Take advantage of - positively

The phrase "take advantage of" is usually perceived as negative. Is there a word or a phrase with a similar meaning which would convey a more positive meaning? Akin to "make use of the situation" but more refined.

Opportunity

"Games and songs provide the perfect opportunity for classroom interaction and language development."

and also Golden opportunity - a very good chance to do or achieve something

You can try harness

: utilize

Or change the sentence structure where you can use the word "leverage"

To say "take advantage of someone" definitely has a negative connotation, but not necessarily so when you say "take advantage of an opportunity". Even to say "to take advantage of someone's knowledge" isn't necessarily negative.

A positive use:- I'm going to sit in my garden and take advantage of this glorious weather

A verb that is widely used in Irish English (but in Britain sounds slightly old-fashioned) is

to avail of

For example, you can avail of a special offer, or avail of someone's generosity.

I do not know if this is used in the US.