This study explored student perspectives on their work and play at school and examined why they engage in work and play. Nineteen eighth grade students, who were predominantly white, and of the middle or upper middle class, were the subjects. The students were asked to conduct an interviewer on a grand tour and then various mini-tours of their activities during a school day. They also were asked to categorize different activities as either work or play. This was done to help them articulate their precise thoughts and feelings about the nature of work and play. Work activities were commonly perceived by the students as things they had to do whether they wanted to or not, and among the reasons they did them was because the teacher graded them. Play activities were seen as things the students did because they wanted to and because they were fun. The findings suggested that students see their school activities in terms of work or play. A discussion is presented on the importance of developing instructional activities and curricula to increase their play-like qualities and to provide higher motivation for students. (JD)