• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • New to kink?
    • Articles for beginners
  • Contribute
  • BDSM Buying Guide

Kink Weekly

BDSM articles ideas bondage erotica resource

Home » Playing with Littles

Playing with Littles

January 23, 2017 By Jenn Masri 1 Comment

Air ball at beach with turquoise sea and blue sky

First, before you play with one, you may be curious as to what a “little” is. I am going to give you the more widely accepted definition/explanation for what a little is. Although there are some that may define things differently. Some will define being a little as being completely separate from age-play, for example. I will do my best to explain it how I have come to understand it via friends that identify as such, as well as participate in groups dedicated to age play.

Age play is a term used to cover those that participate in a certain fetish for behaving and/or regressing in a way that is more typical of ages younger than they are chronologically.

>>Age play does NOT imply anything related to ACTUAL incest or pedophilia.<<

Under the umbrella of age play there are several identifiers. Adult baby, little, and middle. Adult baby typically refers to someone who identifies with age 0-2 approximately. Some may identify within a few years older but not beyond diaper wearing years. A little usually identifies between AB and 9 or 10 approximately. The term “little” can also be used as an umbrella term for all three of these categories. Much like “D/s” is a specific power exchange dynamic but is also used as a global reference to any power exchange. The third identifier is middle which usually refers to someone that associates their “little space” to an age that is still a child but a bit older – pre-teen thru adolescence.

So to make it a bit easier I will be using the term “little” for the remainder of this article as the more global, or umbrella, term. It will refer to those that identify as an AB, little or middle. The defining difference for a little (as opposed to a babygirl, babyboy, or any roleplay including a minor like molestation/incest play) is regression. Regression is when your mind has to go back to a different age, it physically reverts to a younger age, when this happens the little does not think like a grown up, only the age they revert to.

If you go to a “littles party”, for example – at least here in LA – you will probably see the main play space filled with blankets, stuffed animals, chutes & ladders type board games, etc. Participants might be dressed in diapers, onesies, and/or footed pajamas. There will probably be a lot of coloring books, crayons, markers, playdoh, and other craft items. IF the party allows kinky play you will most likely find separate rooms available for that – away from the main area.

This is the part you need to pay attention to if you are negotiating play with someone that identifies as a little. First, find out what their definition of little is for them. It may be that their definition for little is closer to my definition of babygirl/boy (look for an article soon where I compare them) or that they identify as a little simply because they have a few childlike traits in their personality. In these cases you may not have much issue in terms of integrating their “little side” with kink. However, if they define “little” closer to how I (and many others) define it, then that may be a different story. If someone does more of a regression to the age of a child then it is possible that kinky play and/or sexual acts can be abusive. It can trigger trauma for them or become a more traumatic scenario. This is why it’s important to have a very honest conversation about what being in “little space” means for them, what they enjoy doing during that time, and what is off limits. Also, discuss whether the scene will be completely in “little space”, “adult space”, or if it might be a combination. A combination may be a bit trickier and require very specific planning. For many, kink can be integrated into little space if it makes sense – such as disciplining the “child” with a spanking.

Overall, the topic of littles and age-play can get very complicated. I hope I’ve at least cleared up a few questions if you had any. The main take away here is to make sure the negotiation for a scene is very honest and clear – on both sides. Don’t shy away from playing with littles – it can be a very fun and unique experience!

Jennifer Masri is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, specializing in Alternative Lifestyles for individual and relationship issues. She also teaches the BDSM 101 class series at Sanctuary LAX in Los Angeles every Monday evening. Read more about Jennifer on her blog, A Kink Shrink.

You may also be interested in:

  • The Misunderstandings of Littles
    The Misunderstandings of Littles
  • Video: Princesses And Dominant Littles
    Video: Princesses And Dominant Littles
  • Video: Halloween Scene Ideas For Pets and Littles
    Video: Halloween Scene Ideas For Pets and Littles

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Reddit
  • Email

Tagged With: age play, little, littles

Like Kink Weekly? Support us on Patreon!

Become a Patron!

Help keep us online & get epic good karma (and no ads)
Already a supporter? We love you! Visit here to enable ad-free browsing.

Sale – today only

That mouth need something inside it?

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. minnie says

    January 26, 2017 at 3:16 pm

    I often enjoy a “cutie” version of myself that i do not necessarily equate as a little but I guess it must be. I get bratty and my voice changes. my boyfriend likes playing like this sometimes so I’m lucky

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Don’t miss out!

Get an email each week when new editions are online
We won't spam you, and you can
easily unsubscribe at any time

Sale – today only

Bondage kinks coffee mug

Put a smile on your face each morning

Support Kink Weekly on Patreon!

Become a Patron!

Help keep us online and get
epic good karma (and no ads)

Already a supporter? We love you! Visit here to enable ad-free browsing.

Get

 

Red mini-dress

Contribute

Want to feature your writing or photography on Kink Weekly? Are you an BDSM/sex expert or professional, and interested in being quoted in an article? Contact us

Archives

sexy blonde Domme with male submissive in straitjacket

Simple Mummification Fun!

By PirateStan Leave a Comment

Learn helpful mummification techniques in this week’s edition!

shibari male submissive bound

Why Excellent Submission Can Be Remarkably Illusive

By Ms. RikaLeave a Comment

Dive deep into submission with Ms. Rika in this week’s edition!

Footer

18 U.S.C. 2257 record keeping compliance statement
Always play
Safe Sane and Consensual

Copyright © 2023 · News Pro On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in