, a professor in the Department of Psychological, Health and Learning Sciences at UH’s College of Education, led the research, which was published in August in the Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education.

Smith introduced a new framework called the “Four Types of Fun” model. This model expands on previous ideas used in outdoor and adventure programs, which often refer informally to three types of fun. The four categories are:

- Type 1 (recreational fun): Relaxing activities such as lounging on a beach.

- Type 2 (challenging fun): Activities like hiking or rock climbing that may be difficult during participation but feel rewarding afterward.

- Type 3 (adventure fun): High-adrenaline experiences such as rollercoasters or bungee jumping.

- Type 4 (overindulgent fun): Experiences that can become excessive, like overeating.

Smith’s research focuses on Type 2 fun, describing it as involving challenge, novelty, and small-group settings with guidance from an adult mentor. He explains that ideal activities are stimulating yet manageable—examples include tough hikes or skiing difficult slopes.

“I don’t think people take fun seriously enough,” Smith said. “It's a basic human need, and we're better off doing it.”

Smith noted that society often overlooks the value of purposeful and challenging fun in work or educational environments. He believes these kinds of experiential learning opportunities support positive youth development more effectively than some other popular youth programs.

“To what extent can we try to cultivate Type 2 fun in schools? What if we really try to make learning fun and challenging?” he said.

Smith plans further research to develop tools for measuring how much Type 2 fun is present in organizations and its impact on participants’ experiences.