When's the last time you told your teen to go out and play? And when's the last time you played with him? When we think of teenagers, playtime isn't one of the first things that comes to mind. But new research shows that it probably should be.A full two thirds of young people may feel "play-deprived," according to a recent study of 1,000 people ages 14 to 24 conducted by Synovate, a North American market research firm. What's more, the American Academy of Pediatrics has recently released a report that stresses play as essential to all children's development, resiliency and ability to manage stress. As for you and your teen, playing together can help build closeness and connectedness. "Research shows that adolescents who have close relationships with their parents are more self-reliant, tend to do better in school and are less likely to engage in risky behavior," says Jaana Juvonen, PhD, a professor of developmental psychology at UCLA who specializes in early adolescence. Play can also help you create positive memories and associations that boost communication as your child grows. Plus, active play with your adolescent can help to encourage a habit of activity and a healthy lifestyle for you both.

Of course, as your child transitions from his tweens to his teens, finding face time with him may get tricky. "Teens typically spend less time with parents and more with peers than they did even a couple of years before," explains Dr. Juvonen. "The challenge is to change the perception that fun things can only be done with pals and that parents are boring." So if you ask your kid for a playdate but he nixes the idea, suggest an alternate plan: Make a date with him and his pal—even with the pal and his mom, if possible—to make it more appealing.Your child will be more apt to spend time with you if you both decide jointly on what to do for fun than if only you dictate the activity, suggests Dr. Juvonen. And have the kind of fun that encourages communication. Chat while you play a game, or critique the film you just saw while you grab a burger afterward.

The tween and teen years can be rife with all sorts of growing pains—and whether that's truer for you or your child is up for debate. But forget about that for now. Go on, kick up your heels with your kid and enjoy!   Playful possibilities

• Toss a Frisbee or kick a soccer ball in the park with your teen on the weekend.
• Play a card or board game after dinner. Even teens need daily downtime. Leave time for homework, of course.
• Go to a funny film you pick together and let loose with the laughs.