Age play, a kind of role play that focuses on a change in ages, is a form of creative expression to explore our past and future. It is not always sexual—age regression or progression is a common fantasy and a practice used in therapy due to its powerful psychological possibilities.
This may be the root of the appeal of age regression fetish too, outside of the obvious fun factor. Since sex is often ceremonial, theatrical, and ritualistic, age play allows participants to re-enter childhood, experience older age, or confront good and evil characters in their lives in a safe way where they are empowered to direct and control the outcome.
What does age regression involve?
Age regression, sometimes called entering “little space” is controversial at times because its focus on childhood is misunderstood. It is ADULTS who enter into kid zone in fantasy. Attraction to minors is a different issue.
Age regression is like adult baby or diaper fetish without the connection to soiling or infant helplessness. As with adult babies, age-regression play brings the practitioner into a comfortable, carefree space where they can relax, unwind, and temporarily cast off the responsibilities and concerns of adulthood.
The ways we engage in age play to regress to childhood are things all of us do occasionally and instinctively to get back to that space! The difference is that to age regress, we do it consciously and intentionally.
Read: What Is Age Play?
How can adults enter the Little Space?
Play Dress-Up
The easiest and most obvious way to enter an age regression space is to dress the part.
A huge part of kink and fetish in general is dress-up, cosplay, and sexual roleplay. We love dressing up at all ages—every culture adores fashion and special occasions call for everything from our finest to complete disguise and masks during festivals or rites.
Our private ceremonies might mean dressing up like a cop or a stripper, or they might mean dressing down. To enter the spirit of childhood, think vintage, and think about bows, knickers, corduroys, sun dresses, Velcro sneakers, and all things Disney.
Watch Cartoons
Sometimes all we’re looking for is permission to zone out into the carefree space of kids’ cartoons. So what if it might be immature to watch the Smurfs or Care Bears or The Little Mermaid?
There’s a real benefit to occasional escapism from the weight of the world—business and politics and crime and debts can recede for a few hours while you go on colorful adventures with your favorite nostalgic characters.
Keep a Little Library
Children’s books should always be on hand for unexpected visitors, but never forego the pleasure of children’s classics yourself. Turn the pages on timeless tales with giant peaches, grinches, country mice, and Alice (who runs the gamut from macro to micro while exploring many worlds in between). And don’t forget comic books!
Eat Comfort Foods and Snacks
Have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich with the crusts cut off, or a grilled cheese sandwich with a cup of tomato soup. Chocolate milk, Fruit Loops, retro penny candies—it’s easy to transport yourself to simpler times with easy recipes or a quick trip to the local convenience store.
Enjoy Arts & Crafts and Toys
Many adults collect certain toys—a collection gives us permission to continue to play in a way. Pull out a train set, plastic food, Barbie dolls, or buy a paint-by-numbers kit. Or take a trip to your neighborhood art supplies store where you are sure to find inspiration.
Curious how age play is incorporated into the world of fetish and kinky play? Read:
11 Types of Age Play & Age-Specific Kinks
What are your experiences with age regression play or little space?
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