This example of work as play entered my life with these enthusiastic words from an eight-year-old carrying a cardboard box filled with nails, “ I got a job, and I’m going to be rich!”

He excitedly explained that the contractor overseeing a crew that was wrapping up an extensive six-month-long remodeling job on an apartment complex with over two dozen buildings had promised to pay him a quarter for every stray nail he found on the grounds of the complex.

The lad had spent the whole day engaged in work as play, hunting nails. He’d even enlisted the help of another kid, whom he’d promised a percentage of the profits. “We searched around the buildings, in the parking lot, by the dumpsters, where the workers kept their tools, and where they took their breaks. We even checked the storm drains because we figured the rain might have washed nails into them—we found a bunch.”

And indeed, they had. My guess is that the contractor would be paying out around $100, which was probably a lot more than he’d planned. His crew was supposed to police the grounds with a magnetic nail sweeper (a magnet on wheels meant to capture nails and other metallic scrap) and a large $1500+ debris vacuum at the end of each day. It appears neither device is as effective at scooping up hard-to-reach nails as a motivated eight-year-old.

I asked if it was hard work.

“Kinda, but it’s been mostly fun figuring out where nails would hide. I like figuring stuff out. It was kinda workplay.”

I asked what he planned to do with all his money.

“Walmart toy department for LEGOs. They have the best deals.”

Work As Play Wrap-Up

I love the effort and problem-solving he exhibited. I’m also impressed by how this bit of work as play gave him a taste of some economic basics.

In my mind, this is an example of power play since the kid was exhibiting his prowess at hunting down nails. This play sighting also highlights the importance of trust. The contractor trusted the kid to take on this job—and was probably surprised by how long he worked and how successful he was.

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