Science’s newest miracle drug is free. It lowers blood pressure, reduces stress-hormone levels, promotes physical healing, bolsters immune-system function, raises self-esteem, improves mood, curtails the need for painkillers, and reduces inflammation. Read more
A destination playground is unique and should not look like any other park within its local park system or region. If you want a playground that generates buzz, check out these helpful suggestions. Read more
Kids to Parks Day, celebrated on May 18, is a national day of play that connects kids and families with their local, state, and national parks. Events are held around the country. Get involved. Read more
A scientist who studied the scientific research on playground safety “came to the counterintuitive conclusion that engaging in risk is actually very important in preventing injuries.” Read more
Kindergartners learn with their five senses — exploring, creating, building, testing, sorting, organizing, pretending, moving, singing, chanting. Sitting still and listening for long periods of time is not how they learn. Read more
By age 14, girls are dropping out of sports at approximately twice the rate of boys. The four main reasons that girls leave sports are the time commitment, cost, injuries, and not having fun. Here are great ideas for coaching girls. Read more
If you are looking for help in designing a playground, the 2019 updated version of the comprehensive Inclusive Play Design Guide is available for a free download. This is an excellent resource. Read more
The National Museum of Play offers insights into and anecdotes about the critical role of play in human development and the ways in which toys, dolls, games, and video games reflect cultural history. Read more
Isamu Noguchi was a sculptor with a vision to give children an abstract, surreal landscape for a playground that they would be able to interpret however they wanted. This article is a fascinating history of design in play. Read more
