• 2021 VIRTUAL Conference on the
    Value of Play: PLAY IS SURVIVAL

    Learn More

  • 2021 VIRTUAL Conference on the
    Value of Play: PLAY IS SURVIVAL

    Learn More

  • 2021 VIRTUAL Conference on the
    Value of Play: PLAY IS SURVIVAL

    Learn More

  • 2021 VIRTUAL Conference on the
    Value of Play: PLAY IS SURVIVAL

    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.

We are thrilled to announce the 2021 VIRTUAL Conference on  the Value of Play kicks off this spring!  This conference format, in response to the continued concerns of the COVID-19 pandemic, features LIVE headliners, dozens of recorded educational and research presentations and weekly networking events – all online from April 1 through June 30, 2021.

The latest research and practices in the field of play are presented at the conference, which brings together play researchers, park and recreation professionals, camp professionals, educators, health scientists, architects, landscape architects, designers, planners, business and community leaders, psychologists, physicians and parents from across the U.S. and beyond.

SAVE THE DATES!! 2022 Conference on the Value of Play will be April 2-6, 2022, in Clemson, SC.

2020 ONLINE Conference
on the Value of Play: PLAY FOR ALL
2021 VIRTUAL Conference
on the Value of Play: PLAY IS SURVIVAL

Communication

News & Press Releases

2021 Joe L. Frost Award for Distinguished Research Winner – Robin C. Moore

The U.S. Play Coalition is proud to announce the 2021 recipient of its annual Joe L. Frost Award for Distinguished Research.  This award is given annually in recognition of a body of exceptional research that has enhanced and expanded the study of play. Robin C. Moore is an urban designer and design researcher, specializing in child and family urban environments that support healthy human development, informal play, and non-formal education. He is professor of landscape… Read More

From The Playground

#BlackGirlMagic Monday Series Available ON DEMAND through Dec 31

Exploring the shared living experiences of Black girls and women through play is vital.  The hashtag #BlackGirlMagic is used to express not only excellence and brilliance of black women but has led young girls and women to inspire one another, activate contextual awareness and grow in power together. Join host Corliss Outley, PhD, for a series of presentations and conversations that explore the magic of Black Girls play, highlighting spaces where Black girls can experience… Read More

News Stories Continued
From the Playground Continued

Research

Action & Research Grants

Grant funding is a distinctive feature of our annual Play Conference, and we are proud to have awarded more than $60,000 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 (2019)

    research pdfs

  • Improving Children’s Health through Play (2018)

    research pdfs

  • The Critical Place for Play in Education (2015)

    research pdfs

  • PLAY Pulse

    research pdfs
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