George Ellsworth Johnson, a play administrator, author, and instructor of the early 1900s, believed that play was essential for children's physical development and health as well as being the precursor of later satisfying work, the means to shaping their emotional life, and the "mother of education." As a teacher, George furthered the play movement with his practical and philosophical knowledge and thus influenced the next generation of educators and administrators in the recreation and related fields.

The Natural Play and Learning Areas Guidelines Project is dedicated to "bringing nature back into the daily lives of children" and thus to improving children's health, happiness, and scholastic achievement. The Guidelines Project has developed natural play and learning sites which demonstrate how children can "connect, play and learn in nature."

Lee F. Hanmer, the Field Secretary of the Playground Association of America, wrote First Steps in Organizing Playgrounds, published in 1908 to offer "helpful suggestions to committees and associations that are planning to begin or extend public playgrounds."

The theme of the US Play Coalition 2013 Conference on the Value of Play was "Taking Action!" Held February 17-20, 2013, at the Madren Conference Center at Clemson University, over 300 attendees from around the world.

The Move Theory is a consulting and training company based on Dr. Kwame M. Brown's idea that exploring movement in a playful manner is the way to create "strong, healthy, happy young people." He maintains that such exploration must also include "effort, consistency, interaction and cooperation with others and the development of internal belief...through infrastructure and gentle guidance."