February 2010 Blog Posts (6)

I've been so concerned about kids not playing outdoors anymore. I've been pondering how to change things, so I decided to look at when kids voluntarily dash outside. I've noticed two basic times: (1) when they are at school and it's time for recess, and (2) when it's snowing. Can you think of any others?…

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This wonderful drawing about "My Idea of Fun" comes from Ada, a 5 year-old from Istanbul, Turkey. It is an entry into the Playable Kids design competition. The whole point of Playable Kids is to get children to inspire the architects, designers, artists, and others who are competing in the Playable 2010 design competition. The children's competition closes on February 26, 2010. Go to…

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Urban Play Conference SCHEDULE.pdf

A conference that is an incredible opportunity to learn more about play and urban play will be held at Georgia State University in Atlanta from March 10 - 13, 2010. It is open to the public, but is also the annual…

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This picture doesn't look like a significant memory, but it is one. I remember how triumphant I felt reaching the top of that great height (even with my grandmother behind me and my mother in front of me). As I got older, it wasn't the playgrounds that drew me in. The greatest playing we did in our neighborhood was building forts and putting on plays and carnivals. Oh, and spending hours in the woods playing "Man from…

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The importance of play and creativity are stressed in creating a successful environment and process for children to learn in this article from the New York Times, Playing to Learn.



An excerpt: "During the school day, there should be extended time for play. Research has shown unequivocally that children learn best when they are interested in the material or activity they are learning. Play —… Continue

When you've seen a child's drawing become a real treehouse that serves an entire camp, you understand that we seriously believe that kids are the experts on play.

Get every child you know to enter the PLAYABLE KIDS International Design Competition or before February 26, 2010. Their ideas will become the playgrounds of tomorrow when they serve to inspire the architects, artists,… Continue