• 2018 Conference on the Value of Play:
    The Many Faces of Play - April 8-11, 2018

    Learn More

  • 2018 Conference on the Value of Play:
    The Many Faces of Play - April 8-11, 2018

    Learn More

  • 2018 Conference on the Value of Play:
    The Many Faces of Play - April 8-11, 2018

    Learn More

  • 2018 Conference on the Value of Play:
    The Many Faces of Play - April 8-11, 2018

    Learn More

Education

Annual Conference on the VALUE of Play

The Play Conference, as it is commonly known, is an annual educational conference presented by the US Play Coalition. The latest research and practices in the field of play are presented at the conference, which brings together play researchers, park and recreation professionals, educators, health scientists, architects, landscape architects, designers, planners, business and community leaders, psychologists, physicians and parents from across the U.S. and beyond. The three day event includes keynote and featured speakers, round tables on critical issues and trends, research symposium for academics, educational sessions for practitioners, action and research grant opportunities, PLAYtalks and PLAYinstitutes, networking, EPIC play breaks and more.

The 2018 Conference on the Value of Play: The Many Faces of Play
will be April 8-11, 2018 at Clemson University in Clemson, SC.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR OUR 10TH ANNIVERSARY CONFERENCE
2019 Conference on the Value of Play: Celebrating 10 Years and More!
March 31-April 3, 2019 at Clemson University in Clemson, SC

2018 Conference on the Value of Play Details
Register to Attend the 2018 Conference

Communication

News & Press Releases

Outstanding Play Researcher and Practitioner Awards Announced at 2018 Play Conference

The U.S. Play Coalition is proud to introduce its 2018 PLAY award recipients, announced at the Celebration Gala of the 2018 Conference on the Value of Play.  Established in 2017, the awards program recognizes outstanding play researchers and youth practitioners.  The winners not only receive a physical award, but also have conference fees paid, hotel accommodations and up to $500 in travel to attend the Play Conference. The 2018 Joe L. Frost Award for Distinguished Research was… Read More

From The Playground

CEUs for Architects and Landscape Architects Available to Registered Attendees at The Play Conference

More than 18 hours of our sessions have been approved for LA CES credits.  Over 9 hours of our sessions have been approved for AIA learning units – two sessions also approved for HSW credits (NCBLA credits are pending too!). Check out these LA CES approved sessions below.  AIA designation indicated where applicable.  All are one hour unless noted: Effective Playground Protective Surfacing: The Key Element for Risk Assessment under the new ASTM F1487 (*3.5 hours,… Read More

News Stories Continued
Guest Blogs Continued

  • Community Visibility

  • Play Ambassador

  • Available Grants

Research

Action & Research Grants

Grant funding is a distinctive feature of our annual Play Conference, and we are proud to have awarded $47,000 in funding to date.  Through competitive funding opportunities, we offer both Action and Research Grants to playmakers and researchers whose work has the potential to improve and expand the Play Movement.

Available Grants

  • Research-Based Case for Recess

    research pdfs

  • The Critical Place for Play in Education

    research pdfs
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